So, its been slightly different lately. We decided to serve the homeless lunch once a month to start off the year. It has given us time to refocus and see God’s heart in this ministry, which is not only the people we serve, but from our end, the people who are serving. One of the ways we decided to do this was through seeking out different Christian ministries in Bloomington and providing ways for our volunteers to get involved with them. This month, we served the lunch at our new location downtown, participated in a Habitat for Humanity Build, helped out at Hannah House-a local crisis pregnancy center, and prayed for our university and community on a prayer walk. Here are some reflections on each of the events. We were so blessed by what the Lord did!

-Renovo Lunch-
Last Renovo lunch was already three weeks ago on September 2, and being in the new place it almost seems like a dream. But I remember it vividly. I remember being skeptical about this new space. How could a small rectangular basement compare with our beloved fellowship hall with round tables, and a courtyard? But where Christ goes, we follow, and what has been said about Christ being the life a place over and above anything else was proven dead on at our first Renovo lunch in the United Methodist Church basement. It has also occurred to that it might just be possible that moving Renovo is part of a bigger plan to touch all of Bloomington, to introduce restoration in every corner. But that’s all speculation, here’s what I experienced that Sunday: We are bustling about the kitchen when a familiar head pops in through the doorway, “You’re on our turf now!” Yeah, that’s right,
when Jesus came he pitched his tent right in among us.

After the logistics of where to set up everything got squared away, we all gathered around the kitchen counter to get the rundown, and to pray. As Ben spoke about the significance of this day being the year anniversary of Renovo as well as the first of a paradigm shift in the vision for Renovo, I began to realize how significant it really was. We have a new place and a new purpose. God wants to be close to these people. He wants to step in, into their home, transform their space,
and attend to their deepest hunger.

After eating, I sat back to soak it in. Andrew happened to be doing the same thing so I leaned over to ask him for his thoughts of the new setting. He used the words “more continuity..more like family.” There they were in their familiar place, but now here’s Matthew playing guitar in the toy room, Doug and Jonathan’s delicious food, the Tuszynski children running around with Jared, Andrew leaning in close for a conversation, Rodelyn and I playing violin outside, Ben roaming purposefully, Joyce making coffee, and other beloved brothers and sisters lending an ear, a hand, a smile. It was so wonderful to sit down with Susan again, especially to see her full of joy and enthusiasm. We are family.

“As you come to him, the living stone-rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him–you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priest-hood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”~1 Peter 2:4-5. I miss Renovo, and it feels like it has been too long, but my hope is that this the feeling across the board, and I can be assured that God already had this in mind, along with the purposes He has for this
extended time in between.

In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who makes our joy complete.
~Carrie Hoogland, Renovo Leadership

I was a little anxious about the set up of the new premises we would be using for the Renovo lunch. It was tricky trying to anticipate what facilities the new kitchen would or wouldn’t have, as well as the usual worry over whether the food would go down well with the guests and if there would be enough of it. Apart from an unpleasant abundance of flies (which I will be prepared to do battle with next time), the new kitchen was pretty great – in fact they leant themselves well to serving the guests food whilst seated at their tables, rather than have them queue up cafeteria style. I was also thankful of the willingness of the Renovo volunteers to help me finish with the food prep. But the greatest encouragement of all was seeing volunteers and guests alike sitting together, eating and conversing with one another. That’s what we’re aiming for after all; Jonathan and I are just glad that the food we help provides not only nourishment to the hungry but also a forum for fellowship.

“…let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18
~Douglas McHugh, Renovo Chef

-Habitat for Humanity-

I’ve always wanted to do a Habitat for Humanity Build before but never had a chance so I jumped at this opportunity. I’m SOO glad I did. It was definitely worth waking up at 6:30am on a Saturday. There were only a handful of us that went that morning so I didn’t think we would be accomplishing much, especially after I saw the size of the stacks of lumber they had prepped for us. Man was I wrong!

First project of the morning was to make “take-offs” (pieces that allow for other walls to branch off of another wall) and knocked those out pretty fast. After a quick snack break Andrew Hughes and I teamed up and started making special supports that go above doors and windows called headers. This was great for two reasons: 1) my hand was getting a little sore from hammering so I got a break and 2) I got to use power tools!! By lunch we had 2 or 3 walls framed and put together. Everyone was working together great!

