Volunteer Story: Life Transformation

I was born into a world of fear and spent my entire childhood, teenage years, and most of my twenties trying to find a way out of my dilemma. I knew that fear was not natural and that the side effects were debilitating, but it seemed to have an unrelenting grip upon my mind. I was a prisoner. I managed to get through high school and one year of college but I continually felt insecure. I did not have any confidence and was hopeless about the future. I suffered numerous bouts of depression that prevented me from completing the advanced degree I was pursuing.

I instinctively knew that prayer was the only way out of my desperation. If God did exist I needed to know now! And to transform my life into something different.

I married young and started having children and thankfully my husband was a believer. He knew what our family needed so we moved to Texas to start over. That was my beginning of desperation and loneliness.

Church became essential in my life. I accepted Christ while walking through a dark time with my son sick and in the hospital and watching His healing touch heal my boy day by day. I gave my life to Christ and watched my life transform.

It hasn’t been easy! In fact I’m currently working for Feed the Need Missions where we feed people physically and spiritually. I have learned through this process of serving others that God’s love is way more than we can ever fathom, but we can try and be more like Him and walk out our faith by serving others. I’ve learned to desperately call upon Him, and to teach others about Jesus.

In the New Testament, the Greek word for transformation is metamorphosis. The definition of metamorphosis is “a profound change in form from one stage to the next in the life history of an organism, as from the caterpillar to the pupa and from the pupa to the adult butterfly.”

A caterpillar is born already possessing the life that will cause it to become a butterfly. Although an outward change does occur during metamorphosis, it’s the result of an organic change from within. A caterpillar doesn’t put on a butterfly costume or strive to act like a butterfly. As long as it eats, a caterpillar can trust in the metabolic process to assimilate those nutrients into its body and cause it to grow. Eventually, it undergoes metamorphosis and becomes a butterfly. Have you made that change from within?

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Site Updates: Serving During Social Distancing

This is an uncertain time for all of us. Feed the Need Missions is doing our part to help ensure the health, safety, and food security of all of our sites and communities. We’re focused on the needs of the people we serve. We’re incredibly thankful and blessed for the outreach from our community wanting to support these efforts!

Feed the Need Missions is continuing to work with partners across our service areas to find innovative ways to serve our friends and neighbors. We currently changed our focus to provide a safe “to-go” serving style. As guests arrive in their car, or on foot, they are handed a meal to take home. Janice said, “I am thankful you guys are still doing this. With hours cut back at work this is going to help us get through. You guys have been a blessing to Stanley and me for a long time. Right now, we are in desperate need of prayer and food. We were worried you weren’t going to be able to do this.”

We understand that during this time our communities need to be served physically and spiritually more than ever before. Current volunteer sessions are being kept much smaller than traditional volunteer groups. This is to best accommodate the social distancing guidelines, while still serving our community safely. We will continue serving in this time of need and are so grateful for the support we’ve received in doing so. If you would like to serve with us during this time, please contact Jason Bray for important information on ways you can be involved.

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Meet A Volunteer: Timothy

Timothy and his family live in the Ukraine. They helped host our Feed the Need Missions team that went to the Ukraine in October of 2019. After the Ukraine trip, Timothy had the opportunity to visit the US. While he was visiting in Smithville, Texas, we got to meet up for dinner and shared more about the vision and heart of Feed the Need Missions.

Being in Smithville he had the opportunity to serve at the Smithville site. “I love to tell people about Jesus,” he said, “especially to those that listen,” he winked. Timothy spent time with a group of teenagers explaining the gospel and his culture back in the Ukraine.

Timothy loves the mission and vision behind Feed the Need Missions and is wanting to start a site in the Ukraine. Now that he has hands on experience, he’s even more excited to get something off the ground in his country. Pray with us for God’s guidance as we encourage and help the Ukrainians fulfill Jesus’ last words: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”– Matthew 28:19

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Meet A Volunteer: Bryan

Bryan was one of the first volunteers that was baptized at Feed the Need Missions during one of our feeding sites. Bryan is married with two boys and plays a big part in our disaster relief team. When he was baptized he turned around and baptized his wife, Brittanie.

“I finally understood the gospel when I went on a disaster relief trip. I saw all the people hurting but the way Feed the Need Missions served the people and loving unconditionally changed my heart.” he said.

What an incredible experience it was to see true transformation and a heart for Jesus.

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Volunteer Story: Meet Jeremy

Whether you’re helping to hand out hot meals at a soup kitchen, Feed the Need Missions, or another non-profit organization, your time and energy are valuable to both the clients and the staff. Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community.

Jeremy is a new volunteer who has been serving faithfully at our Lake Bastrop Acres site. He is also finding his place as a new follower of Christ. Feed the Need Missions has helped him realize the difference between having much and having little. “People have it way worse than I have it,” he said. “It opens your eyes to a better understanding of what real life struggles look like. The people are willing to give up so much when they have so little. They don’t complain when we get low on food and they are always so appreciative.”

At Feed the Need Missions we are so thankful for people like Jeremy who take the time out of their busy lives in order to serve others. Volunteers provide a valuable service for non-profits like Feed the Need Missions. The lack of resources that is needed for the communities we serve, puts a strain on our small staff team. He said, “The smile on their face after giving them a burger is pure enjoyment. Why wouldn’t anyone want to serve with you guys? God wants us to love others and to share His love and this is a great way to do it.” 

Come out to one of our locations and be a part of the great work the Lord is doing!

