Eat, Pray, Love
Last week, with one of our weekly outreach teams, we tried something a little different. Along with bringing gift bags, encouragement, and prayer to the women out there, we set up a grill and served hot dogs and hamburgers right there on the street. That simple idea turned into God showing up and moving in such powerful ways for everyone involved.
Every week, teams go out to meet women right where they are, reminding them that they are seen, valued, and loved. Outreach has always been about building relationships and showing compassion, but adding a free hot meal for people opened the door to even more conversations and connections. As the smell of burgers and hot dogs filled the streets of Colfax, people began to come. Some were experiencing homelessness, others were families facing difficult financial circumstances, and others were anything in between. Many simply stopped by for a meal, a conversation, or a moment of prayer. What stood out most was how quickly a simple meal created opportunities for connection. We were even able to quickly connect with a local auto shop that offered us a place to set up on the street and provided tables and chairs for people to gather more comfortably.
Throughout the evening, we were able to pray with people from all different backgrounds and circumstances. Some shared personal struggles, some asked for safety or prayer for loved ones, and others simply thanked us and expressed much gratitude for us being there. In a place where many people feel overlooked or forgotten, being present and willing to listen made a meaningful difference.
God moved in so many unexpected ways throughout the evening. For example, someone drove up about halfway through the night and generously donated two boxes filled with sandwiches and bananas. He said he had just finished an event and had all this extra food he didn’t know what to do with. We were running out of burgers and hot dogs to give out, so the sandwiches allowed us to bless even more people with food. At 11:00 p.m. on a Saturday night, in the midst of the busyness of people's schedules, God sent exactly what was needed.
One of the most beautiful parts of the evening was seeing how something as simple as a hamburger or hot dog became a tangible expression of God's love. Through food, conversations, and prayer, we were reminded that ministry often happens in the simplest moments and that every person is shown the value they have in God’s eyes. Thank you for making this outreach possible.
