For nearly a year now, Centennial Park’s automated garbage truck has been out of service. The truck cannot pick up the can and proceed to dump it on its own steam. SO, like many integral tasks important to the community, the missionaries have picked up the slack. Our garbage collector drives our dumpster style-emptying truck (with front forks rather than an automated arm) and the missionaries dump cans into an empty dumpster hauled on the front of the truck. Nearing its first anniversary, garbage emptying has become one of those behind-the-scenes events that no one really notices. Often, I get assigned to this task. It has made me realize that there are countless people around me who make my lifestyle here not only comfortable, but POSSIBLE. And yet, many times this volunteer service goes unappreciated. Few people realize that at 9:00 every Thursday morning, people are voluntarily extending themselves on their behalf. This post is to all those brave souls who through rain or snow, wind and sand, put their hands in the work. ~One of our Missionaries
That truly is wonderful. I can not imagine that happening in our community here in Goodyear, AZ. There is no way, unfortunately.
Our boys take in our next door neighbor’s cans because he is disabled and no other neighbor in our cul-de-sac has ever offered to do so. Not once, not even when we were on vacation and couldn’t do it for him.
Your community is truly blessed.
Dear M.
You are so right about these young men. I know there are many others around that help perform services that are truly amazing, too, like you expressed about your boys.
These young men are developing a sense of Community, and building character while they serve others, and learn to give back and carry on from their fathers and mothers. At such a critical time in their young lives, they have excellent mentoring by older men that teach them skills and values that will serve them well as they grow older. They sure treat me with respect and love. I think that in this day and age, it is a miracle to see young people that value the older members of our Community. This is what I was taught when young as well. I cannot say how valuable the relationship I had with older ladies and true friendship we developed, not only in our plural family, but grandmothers, aunts, wonderful women that were not even related to me, but cared enough to impart love, stories, songs, and most of all the love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They all had a good sense of humor, and we had many fun times listening around the tea table.
After their service, many of these boys will go on to college and meet their adult life with good skills that they cannot always learn at school.
Thanks for sharing.