Tomato Soup Recipe Feeds 150!!

October has been a busy month for us. We have been "practicing what we preach" about being servants in Corvallis. Our schedule had us doing everything from serving soup to international students to handing out Tootsie Roll Pops at OSU games. But our favorite ministry opportunity this month was for a group of kids on the south side of town.

Once a month we are scheduled to prepare dinner for 125 kids and 30 adult leaders at a small church with a BIG ministry. Southside Community Church began 10 years ago when health issues kept Steve (below right) and Tina from going overseas as missionaries. They identified a need to minister to the kids on the south side of town, kids whose families were struggling financially. They began a Tuesday evening club that feeds dinner to the kids and gives them a place to have fun and learn about Jesus. It is also a training ground for High School and College students to serve others in ministry.

Our group arrived at 4:00 to make grilled-cheese sandwiches and tomato soup for everyone there. We are learning to make food quickly, and in quantity. The piles of buttered bread began to stack up around Becky (at left), while Trudi and JoAnn took turns stirring the soup. Meanwhile, Gordon and Merle decorated the rice-krispy bars with candy pumpkins. All this as Rick kept barking orders to get things done on time and we all tried to keep from tripping over each other in the cramped quarters.

At 5:00 we began to serve the staff, and by 5:30 the kids started to arrive by the bus load. The kids came in, washed their hands, and loaded up with grilled-cheese and tomato soup. As you can see at the right, some of the kids needed a little help keeping track of all that food, and kool-aid too -- being a "grandpa" does come in handy when serving Jesus at Southside. (Good job, Merle!).

Everything went well that evening, and we were hailed as heroes for making the kids' favorite dinner. There was much joy and celebration! Oh, the rice-krispy bars with candy pumpkins on top helped to raise our status a little. Later in the evening we were all given a big "Thank You!" cheer by the kids.

It was gratifying to see our small band of "servants" take so much joy in giving up a Tuesday evening to bring joy to the kids on the south side. "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matt 25:40).

Thank you for praying for us at Servants' Fellowship.

Pictured from left to right: Trudi, Teresa, Becky, Gordon, Caroline, Rick, and Merle.
JoAnn was doing dishes when this picture was taken -- "Thanks, JoAnn!"