Saturday, June 14th, 2008 marked a very special day for a bunch of Young Working Adults of ACTS. What a sight it was to see our new breed of YWAs washing cars for FREE as part of the Acts of Kindness project for Fathers Day. Not only did they wash 5 cars. They also help jump start a car!
Most cars slowed down when they drove past the big placard held up by the ever smiling Pam. The drivers either had expressions of disbelief or curiosity! Many asked if it was for real. Many asked why we were doing this. Others even offered to give something in return for charity! J There was a dad who even bought the team drinks!
The car owners, mostly from the neighbourhood, included people of different faiths. And no one left without a wide and grateful smile on their face. ACTS Church Minizines were also handed out to these dads! To read more, go to….
A couple of lessons that one can learn from this whole experience:
1. People will be amazed at how and why one does a random act of kindness!
· Most people live life not expecting to be treated so special. Hence they will be somewhat “baffled” when a group of people actually go against the grain to be kind, even to strangers!
2. The person shown kindness to immediately opens up his or her heart to want to further connect with you (as you show kindness)
· A person amazed would simply give you the right to further speak to them and tell them all about why you are doing what you are doing. An impressed person is already a “half believing” person! J
3. In being treated so nicely, many feel like they have to give back something.
· And that is precisely the gospel in action when we tell them that they do not have to give anything back as what we do for them is totally free! (We cannot earn our salvation!)
- 4. Many are also suspicious about the “catch” behind it all.
· Well our “catch” is simply “fish”! J But it is not a return of favour that we are after here. Simply a gesture to express Christ’s love to them in a meaningful way, without even coercing or forcing them to come to church or converting them. J
5. A certain barrier that has separated a person (being shown an AOK) from Christianity/Christians, is immediately peeled away!
· A person may not immediately come to ACTS but is already one step closer to the light, just by having connected and spoken to a believer that shows him an AOK
6. The persons involved in the whole AOK project are thoroughly blessed themselves!
· This is usually the case. We are blessed to be a blessing. But we are also blessed to see others blessed! And learning more about how to wash a car well also is a blessing itself!
7. It takes boldness and courage
· Yes, anyone could have done it. But not everyone gets out of bed to do it! J Doing an AOK involves stepping out of our comfort zone. But a bold (sometimes “risky” act) is rewarded with results that will simply amaze you. God works through our obedience!
I close with this: It was interesting and “cute” to see how a couple even posed in a picture with the team with a “disbelief” expression. That kinda tells us of how comfortable they felt with the team! They are certainly one BIG step closer to our Father of Fathers! J
Love,
Pr Alex
