Ouachita Stories

Before I started getting involved in Ouachita’s Thanksgiving basket program, I just thought it sounded like a cool idea. Meeting new people and helping others is something I really enjoy doing, so I thought this would be a fun activity for the week. Little did I know, this program would have a big impact on me.

Last year I was able to go deliver baskets to three families in the community. It was a blessing to them, but it was also a huge blessing to me.

The first home we went to was an apartment with a mom and two little girls with another one arriving very soon. They didn’t know why they were receiving this basket full of food, but they were so thankful for it. The little girls had the sweetest smiles on their faces. The next home was a couple, very shocked to see us. They were very grateful.

The last home, though, I knew there was something different about it. Beforehand, when I talked to her on the phone, you could hear in the mom’s voice how excited she was about this food. She didn’t know how we knew she needed it or why we were doing this, but she was overjoyed and so grateful we were doing this for her.

When we arrived at their house, she started crying. She told us they were happy tears, and she and her two-year-old son both gave us hugs and told us thank you so many times. When we asked what we could pray about with her, she said she needed a job to provide some income. I knew God would be faithful to provide. Soon after that prayer in her living room, God answered. God is so good and knows just what we need.

Delivering Thanksgiving baskets opened my eyes to see that even people right here in Arkadelphia are struggling to put food on the table, and we have the blessing of being able to help provide.

I will never forget these families, especially the mom and little boy. After meeting them for the first time and praying together, I knew that that encounter wouldn’t be the last with them. We went to eat a few times, and it was good just getting to know her more. A relationship was formed, Jesus was shared and a need was met. I think that is what the Thanksgiving Basket program is all about.

Being able to deliver Thanksgiving baskets has brought so much joy to my life as well as the families. Seeing their smiles and tears brought the same to me. I am so thankful for the opportunity to help others in need in this small way.

By Lauren Archer, a sophomore communication sciences and disorders major from Fordyce, Ark., and a student leader for the Thanksgiving Basket program

 

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