"Madam?"
He pointed to an empty seat.
"Merci!"
A few minutes later the bus pulled up to my stop and I checked my watch. Right on time (good thing I ran for the bus!). I walked around the corner and into the church building. Pastor G welcomed me with a warm handshake. A young man from Persia was helping him move the chairs in the sanctuary to the sides of the room. A group of young men from Africa walked into the church and I helped Pastor G get water for them while they waited outside for us to finish preparing dinner.
I walked back back to the kitchen with Pastor G and met J, the cook. He was also from Persia and invited me to peel veggies as he prepared lentil veggie soup. For the next half hour volunteers trickled in as we finished preparing food and setting up the clothing store. Soon a cheerful buzz of Dutch, French, and Farsi filled the kitchen occasionally punctuated with the chef proclaiming, "I still believe!" Suddenly the frenzy of preparation slowed and we gathered in a circle to pray. It was beautiful to hear the French, Dutch and Farsi praises and declarations of faith.
As as the time for dinner grew close, we began finishing setting the tables in the sanctuary. It was filled with men from Africa-immigrants, refugees and homeless- they come every Friday for dinner. The majority of them are Muslim, but they know that they will be received with grace and love at this church that seeks to feed and clothe them. Everyone received food-hearty soup, bread, jam, cheese, hard boiled eggs, and water, coffee and tea.
After dinner, everyone sat and listed to Pastor G and his interpreter tell about Jesus. I sat with the other volunteers. We were sitting near the stage at the front of the sanctuary where there were long extension cords with cell phones charging. After this, we went back into the kitchen to do dishes and the men had the opportunity to visit the clothing store. They have a point system, so each item cost a certain number of points. The rule was that they could only spend 6 points per visit.
I met some wonderful co-laborers, some who have worked with YWAM, some who are nearing retirement and spending their time in service to the poor and the foreigners. It was intimidating to go alone to a place where I wasn't sure if anyone would be able to speak to me, but it was great to be there, see the ministry of this church, and to be welcomed into the community that spends its Friday evenings to serve those in need.