Volunteering at Trinity, Richmond this past week has been a great experience in so many ways. Meeting people from around the world, learning about their backgrounds and being able to talk about my own background (including faith in Jesus) are at the top of the list. Taking advantage of great food, Internet access, a super big screen, and, oh ya, the washrooms, the CLEAN washrooms, are also part of it.
My volunteer experience has included sharing pins, keeping track of those in Internet Cafe (and catching up on emails), welcoming those who enter the building, and serving as a parking lot attendant (coordinators knew better than to put me on the kitchen crew). Whether its been creative in getting people to notice there’s free parking, showing people exactly where to park, or giving people their parking pass and inviting them to take advantage of what the members of Trinity are offering, the response of people in the parking lot has been the most exciting. “Why would you not charge for these services?” is a frequently asked question. Of course, this opens doors to discuss what God in Christ has given to everyone as a free gift! Those from “churched” backgrounds are impressed and thankful. Those from unchurched backgrounds are surprised and curious. 
I thank the members of Trinity for being so bold in offering what they have to the world, and offering me the experience of being a part of it all. But I also wanted to get out and see everything first hand. Between my own schedule and volunteering, I’ve made my way around Vancouver and Richmond this past week, seeing what I could, waiting in lines for most of what was worthwhile. The opportunities to get to know people were drastically reduced, however, once I got beyond the property lines of Trinity. 
I don’t think I lost my social skills when I crossed the street, nor did I become less aware of opportunities. What else is there to do when you’re standing in line, but to talk to those around you? But other than a casual “How’s it going?” and a helpful time reference from my Blackberry when I overheard people asking about scheduled events, it was only with a group of teachers from Kansas at the crowded German Fan Fest Garden that I actually enjoyed a conversation with others.
I won’t claim to know the psychology, nor the theology, of Jesus sending the 72 disciples out in pairs (Luke 10), but I do know that people respond differently to someone who is by himself. While there was too much going on around me to consider the “loneliness” of the situation, I did find myself wishing I had someone with which to share the experiences.
Jesus went it alone, so we wouldn’t have to! Sure, he was often with crowds and he had his disciples around him much of the time. But he faced the devil in the wilderness on His own. His disciples fell asleep when He needed their support and fled at the most critical hour. He was forsaken by His Father in His pain and suffering. 
There were times this week that I longed to share my experiences with a friend or family member, but I was never alone. In fact, carrying a pocket New Testament in my back pocket (a Gideon giveaway at Trinity) was a constant reminder of God’s presence in my life. In fact, reading its precious life giving message was a reminder that I will never be alone. Nothing can separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39)!
May the message of God’s love in Christ by the volunteers at the Lutheran churches in the Vancouver area be blessed by God, to the glory of His name and furthering of His kingdom. I thank Him and the members at Trinity for a truly remarkable week in the Vancouver area!
