Helen Keller once iconically said, “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” I’m constantly reminded of the truth in this quote while serving at OIM. Although we have a paid staff, we are completely reliant on our selfless volunteers: some of whom serve in roles such as street or door outreach but many serve in less visible roles. Their crucial service often goes unrecognized. Looking behind the scenes, the resources team alone puts in an average of 20 hours per week keeping things in the lower level organized. Not to mention all the hours dedicated to administration, donations, sandwich making, and the like.
Joanne Brousseau is one of our many lovely volunteers. I was chatting with her this week about her experience at OIM and would like to share her thoughts.
I asked Joanne why she first decided to volunteer at OIM. She answered, “I volunteer at OIM because I want to live my Christian faith, not just talk about it. If I love Jesus as much as I say I do then it stands to reason I love all people and want to help where I'm led. God led me to OIM through CHRI radio.”
I then asked her why she continues to volunteer so faithfully, to which she responded, “First, the sense of satisfaction of giving myself, to be a blessing to others. Second, OIM is not at all like any place I have been. All the people that work or volunteer there are genuinely loving, concerned, kind, grateful, and respectful. This makes coming in not at all like a job or task but a pleasure. The more I come, the more I want to come. And that's also why we are so successful. Because we live what we believe, and it shows. All for the glory of God AMEN.”
Our dear Joanne said it very well. Let us remember, we love because He first loved us.
All for the glory of God. Amen.
~Sarah, Resource Co-ordinator
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