Open all of the Doors~ Renovo Sunday 7/22/07
July 24th, 2007 by Renovo Ministries
This past Sunday, I totally got blessed by God’s spirit at Renovo. It wasn’t a miraculous place, or a miraculous occasion; it happens every week in the fellowship hall of Trinity Episcopal Church. Sure, it’s a nice building, but it’s only a structure made to provide safety from the elements. The true shelter isn’t in the building; rather, it’s in the arms of God’s amazing love. We all gather in this place for food and fellowship. Sure the food is amazing, good job food preparationers, but the transcending joy comes from something much greater than spaghetti or peach cobbler. It comes from the Holy Spirit.
Renovo isn’t a soup kitchen; it’s more like a conversation/friendship kitchen. Every week I get to talk with guests who come to get a little grub. It’s always humbling for me to see the need for “basic necessities – like food” that exist in our community. We are called as believers to reach out and give a helping hand to those less fortunate. It is uplifting to be a part of this ministry; to see the smiles and delight on the guests faces when they sit back and slump in their chairs, beaming with the delight of a full stomach. If that was all I got to do, simply hand them food, I would still be blessed. I would be contributing to meet the needs of our community.
Renovo is about so much more than simply filling peoples’ stomachs. It is a relational atmosphere that fosters hope and joy. I’ve gotten to share a meal with many different individuals, and every time I stand up to walk away I feel like I’m going to miss something while I’m away; even if I only walk away to get a cup of coffee. It is encouraging to hear how God has brought them to Bloomington. Many guests have traveled around the world; they’ve seen things I’ve only imagined. They are full of “life,” but most are lacking in “love.” It is my privilege, along with all the other volunteers to be ambassadors of Christ and demonstrate Brotherly/Sisterly love. I honestly feel like I am building friendships, not simply helping the needy. Renovo is a relational ministry that goes the heart of the issue, which is to provide shelter for our souls. Only with God can we experience safety and security in the midst of the storm. No building, no man made structure, will give us the peace we long for.
Last Sunday, it was very apparent that God’s spirit filled the air. The doors were open, the children laughing, and the music was playing. It was so incredible to see a mass of people filling the courtyard. Kids played in the reflection/water thingy, and guests ate their meals while conversing over various topics. As I sat in my chair, at a table with other volunteers and guests, getting killed in a game of UNO, I looked through the windows and saw smiles that radiated from guests’ faces. There’s not a breadstick in the world that could cause that much joy, not a cup of lemonade that could cause the laughter. Whether they knew it or not, the Holy Spirit was moving and filling them with a peace and joy that only comes from our Father.
It is amazing to me that numerous guests tell me that they love Renovo. They say that it’s their favorite place to get food in town. Many individuals come back week after week, because they love the atmosphere, food, and fellowship. There have even been a few people that aren’t interested in food. They just stop by to check out what’s going on; there was a man from Holland who stopped by to see what was going on. Some individuals know what Renovo is, they know they can get food, but they choose to simply come and fellowship. I wonder if it’s because I’m just that cool, and these people want to come hangout with me. Ha, it’s because God is that cool, and his Spirit is alive!
Open the doors, step outside and let God become your shelter; this is the daily challenge that arises. I say, “Umbrella shmumbrella,” let the rain and wind come, because my soul is secure in the shelter of God’s love.
~Patrick Fisher, Media Leadership
