Hope Spot 11 – Beg, sorrow or feel – Top 10

 I was at a mate’s place the other day when he said something I found very challenging.

He had given a Gifts of Grace gift …

… and was now receiving emails from ALWS. That is, from me.

He made a joke about me ‘begging for help’.

That really got me thinking.

I admit, I am very passionate about what you and I do together to help people through ALWS.

And after this last week in Ethiopia, I saw again how much you and I are needed, such sorrow – and just what a difference your kindness makes.

At the same time, I know how tough things are for many in Australia.

Floods. Drought. Cost of living. Saving for a house deposit. School fees.

So, when I share any ALWS action you can do, it’s simply an offer.

You’ll know in your heart if you can give, and if it feels right to help out.

Helping others should lift your heart with joy.

As I say to my Dad, if you feel grumpy about helping – don’t. It’s not the right time.

So, just in case you feel you can’t always donate as you’d like …

… let me share my TOP 10 ideas for ways you can be part of ALWS that are all FREE or CHEAP or EASY, but also PRECIOUS!

1. Table of Eight Book Launch

If you live in SA, come to the Adelaide launch of this amazing book about the beginnings of ALWS at Bonegilla Migrant Centre, and growth into places like Ethiopia. Simply come to ALC Chapel (corner Jeffcott and Ward Street, North Adelaide) at 8am this Saturday morning. It’s free. RSVP here Then stay for …

2. ALWS 75^th Thanksgiving Festival

This Saturday morning at ALC, you’ll enjoy music and entertainment, food and coffee, the Giant ALC Garage Sale, displays from lots of Lutheran ministries, last-time-ever tours of the grand Hebart Hall of ALC before it becomes a private residence, plus lots more, including …

3. Paul Sabel Plant Stall

You might recall Paul, and his church friends Rex and Claire, from their appearance on Gardening Australia. Watch here For two decades Paul has been propagating and growing plants that are sold at weekend markets. All proceeds go to ALWS. Come and grab some plants, have a chat with Paul, and help people through ALWS at the same time. If you still have energy, you can …

4. Walk My Way Adelaide

Join hundreds of others in stepping out so a child can step up – with school, food and safety. Take the 10 kilometre walk along the Torrens, or choose a 3 kilometre flat and easy amble around the beautiful autumn-hued streets of North Adelaide. Register at alws75.org.au There is a registration fee to cover costs, so that all the money you raise by having friends and family sponsor your Walk, can go to help children.

5. ALWS 75^th Thanksgiving Worship

Join us on Sunday 4 May at 10am at Concordia College Chapel, corner of Balmoral and Cheltenham Streets in Highgate., Adelaide. Songs, stories, scones (perhaps even pumpkin scones????) All welcome!

6. Walk My Way Brisbane

Just like Adelaide, you’ll help children as part of our 75,000 children to give thanks for 75 years of ALWS service campaign. In Brisbane, the special focus is helping children in Ukraine, by building underground schools on the front line in Kharkiv. You also provide trauma-counselling and play therapy. The Walk is on Saturday 10 May from QUT Garden Point Campus. Register here!

7. Become an ALWS Prayer Partner

Join 400 other members of the ALWS family who receive Prayer Points each month, so they can support specific ALWS projects and people with prayer. Click here

8. Invite an ALWS Guest Speaker

We love receiving invitations to share stories and photos about your ALWS action. You can invite us to your church, your fellowship group, and service clubs like Probus and Rotary. (You might be surprised by how closely Rotary and ALWS aims match.) Simply email alws@alws.org.au and let’s see what we can arrange.

9. Join Lives You Touch

A very precious way you can help people through ALWS, if you can’t donate now, is to leave an ALWS gift in your Will. It’s simple, and a beautiful way to show those you love, the values you hold precious. Reply to this email and we can send you a Lives you touch booklet so you can see the impact you can make. You can even have a chat with Julie, if you have any questions – juliek@alws.org.au

10. Just One Hour

Not everyone has time to volunteer, or lives around Albury where ALWS has our office. That’s why we came up with the idea of donating one hour of your wage / pension / pocket-money per month. It’s something everyone can do, and you can set it up so it happens automatically. We can even allocate your hour-per-month donation to the Australian Government 5:1 Matching Grant program, so your one hour donation each month works even harder. We call this program Just One Hour.

11. BONUS: Gifts of Grace

Yes, I know I said this was a TOP 10, but I always like to give you a little bit extra if I can. ALWS Gifts of Grace lets you give unique Christmas presents that also help people. It’s a wonderful way to show any children or grandchildren in your life the values that lead you to live your life the way you do.

So, as I told my mate who joked about me begging for help …

… I simply try to share clearly and openly what you can to help people who have been forgotten by the world … show you the results of your kindness … and thank God for whatever you feel moved to do.

And if that feels like I’m ‘begging’ … I do ‘beg’ your forgiveness.

Thank you for being a blessing ALWayS!

Each of you must make up your own mind
about how much to give.

But don’t feel sorry that you must give
and don’t feel you are forced to give.

God loves people who love to give.

2 Corinthians 9:7 (CEV)