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August 2009  What's in your attic?
Think about it: Our attics, basements, garages, storage units and even our living rooms and workplaces are home to dozens of items we no longer use or even need. Building materials left over from that renovation project last year; clothing and foodstuffs picked up on sale last summer but never used; that table or chair no longer needed because a newer one is now taking its spot; bicycles and toys that have been outgrown; those 'bargain' books you'll never read again; even old Bibles… I am sure you will agree that we have so much stuff that we do not use or simply can do without. The total value of all the unused or unneeded items 'gracing' our homes and workspaces would reach into the millions. Yet, in the pew next to us or in the house next to ours, there might be a person who needs exactly what we no longer do. And it is this idea - that the local church is sitting on 'treasures' that someone else needs - that is the essence of a simple yet dynamic strategy called the Week of Bounty. Dozens of local South African churches have participated in the Week of Bounty individually over the past decade. But, in May 2009, World Mission Centre launched a National Week of Bounty in South Africa in order to assist local churches - little and large, poor and rich - in meeting the needs of the poor and needy in both their churches and local communities.  To initiate this year's national Week of
Bounty, a first-time event held during Pentecost Week (24-31 May 2009), I wrote a book simply-entitled "Week of Bounty". Published in early 2009, complimentary copies were sent to 2000 pastors and church leaders across South Africa and many decided to participate.Other churches that had not received the book decided to participate as well when they found out about it through the positive reporting of a variety of Christian magazines and newspapers. Even the Community Police in Mossel Bay encouraged their community to get involved - what a blessing to see such structures join with the Church in an effort to make a difference in society!  In preparation for the Week of Bounty, participating local pastors asked their members to go through their homes and businesses for anything they no longer used or could do without, and bring it to the church during the week of May 24-31.
The reports that are coming in are amazing to say the least. In a time of hilarious giving (2 Cor. 9:7), thousands of people have been blessed across the country: the givers, the receivers and intermediaries who got to actually hand out the tangible gifts. 
Here are some of the many comments we have received from churches and people involved:
It was a week of generous giving. People gave out of hearts full of love, for they gave their best belongings of all kinds. We received clothes for children and adults, electric stoves, television sets, bedding, shoes, pots, dishes, lady's handbags, canned goods, typewriters, walking sticks, toys, bicycles, Bibles, books, prams, blankets and packets of rice. One small church not only gave out goods to those in need but also set up a soup kitchen that gave their new friends a hearty meal. We allowed 10 people to come in at a time to each take 10 items - we provided boxes and bags to make carrying their gifts more convenient. Thank you for sharing the "Week of Bounty" project with us, it gave us an opportunity to bless the less fortunate with God's love and grace. The joy on the children faces when they received a toy was touching!!! There was visible joy among those that brought their goods. The goods keep flowing in!  I was worried that we would not get enough goods to provide for all those in need but soon the tables were overloaded. When we opened the door, we saw such a crowd of people waiting to receive from the Hand of the Lord! One lady who came was scheduled to undergo an operation to remove a cancerous growth. We prayed for her - the following week we were told that the doctors who had operated could not find a trace of cancer and simply sewed her back up! She is now home praising the Lord for her healing! The joy on the faces of people that received food parcels, clothing and many other items was amazing. A small church of less than 100 members provided food, clothing and blankets for 430 families. The Week of Bounty has helped us to form a new partnership with another church and her members who work in a poor and needy community. Praise the Lord for touching so many lives through this one week of "hilarious giving"! A church in Russia has also held their first Week of Bounty this year. And the first Week of Bounty will be held in the USA at the end of July. Let's pray that the Lord will extend this significant, yet simple strategy around the world so that many people in need may see the love of God in His Church among them. Thank you for praying for the Week of Bounty. The Lord's richest blessing, Willie Crew <<< Back to News |