We had a few more people show up after lunch and things really took off. We had 3 or 4 teams going and each one was putting together a whole wall in about 20 minutes. It was amazing to see how all of our combined efforts were getting the job done, especially after I had been so skeptical in the morning. Since we weren’t at the actual house site we stacked the walls up as they were completed. It was so awesome to see that pile growing as the piles of lumber were shrinking.

The real meaning of this build was about a lot more than just nailing boards together. It really hit me as I looked at the stack of the finished wall frames. I thought about the fact that a family who was in desperate need of a good home was going to be able to have one because of my small sacrifice. I felt humbled that God would use my small sacrifice of a few hours on a Saturday to help someone who I don’t even know have a much better life. I thought about how much a house really means, all of the great memories that I had at my house growing up. All of the birthdays and holidays I got to celebrate with my family there and how it is a place I can always go back to. I realized I did more than help build a house which is just a structure. I helped to build a home.
~David Pippenger, Renovo Volunteer

-Hannah House-
What an encouraging day! I was really blessed to see our team of ten working
to bless Hannah house. Folding baby clothes (so cute!), organizing rooms,
moving storage, dusting banisters, organizing paperwork, even gardening!! In
three hours our team was able to accomplish so much. The staff and
volunteers at Hannah House are no strangers to hard work, and I’m glad we
were able to reduce their work load a little this fall.

One of the most encouraging things was seeing the community develop between
our team. After the work was done someone suggested we do lunch, then
someone else suggested we hit up the chocolate moose for ice-cream. This is
one of my favorite things about Renovo, as our team spent that afternoon
together I once more saw friendships being beginning on a foundation of
serving and loving our Lord Jesus Christ.
~Benjamin Wories, Renovo Leadership

-Prayer Walk-
Honestly, I like talking to God. Well, maybe I just like talking, but God listens just as much, okay better, than anyone else. I especially enjoy talking to Him with others and listening to them affectionately and passionately beckon the ear of our Lord and God. For the first time, with more chances to come, Renovo offered the opportunity for a group to gather together and talk with God and each other about our campus and this town. As the rather warm September air swirled around us, we made our way from ECC to Kirkwood, stopping at various locations to pray in specific ways about the hurts and struggles, joys and lives of Indiana University and Bloomington. We prayed for the residence halls, the Greek system, professors, classes, campus ministries, the party/bar scene, and the homeless population. As we walked on, friendships were made, eyes were opened, heads bowed down, hearts humbled, and passion ignited. It was a unique experience I’ve never felt before in prayer. I truly felt as if we were quietly raging a war on behalf of others against the powers of darkness of this world. As we stood across from a crowded bar, hands interlocked, something in my heart soared for this place in a way it never has before. God is after this university and this town. He wants it for His glory and it was beautifully displayed through the prayers and supplications of His people that night.

~Leslie Kerchief, Renovo Leadership

There’s something powerful about joining together with other Christians and praying for great things. I think God loves it when we are united and when we trust that he is strong enough to answer even our biggest prayers.

On the Renovo prayer walk last week, about a dozen of us walked all around campus, stopping to pray for various groups and situations along the way. We prayed together for the dorms, the Greek communities, academics, night life, Christian organizations, people of other religions, and more. For me, the best part of the prayer walk was the way a single prayer of faith inspired more faith and more prayers, until by the end of the night we were boldly declaring the truth of Christ and claiming his promises for us and the world. I know God was pleased, and I was certainly inspired to believe God more by hearing the believing prayers of my friends.

I came away from the walk convinced that prayer is changing things at IU and in Bloomington. Like Jesus said, the harvest is plenty but the workers are few. We all must be open to God’s leading in physically ministering with people on campus, but a lot of the work will be done through the fervent prayers of God’s children. God has great things in mind for our community–I hope you’ll join us in praying them into reality.
~Beth Overhauser, Renovo Leadership
——————————————–
As you can see, we’re excited to see what else the Lord has in store. Currently, we are developing an outreach to children in Cresmont, a government subsidized housing location on the outskirts of Bloomington. ECC used to have a ministry there almost 7 years ago and we are looking forward to renewing the minstry there! If you’re interested in getting involved, have any questions, or have an opportunity to share with us, please send us an email at renovo.ministries@gmail.com. Ask for Andrew or Amy! We are PUMPED about Christ’s work and we’d love to serve alongside with you! Be blessed!

“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”~Romans 15:5-7

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