As we visited, Keith told us about a new ministry that he, along with wife Shirley and their two daughters, had started. They had opened a food pantry at the Missoula Vineyard called
"The River" to feed their town's homeless and needy. Of course, that sparked our interest! We excitedly began to share about the
"Feeding God's Children" ministry back in Boise.
Keith was eager to hear about our involvement in Vineyard Boise, especially the details about Feeding God's Children. We told him how we had networked with a clothing store in Boise to donate new clothes to give away at the park. We encouraged him to pursue the same kind of relationships with businesses in Missoula. We also explained what we have learned about buying in bulk, how to work with a food co-op as well as trading canned foods with other relief agencies. We shared how our ministry is also involved with Bible distribution, prayer teams, building relationships, and just sharing the heart of Jesus.
Our hearts felt a connection with Keith and we expected to interact with him again. After saying our goodbyes in Anaheim he showed up two months later in Boise for the Vineyard's Regional Pastors' Conference. He attended the benevolence workshop again learning more about benevolence ministries throughout the
Northwest.
Keith and Shirley invited us to come to Montana to share about Feeding God's Children with his whole church. Tim and I love Montana and jumped at the chance. So over Labor Day weekend, we headed to Missoula.
On Sunday, we were honored to speak to Keith's congregation and share testimonies of how lives are touched each week at Boise's Julia Davis Park.
After the worship service, we joined with Missoula Vineyard's food ministry, appropriately called the
"Bridging the Gap," since the church serves food under a bridge at the local park. The team loaded up food, a grill and homemade cakes and headed for downtown Missoula. They liked our team's idea of making homemade soups and salads and planned to do the
same.
At the park, the group fed the homeless and gave out raincoats and care kits . The care kits were great! They included socks, underwear, toothbrush, comb, deodorant, razor, soap and washcloth Ñ as well as
"Welcome to the Vineyard" invitations.
We had a great time meeting new people and hanging out, and even had opportunities to pray with some of the homeless people who were just passing through town.
It was wonderful to see a budding church of 50 people reaching out in a very practical way in its community.
Serving God's children, feeding the homeless and sharing a hug is what we're called to do, no matter where we are in the world.
Keith and his church have also expressed a desire to develop a missions program at the Missoula Vineyard. We were able to get them connected with the Boise team that is heading to Ecuador in mid-October to finish a medical clinic in Cuenca.
Our trip to Missoula has helped build new ministry relationships as well as great friendships across the miles.
