More Than the Ringing of Bells

November 4, 2014

As our journey continued, we made our way to Tyler, Texas.  The week before heading to Tyler we contacted the volunteer coordinator with the city to seek out opportunities in hopes of lending a hand while we were in town.  Immediately we received a response back from Jennifer, the volunteer coordinator, at the Salvation Army of Tyler, Texas.  She enthusiastically invited us to meet with her when we arrived and we discussed some possibilities where we could contribute.

We arrived to meet her first thing Monday morning at the Salvation Army of Tyler's campus.  We found her energy and passion nothing less than contagious.  She welcomed us with open arms and introduced us to the entire team that we would be serving with for the day.  We learned that this organization does so much more than we ever realized.  They are more than just ringing bells at the store front during the Christmas season, they are truly changing lives.  Everything from the Angel Tree Kids at Christmas, which helps around 1,000 families in the Smith County area, to taking food out into the community to feed the hungry, they are committed to our communities across America and in 126 countries!  We learned that this organization began over 150 years ago in England as a man, William Booth, saw the homeless and hungry and decided to act.  He believed that he alone could impact the lives of others and did so by making soup in a big kettle to serve in the street.  This kettle would soon be a recognizable icon for the Salvation Army among communities, keeping it in touch with its roots and humble beginnings.  This “not so” random act of kindness by one man, William Booth, launched a worldwide effort to care for the less fortunate in our communities.  Their mission “doing the most good,” is a mission we could all live by, and we were blessed to have had the opportunity to work with such a wonderful organization. 

Our family had the privilege of helping with the Angel Tree project.  We organized the tags of every girl in the community that would have a Christmas blessing because of the generosity of the Smith County community.  While we have never met any of these children, we somehow felt connected to each name we read.  We talked as a family during this process about how humble their wants were, how their needs were things we take for granted, and how so many families have so little.  

After finishing up with the Angel Tree tags, our gracious host, Jennifer, guided us on a detailed tour of their impressive facility.  Tyler’s Salvation Army is unusual in the sense that their facility is rather large for such a small town.  We saw everything from the chapel that offers full services including a coffee shop, dorms that house over 220 homeless individuals, food bank/donation center, retail store and classrooms for the various after school programs they provide to the children of the community.  They even offer an inpatient substance abuse program, which offers a high rate of success.  To say we were blown away would be an understatement.  The variety and the level of services they offer are world class and it is evident when speaking with the staff, the many other volunteers, and conversations with the many people this organization serves. 

The tour of the facilities led us to the soup kitchen, where we would have the privilege of serving lunch.  This was our first opportunity in a soup kitchen and we were all very excited and eager to serve.  We all had a part to do, working the line, serving drinks and assisting with trays. 

This was also a great opportunity to have one on one conversations with some members of the community that benefit from the services of the Salvation Army.  For us, seeing firsthand the people of the community and their appreciation for these services was touching.  Working side by side we were able to see how the volunteers and staff had hearts that were dedicated to reflecting God’s love and mission. 

However, we were caught a little off guard when we were welcomed by the local news crew to interview us.  While our pleasant hosts, Jennifer and Chantel, made a huge deal out of our public service by informing the news, the people serving there every day are the true heroes.  They inspired us. 

After lunch service was finished, our host took us on a tour through the town of Tyler and off to eat some infamous Texas barbeque we have heard so much about.  Stanley’s, voted top 10 best in the entire state, was the perfect place to give our taste buds a whirl with some authentic Texas barbeque.  Truly some of the best barbeque we had ever eaten and if you are ever in the area, we would highly recommend.  We were lucky to have it paired with good company and conversation.  After lunch, Jennifer escorted us on a tour through some of the historical districts of Tyler, as well as some of the communities that the organization she is so passionate about serves.  It’s a charming little town with lot of unique character.

When we arrived back at the campus, we were able to put some of our former retail experience to work at the retail store.  Sorting through donations, restocking shelves, straightening and even helping a few customers were some of our duties for the afternoon.  We, ourselves, couldn’t leave empty handed as we discovered all the great reading material and even a great telescope for our star gazing out west. 

 

The beauty of our travels comes down to the relationships we have built and friendships we have made.  That is what makes this trek across America special and mean so much more than being merely “tourists.”  We love seeing the sights and history, enjoying the miracle of nature, but in every state, we have been welcomed with open arms by strangers and have been introduced to the people that are changing this world.  We have been honored to have a small part in it.  This is giving our family a completely new perspective.  We no longer watch the news and stay in our home, wishing the world would change and wondering if there is any good left.  Our family is finally out seeking the good happening every day and there is SO much good happening that gets overlooked by the pure evil that unfortunately is much more broadcasted to the world.