Volunteer reflection from Fresh Food Distribution

Volunteer: James Murray

What has been encouraging to you as you served ?

One thing that has encouraged me with FFD is how over time God has opened the hearts especially of two of the families we bring food to. In the beginning we would just meet them and pass the food through the door, but with time they began to open up more and one family always invites us in to sit and chat – sometimes we chat so long we have to rush back before they close up the Yong En centre where we keep all the bags! It’s really special getting to share deeply in the lives of the people we serve, hearing them tell their stories.

What is one thing God has taught you through serving?

I think God has really taught me that He hears our prayers. Often I pray, but I half don’t believe that what I am praying for would ever happen – it seems impossible in my eyes. But then God just amazes us as He works unexpectedly to do what we didn’t think would ever happen. Remembering what Christ teaches about prayer in the Bible has encouraged me to pray with more faith, even when I don’t see things happening, knowing that God is able to do more than I ever ask, and He will act in His right time.

What is a story that comes to mind that has been unforgettable?

⁠One conversation that has stuck with me was one Saturday when the one Malay family we serve invited us in and we got to chat to them. The mother is a bit older and struggles with a lot of health problems. At that stage she was really close to passing away, and that week she was also very weak. She shared how she knew her life is in God’s hands and He would choose when to take her. As we continued to chat, eventually my friend and I felt to share from the Bible with them. I think that was the first time we opened the Bible in their house, and it was really special. We read from John 4, the woman at the well. The aunty really resonated with the idea that Jesus promises us living water. Since then as a family they have continued to be very open to hearing from the Bible and to prayer. It’s hard to tell how much they understand and how much they believe; often they might not feel comfortable to express their thoughts openly. But we’re really praying for their salvation! That’s something only God can accomplish.

What is one encouragement you have for a new volunteer signing up?

⁠I think I would encourage them to be both expectant and patient. It can be easy to just fall into a habit of coming every month and doing the same thing, having the same conversations. We forget how big a thing this is in the spiritual realm as God is using something as small and mundane as these short conversations through the door to open doors for the gospel of the glory of Christ to be heard. I often have to remind myself to pray for the people we meet during the month and before we go serve them, and then also to pray expectantly, hungering to see God work.

Anything else you would like to share?

⁠Another thing I’ve really loved about FFD is the richness of building relationship with the other volunteers in my pod. Often we pray together for each other, and they’ve been a real encouragement to me in my own walk with Christ.