by Amanda Kaufer
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me… Matthew 25: 35-36
I have had the pleasure of coordinating the meal ministry at Calvary for the past ten years. I initially took the role because I was looking for a way to serve the body while still working part-time and keeping my two tiny humans alive. The role fit my organizational skills and my love of encouraging others. I couldn’t always provide a needed meal, but I could definitely help connect those who could.
During the past ten years, I have seen Calvary women provide meals for illness, new babies, adoption, Children’s Heart Project, and a variety of other circumstances. So far in 2023, around 40 families have provided 60 meals. The requests come in a variety of ways, with the most common being a friend asking for a friend. It’s sometimes hard to ask for help, but I would encourage you to reach out, as allowing others in the body to use their gifts is a blessing.
I want to thank all of you who have signed up over the years to Take Them a Meal. It is such an encouragement to me to witness how Calvary strives to care for those in our midst. Providing a meal not only meets a physical need, but can also free up some much needed mental space in times of trial. If you don’t get the e-mails with links to the meal calendar, Kathy Martin at kmartin@calvaryefree.church, can help get you signed up.
Thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ.
Testimony from the Norman Family…
The Norman family recently was a recipient of this ministry. During a difficult summer of recovering from surgeries, Kristy Norman shared what this meant to her family. “We were so grateful for the support of our church family and friends during the difficult time after surgeries. A warm meal, encouraging words and being cared for by others really helped lift our spirits and remind us we’re not alone. Our kids looked forward to the meals with thankful anticipation, while Aaron and I felt relieved, humbled and nourished — physically and spiritually.”
Amanda Kaufer is married to Steve, and they have two children, Hannah and Nathan. They have been in Rochester almost 20 years. She is a part-time Hardware Engineer at IBM and a full-time Uber-Driver/Biggest Fan of my kids. She loves reading, doing jigsaw puzzles, walking, warm drinks, outdoor fires, and traveling.