Last autumn we enabled a local church, King’s Church Walton (KCW), who wanted to serve those in need in their community by providing them with a garden clearance project for a single parent family.
Over the past 10 months it has been good to see that so many have realised we can alleviate needs around us with small acts of kindness. For some this has been through the Besom Network.
What do you do with compassion when God stirs up a desire to do something more?
….Pray before you act
KCW have supported the work of Besom practically as well as prayerfully for some time gradually becoming more familiar with our way of doing things. They are keen to be a benefit to the communities they are a part of and have prayed particularly about their response. Besom was ready to support them in the next stage of their journey.
….Listen for His response and test your thinking
Coming face to face with need, a group from KCW approached us after the project completed. Arising from conversations with the Mum and learning about the struggles she faced in caring for her family, the idea grew of providing fresh fruit and vegetables to supplement the dried/tinned goods she gratefully received from the local Foodbank. This would provide variety in their diet and make dinners more enticing for the children. Perhaps there were other families who could also benefit? They explored with Besom whether this could be another project, so we asked our social workers whether their clients would welcome this and agreed how we would maintain confidentiality. Meanwhile, KCW approached Foodbank with their suggestions.
….Go on a journey of faith
After much prayer, KCW believed God was leading them to start a small 5 week pilot scheme to bring Fresh Food Bags to those struggling with debt. Besom ran an induction meeting (over Zoom) to brief the group participants. This included safeguarding, Covid-safety, logistics and guidance on how to speak appropriately with recipients.
Liaising with a local greengrocer, ourselves and the Walton and Hersham Foodbank, they funded and packed attractive bags of produce each Monday morning, prayed for the bags and our recipients. Then headed out to make contactless doorstep deliveries in pairs, listening to how they were keeping and offering encouragement. Further bags were dropped at the foodbank for their clients
As a final flourish, in the last week, they bought and gave beautiful Christmas Hampers! Now they are considering how to develop the scheme in 2021.
Some reflections from the KCW team:-
“I think that the pilot is a great start to the conversation about how King’s can form connections and friendships with the neighbours in our community. I am also grateful for the guidance and direction of Besom, so that we learn how to work with vulnerable people”
“I think it’s been a great scheme: brought joy & a feeling of support to the lives of those who are struggling financially & emotionally.”
“Praying together for the bags and recipients has been a highlight.”
and a lovely response from one of the Food Bag recipients (for whom we also urgently purchased a replacement cooker in time for Christmas):-
”Hi, OMG, Cooker delivered its fantastic, thank you The Besom in Esher for making all these good things happen and your hard work organising everything… I realise the world has been turned on its head and life is on hold for some time. Thanks again truly everything you have done was the lift I needed to push on with my life… never too old. Christmas Greetings. Jackie” (*name changed to protect identity)
Final Thoughts
We’re really excited about the relationship with King’s Church – facilitating individual and group giving when we are approached is what we are all about! We can see God at work within a fellowship who have committed to serve their community and asked Him for inspiration and creative ideas. We loved supporting them in understanding what He is calling them to do for his Kingdom.
Please contact us if you or your Church have an idea of what God may be inviting you to do as we would love to pray and enable you to accomplish it.