Faith in Action Sunday Furnishes Health Kits for MCC

Dinuba Mennonite Brethren church in Central California was making plans for their Faith in Action Sunday May 4. After a brief, early-morning worship service the congregation would head to Dinuba High School for two hours of hands-on “worship,” serving their community.

The school had provided the church with a long list of projects, from installing irrigation and planting flowers, to painting stadium bleachers. From sorting drama costumes to bringing a renewed shine to the school’s trophy cabinet.

That was all great for the younger able-bodied and energetic church members, but what about the seniors or those with physical limitations? What could they do?

Pastor Jim Aiken checked in with MCC. Was there a project that would give their seniors a meaningful activity? Of course. Health kits are currently one of MCC’s biggest needs, so 300 empty health kit bags were delivered to the church.

On May 4, while most of the congregation converged on Dinuba High campus, some 40 people gathered in the church fellowship hall around tables piled with soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste and other kit supplies. Soon all the materials were all neatly packed in the drawstring bags ready for delivery to a hospital or orphanage overseas.

The supplies came from several sources. A local dental supply warehouse donated tooth brushes. Around $300 came in from gifts from the congregation, but costs for the materials would be close to $1,000.

A 90+-year-old member of the congregation approached Pastor Jim. “I can’t help work on the kits, but I can help pay for them,” she told him. “When you have bought all your supplies, let me know how much it will be and I will make up the difference.”

So Faith in Action Sunday involved the gifts of everyone in the church. Some planted and painted, meeting a local community need, while others worked to met needs around the world. Truly it was Faith in Action.