11/3/2020
The Denver Dream Center is an organization that is an example of what it truly means to live out the mission you say you stand for. In every facet of the organization, that love is visible. From the employees and volunteers who have been welcomed to the team in spite of and because of their difficult pasts, to the neighborhoods that are loved on a continuing basis with love first and then meeting whatever needs are prevalent in that moment, to the community at large that is welcomed to events and given food, this organization truly delivers on the promises of Jesus’s command to love everyone.
I loved seeing the involvement the community has with this organization.
One project we got to be part of was taking pans of hot food donated by a local restaurant door to door in neighborhoods. Any house in those neighborhoods that wanted meals received an entire pan of meat and tortillas (or 2 if it was a big family). This ministry is done weekly.
What makes that possible is that local adults and families volunteer with the Dream Center each week. They come to build relationships with the families in those neighborhoods and to serve in a way beyond just bringing food. Love always comes first. To the Dream Center, food is secondary to making someone feel seen and heard and loved. I personally think it’s beautiful that Denver Dream Center brings so many people together and has a place for everyone.
I literally mean everyone.
As we went into a neighborhood that they’ve served in for a while, we met children who know exactly what it means when the Dream Center shows up. It was special to me when a mom and daughter in the neighborhood joined us to bring food around. They were taking their own pan home, which we saved on the wagon we were rolling around with, but they wanted to be part of bringing food to their neighbors. The little girl was around 7 years old, and she was excited to take us to the houses of her friends in the area, and she was incredibly bold to be willing to knock on doors and speak to strangers. I was touched by the fact that her mother went with one group and the daughter came with my group. Her mother trusts this organization so much that she would be willing to separate from her daughter, knowing she’s safe in our care.
I think those facts say everything that needs to be known about the Denver Dream Center and our time with them. In all the things we did with them, the trust and involvement of the community was so evident. This organization has truly made a home for itself in Denver, and it has truly made people feel at home with them.
The reason for this is evident in the people I mentioned in the beginning paragraph who work there. They are people from all walks of life who have chosen to come together in Denver to show God’s love to the people of the city. I’m thankful for the people I got to meet there, and especially for a man named Danny who very intentionally took the time to learn our stories and testimonies. I was thankful for the connection I had with him, and for the fact that he took the time to acknowledge me and make me feel welcome every time he saw me. His actions were genuine, never forced. I knew he cared. Other members of my squad connected with other members of the Denver Dream Center team. The connections were real and genuine because these people cared. They’re clearly in the right place, doing the work that God has called them to do. I pray for blessings and favor on this ministry as they continue to love Denver.
And in that, I know I’m challenged to go forth with the same kind of attitude, finding ways to really show God’s love to people in the way I was created to do so. We all have unique strengths, talents, and abilities. I challenge you to never let your gifts and talents be wasted. Find ways to use them to glorify God. You won’t ever find your time is wasted because we all know the blessing of doing something you love to show love to someone else.
