Dave Gilmore - July 2022

Every year, hundreds of committed volunteers fill thousands of volunteer shifts. To us, the word “volunteer” doesn’t capture the importance of the role they play at the mission. We know that to make a real impact, the energy and resource we spend must translate to what we read in Isaiah 58:10—the extension of one’s life to another. That’s beyond volunteering. In fact, we recently completed a training for all Good Samaritans called just that: Beyond Volunteering. The thought of giving time to help a ministry is noble. But the most effective translation of that time is when it’s spent with someone who really needs it. Dave really needed it. After decades of alcoholism, he became hopeless, homeless, and nearly froze to death one night this last winter. He testifies that God told him to come to Watered Gardens. And it was here he met one of those incredible volunteers, Virginia.

“I’m not going my way, the Dave way, anymore. I did that too long and saw where it got me. I’m going His way, and Watered Gardens has really helped. My care coordinator, Virginia, has provided so much encouragement. She’s assured me that God still has a purpose for my life, that I have worth, and can leave my mistakes behind. We’ve had some really good talks about the Lord, his Word, his mercy and goodness. She actually gave me the Bible I read every day, and I’m grateful for God bringing her and so many good people into my life as I’ve turned it over to him.”

Virginia went beyond volunteering. She loved and inspired Dave, meeting him where he was and helping him believe that, by God’s grace, he didn’t have to stay there any longer. Now he’s five-months sober, employed, plugged into a church, and reconciled to his daughter. We’ll continue working hard to ensure those vital relationships are established that open doors of hope for people lost in hopelessness.

P.S. To learn more about our Beyond Volunteering course, visit truecharity.us/beyondvolunteering.