Meeting the Public and Serving Snacks

The Salvation Army's Annual Appeal still entails house-to-house collections in many areas, and somewhat reluctantly I spent some time last Tuesday evening collecting envelopes in Bexleyheath as part of our summer placement responsibilities. Whether collecting at the door is still the most effective means of fund raising is probably a discussion for another day, but I am always humbled by the generosity (mostly) with which the public deal with us, and support us.

I met one man who declined to give, albeit politely, because of a grievance he had with the Salvation Army over a property deal. There was nothing I could say to him other than express how sad it was that his experience was so negative.

Last Thursday evening we were leaving the quarters for another round of collecting when the local police called to say that a large fire had broken out on an industrial estate in Erith, and bottles of water were needed urgently for the fire crews. Whilst making arrangements to get the Salvation Army Emergency Response Unit to the scene we headed off for the nearest Asda store, filled the boot of the car with bottles of water, and went to where we were needed. I've attended a couple of these incidents now and it is always a humbling experience that offers an opportunity for meaningful ministry. The police allowed us through the cordons and we were able to get close to where the fire crews were preparing to tackle the fire - a little too close initially as some very nasty gas cylinders were still exploding when we arrived! Immediately we were greeted by a number of fire fighters who had already worked several hours and who were very pleased to take our drinks! A couple of hours later the SA's "official" van arrived and we were able to serve a variety of drinks, sandwiches and snacks to the members of the police, fire and ambulance services. A friend from college kindly drove out to bring me home just after 11pm, by which time we had arranged for others to cover the service through the night and into the next day.

It's about more than serving drinks and snacks, though. It's about providing a presence, and although the people working there have never met us as individuals before, because we are the Salvation Army they trust us immediately. "Teapot 1", as the van is affectionately known, became an informal rest area for the crews, and in just sharing small talk and jokes with them hopefully we were able to show that the Church is about getting alongside ordinary people, that Jesus is interested in the details of life.

I came away grateful to God for the opportunities He gives us for practical ministry, and grateful to have been called to serve Him in an organisation that, on the whole, is held in high regard and is often allowed to "access all areas". Maybe we don't always get it right, as my conversation with the gentleman I met collecting earlier in the week would seem to suggest, but the personal challenge for me is to be obedient to Christ and to take hold of all the opportunities of service He so graciously gives me.