‘Had to Do Something’: Church Donates Kits for Joplin*
On a quiet Friday morning, laughter filled the hallways of EverGreen Ministries as two groups of women and children competed with each other in packing hygiene kits.
“This group over here needs more toothpaste!” called out a woman from one of the groups. As Tiffany Louzan—one of the women who organized the project—rounded the corner with a box in her arms, she teased the other group. “Seems like these ladies over here are faster than you!”
“You must be paying them more,” another woman laughed.
This type of light-hearted conversation perfectly represents the group of church people who enthusiastically packed over 850 lbs of products into 815 hygiene kits for EverGreen Ministries’ “Loving our Neighbors in Joplin” project.
EverGreen Ministries—which is located in Hudsonville, Mich.—prides itself on being service-minded ministry. Their numerous projects include care packages for U.S. soldiers, missions trips to renovate orphanages, and a large counseling ministry. Thus it was no surprise that when the news coverage of the destruction in Joplin reached the church, they sprang into action. “I saw everything on the news, and had to do something,” Tiffany said. “We’re a big church—I knew we could respond.”
Tiffany called her friend Wendi Richards—who also attends EverGreen Ministries—and the two women got the ball rolling. Wendi connected with International Aid, and they helped them know what was needed in hygiene kits and how to get the products. According to Wendi, the “Loving our Neighbors in Joplin” project is the largest disaster response project the church has undertaken—however, it was a natural thing to do for a congregation so focused on serving those who are in need. “It’s just the way churches should be,” she said.
Thank you to everyone at Evergreen Ministries who donated to the “Loving our Neighbors in Joplin” project and helped assemble the kits!
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*Reprinted from the International Aid website
