On Sun., Nov. 16, 2008, 6 food baskets and many grocery store gift cards were shared with international communities in the Lehigh Valley–Karen(Burma) refugees and Allentown Arabic community. Guest speakers shared their stories of coming to America and told of ongoing struggles and hope here and in their home countries. Blessings to you as you celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends!
To everyone who has stepped up to a leadership responsibility, we say THANK YOU!! Ripple planning and preparation are going much more smoothly because all of you are pitching in. It seems that this is the way Jesus means for us to work together in community. Thanks,Tom & Carolyn
Carolyn is in Mexico from July 24-Aug. 6, and is delivering $150 of our Ripple donations to a clean water project. To read more about her trip, go to http://a-adventurer.livejournal.com.
Our meeting at The Terrace Restaurant included continued discussion about The Story of Zaccheus (Luke 19:1-10), feedback on a recently printed Ripple brochure, and ended with a “baby shower” for Robin & Mike (expecting later in June).
JAZZ SUNDAY
We enjoyed live jazz music by a Swarthmore College jazz combo, discussed poetry, jazz, art, listening skills, all related to the gospel story of Zaccheus (Luke 19:1-10). To what lengths (or heights in Zaccheus’ case) would you go to meet Jesus?
My suggested Ripple was to “bake something for a friend or neighbor.” I don’t bake, but I solved the dilemma by buying coffee and a carrot cake from a bake sale and taking it to some homeless men who hang out near where I work. I had the chance to explain Ripple to them and said I was part of a group that does these “ripples.”
One of our group members has encouraged me to take the bus to work instead of driving everywhere. I’ll be giving it a try in the near future, using my “Ripple” money for some of the bus fare.
I paid for the groceries of the elderly man in line behind me at the grocery store. He asked me why and I told him about Ripple and what we are trying to do–an idea, an action, a positive change.
We met for the first time at the Terrace Restaurant in Walnutport, and had some great discussions about the story of the Samaritan woman at the well and Jesus’ conversation with her. We welcomed a few new members to our group, and also discussed where to donate the money from this month. The food was great and the company was inspiring.
Our 8 year old neighbor attended Ripple with us, and she loves to go for ice cream. We had the chicken noodle soup that was given to us after the meeting, so I used some of my Ripple money to stop at the ice cream store so she could buy dessert for her family. When she got home, she announced, “Dinner’s on me!” Her grandparents were so surprised at the gift of a meal, complete with ice cream sandwiches for dessert.