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Meet A Volunteer: Keith

Keith has been serving at the Justin site for a little over a year. “I was brought up catholic and never really got into church after I grew up. I started using right out of High School. I was partying with family and friends until I was 25 years old. I put myself in rehab and I knew if I put myself there and could stay clean for the 2 weeks I was there, I could pull through,” Keith said.

After rehab he started working as a rancher and got saved seven years ago. He went all in for Jesus and decided it was best for him and his now ex wife and son to move to Texas for a better living environment. “The passion that God was showing me was so overwhelming I needed to listen to where He wanted me to go, so we went,” he said.

Keith heard about Feed the Need from Josh, who is a leader at the Justin site. Josh is also a leader in celebrate recovery where Keith is a part of too. “He told me about Feed the Need Missions on and off for a year or so. Things happened in Bridgeport and doors got closed so I moved to Denton. When I moved I got involved with Feed the Need Missions. I can now share my testimony of using drugs for 10 years, to the person I am today,” he said with excitement.

“I love Feed the Need Missions. I think people should come and experience it too, and get involved,” Keith said. “The smile on kids face and being able to pray with people and cry with people when they are struggling is what it’s all about, just being there like Jesus would.”

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Meet a Volunteer: Jaynet

Jaynet has been coming to the site for almost a year not just for food, but also for friendships. “A friend from First Baptist Church Justin was delivering Thanksgiving baskets (Gobble Kits) last year and there was a Feed the Need Missions flier in there. I wasn’t wanting to come out for the food, but the lady told me some people come out just to visit,” Jaynet said.

She loves to bring cookies with her every week to bless those who come through the line for food. “I was use to blessing folks with cookies, and thought delivering to Feed the Need Missions would be a great way to start building relationships,” she said. And it has. It also helps her to get out of the house once a week. And she said, “cookies make people smile and I like to make people smile.”

“Feed the Need Missions has allowed me to meet and get to know people I never would have met before. I am 81 years old and like to serve others. I sometimes stay for the video at the end (Table Talk).” Jaynet has grown by being able to bring a smile to others. It fills her heart with so much joy that she continues to bring cookies every week and enjoys a burger while fellowshipping with others.

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Meet a Volunteer: Donna

Donna has been serving with Feed the Need Missions over the past few months when she’s in Bastrop. She has attended the last two Galas and this year will be attending her third. “My mom has brought me back to Bastrop because of her health. I went for the training and when I’m in Bastrop I come to serve and participate,” she said. “I currently live in Florida. My husband is involved serving and I wanted something more to do while I’m here in Bastrop.”

With a joyful heart Donna shared this “I’m starting to build relationships little by little. I had the impression there wasn’t as many homeless in Bastrop. I am learning more about people that I wouldn’t usually talk to. You guys are meeting more than just a physical need. Your helping with social, and emotional needs as well. I am grateful to be here with my new friends. It brings me a lot of joy.”

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Meet a Volunteer: BRANDY

Brandy has been serving at the Justin site since 2017. Her and her husband Daniel accepted the Site Coordinator role this past year. Brandy has struggled with addiction and depression throughout her young adult life. The past three years Brandy has been working diligently to get her life back on track.

Because of her transformation, her struggles are far less dramatic compared to when she first started serving with Feed the Need Missions. “I have come to realize I truly am a new creature in Christ and the OLD really has GONE. Today, I focus on moving past what I used to be, and growing more into who I want to be. Feed the Need Missions has offered encouragement and accountability in my victories and struggles. It has truly become my forever family,” she said.

Feed the Need Missions has led her to grow in Christ by offering a discussion with lessons during Table Talk each week. Brandy said, “It has inspired my growth through scripture, fellowship, and prayer. I have grown in Christ through this ministry by loving volunteers and others who participate in the community.”

“I am gratefully thankful for Feed the Need Missions in helping me see who I really am, learning more about Jesus, and the transformation that has happened in my life.”

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Meet A Volunteer: Cindy

Cindy was born and raised in Mississippi. After 27 years of marriage and three beautiful adult children, she found herself divorced and alone. The downward cycle in her life started. She began to question her own worth, feeling thrown aside her whole life.

“After several years of self pity I put myself back into Church” she said. Every Sunday, she kept feeling this little tug, “Do something, Anything.” Cindy wasn’t sure what that “something” was so she ignored it for some time, knowing she needed to give of herself in some way.

A little over a year ago, after emptying her home and selling almost everything she had, she moved to Bastrop to be closer to her kids. Life can get very lonely living in a town where you are a stranger. Cindy would see her kids once a week or so, but had no other commitments the rest of the week. One day, she bit the bullet and came to a training to learn more about Feed the Need Missions.

“I have been with Feed the Need Missions around nine months now. Getting involved changed my perspective. It’s very easy to lose proper focus and dwell on the wrong things. It’s so easy to feel sorry for yourself. Until which time you realize, you have everything you need in Jesus. Getting involved helped me see that,” she said.

“At the site, I am amazed at our volunteers. I see the love in the eyes of each helper, something that didn’t happen over night but has taken time to develop. The hugs and the laughs and the tears are priceless. In the short time I have been a part of Feed The Need Mission, I have seen more and more people stay for Table Talk, because they want more. I see more people sharing their story because it is a very loving and comfortable setting. It has always amazed me, that it doesn’t matter if one person wants ten burgers and ten hot dogs, we never run out! That is Divine, not proper planning. Gods work is being done,” Cindy said.

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