Matthew 10:42: And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.

This past week, we read about Jesus’ admonition to us to provide for those in need, and to do so with cheer and a kind heart, as this will surely lead to our reward. Thanks to our annual participation in BSAFE, the youth day camp for kids in Boston, providing nourishment (and water) also leads to all kinds of other wonderful rewards, including quality time spent with each other, preparing food and enjoying each other’s company, serving the children, and being part of their joyful community for a few days.

But providing meals for 100+ kids and counselors for three days is no easy feat—and that’s why I write to ask for your help. We need lots of hands on deck to make the food prep and serving possible and stress-free. if you can participate, here’s what we need: on Sunday, July 16th, we’ll gather after the 10am service in the kitchen to prepare the hot meals for Monday and Tuesday’s lunch. On Monday the 17th, I’ll need a couple of helping hands to pick up the food, drive it down to Roxbury with me, prep it in the ovens, and serve it to our BSAFE kids at St. A&M Church on Lenox Street. Warming and carrying food out to the kids and counselors, you can’t help but get caught up in their contagious energy as they dive in to what is (for many) their only solidly nutritious meal of the day. They’re funny and sweet and love the food! Usually we leave the church around 10:30, get to St A&M at 11, and head out after all cleanup is done around 1:30.

Tuesday the 18th, I teach class at Merrimack at 1pm, so will need someone to cover delivery and prep that day at St. A&M. All the food will be pre-made on Sunday, so you just need to pick up, warm up, serve and enjoy! On Friday, we need more hands and hearts to attend the full-day field trip (approximately 9am-3pm) to serve the rollups, pasta salad, and brownies I’ll be putting together with the help of our partners at Good Shepherd in Waban. That day, we’ll enjoy Carson Beach with the kids, painting their faces and doing hula hoops and chalk drawing. It’s a lot of fun, and the more we have, the more kids we get to interact with and enjoy. They are delightful, interesting, funny kids—and I’m not really a KID person 🙂 but helping last year was a highlight of my summer. Won’t you help to make it one of yours, too?

Please email me at susmarine@gmail.com to let me know how you can help ‘give cups of cold water’ and so much more. Or, phone me if that’s easier!

Blessings to all,
Susan Marine