Week: June 18 – June 24 | Gleanings for the Hungry

In one week, we processed 617,000 pounds of fresh fruit and 700,000 servings of soup!

Let’s be honest—it’s difficult to sit in 110-degree weather, crouching in the field to make sure each half-peach is face-up so it will dry properly in the sun.

It’s difficult to have a good attitude and a servant’s heart when you are inspecting a batch of rotten peaches in order to find the good fruit.

It’s difficult to find the energy to mop floors after hours of working in the extreme heat.

This work, and so much more, is what our teams did this week. Why? Because God called them to serve the poor and needy. Because God did miraculous work in their hearts to make them so ready to do whatever it takes to give back.

Thank you, Gateway Bible Church, from Scotts Valley, CA!
Thank you, Global Passion Ministries groups!
Thank you, Sutherlin Family Church, all the way from Oregon!
Thank you, Pekary, Wilson, and Thornquest families!
Thank you, Israel Food Outreach!
Thank you, backpackers, short and long-term volunteers, staff, summer staff, and every single person who gave their time energy to serve with us this week!

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT: KEKE WANG

A former professional volleyball player in China, Keke Wang came to Gleanings because she decided it was time stop living a selfish life.

“I was a cheap person,” Keke said. “I finally asked God to change me. I didn’t like myself … I always asked [God] to do things for me … maybe it’s time for me to ask him what I can do for him,” Keke said.

After checking out helpx.net, Keke chose organizations that would challenge her. “I can do that!” she thought. “I will spend three weeks at Gleanings for the Hungry, then three weeks at an organic farm. Now, this is something that will completely not benefit me at all, I thought. I really wanted to practice to give without return.”

But before she got here, during her half-year trip in South America, her bag was stolen, and Keke was stranded in Peru for three weeks. Finally, she got her passport replaced. But it did not have her precious stamps she had been collecting, which was her most prized possession, representing all her travels and adventures around the world.

It was after this loss that she showed up at Gleanings and began to serve with truly no intent to gain anything in return. “Now I like myself more. I know God more. God is so good to me. It’s like the woman who gave all she had. It doesn’t matter how much it is. God really just cares about our heart.”

Keke joined us for three weeks, served at the organic farm, and then came back to Gleanings to serve for a longer period of time. We are so overjoyed to have her here—her smile and energy is such a blessing to everyone she meets!

God bless you Keke! We love you! – “They gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” Mark 12:44

SHARE THE LOVE

The theme this week seemed to be a call to leadership, authenticity, and hope after losing loved ones.

“I have learned that God was protecting me and I accepted Christ as my savior!”

“I realized I want to be a leader. I want to help other people that are going through stuff.”

“I am blessed because of all of you.”

“I feel like it’s a huge family here.”

“All my life I have wanted to give back to others. I think I’ve found my calling—I want to do missions.”

“It’s a miracle, what goes on here.”

“I’m shaking cuz I’m scared to give myself to someone.”

“I heard the words, ‘Thank you for feeding my children.’”

“Every year I come here, it just gets better and better.”