‘How could inviting the Foreign Secretary, First Secretary of State and local Constituency MP for Esher and Walton, Rt Hon Dominic Raab be such a relaxed, fun and joyful way to go out on a van run earlier this morning?’
Due to social distancing protocols we went
out with Mr Raab in a mini vehicular convoy instead of sitting together in the front cab of the Besom van. It is usually this time spent in the cab chatting and reflecting on their experiences that our time-givers value the most.
In the preceding ten days, the logistical exercise in planning the van run was no mean feat. Besom doesn’t publicise precisely what their recipients need as we rely on God prompting people to give at the right time to meet those needs. Neither do we actively fundraise for money with which we buy items. Nor can we control the timing of new incoming referrals or their geographical location. Would there be donations offered and needs matched in time for us to build a van run schedule on the date offered and committed to by Dominic Raab’s Parliamentary Office?
Unbridled Joy
So the build up to Friday morning included lots of prayer because of uncertainties, , hard work and the pressure of responsibility in getting the safety and logistics right for a high profile guest. As a team we decided to focus on the giver (the key principle of The Besom vision): we put Mr Raab (the politician) out of our minds and focussed on him as an individual who wanted to give us his precious time, and also provide a worthwhile opportunity for him to spend time learning about our ministry. Without answered prayers, the activities of Besom simply would not happen. Because the Besom vision and our faith call us to rely on God’s provision, we choose to trust that all will come together at the right time.. And this morning it did:our team’s prayers were answered! A formerly homeless gentleman suffering with cancer and relationship breakdown had been rehoused by Elmbridge Council and needed furniture. Of particular urgency was a bed and kitchen starter pack because all he had was an airbed and a TV in the flat. We don’t have storage facilities, so the precise matching of his needs with the timing and nature of the donations is where the donors, and the Besom team members , see God evidencing His loving kindness for the vulnerable and needy. It is truly a joy to see this happen!
This Friday morning, we discovered afresh that there is a lightness and a liberation in leaving God to attend to the details of the plan and to release His resources through any means He chooses! As a team we were free to love, care and bring hope to this vulnerable gentleman setting up his new home in West Molesey.
Despite the torrential rain, Mr Raab really got stuck in! Joy is infectious and laughter and smiles were shared between everyone. Even though we got soaked shifting the heavy mattress, chest
of drawers, starter pack and more up two flights of stairs to the waiting recipient, he was blessed with furniture and his gratitude in receiving sorely-needed items also blessed us as we saw that our service made a tangible difference to him. Not only that, but the whole morning left a mark on us too for the Besom team had been used by God to bless others, “….for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9: v7)!