I’m writing out a few stories of the transformative moments around my journey at NeighborLink as a way to reflect, document, and share how NL has been such an integral part of life for me. I end my time as Executive Director on January 29th, 2021 after 13 years.
Today marks the beginning of my final week as Executive Director at NeighborLink Fort Wayne after 13 years of having the privilege of stewarding this organization. I'm going to share a few key moments from along the journey each day as a testament to how great of a journey is has been. If you missed that news, you can read it here. https://www.nlfw.org/blog/entry/339
I actually got involved with NL as a volunteer several years before becoming the director through the launching of Fellowship Missionary Church GO Day initiative. I still remember that first GO Day ever and joining a team of volunteers to mow several yards for neighbors on the SE Side of FW. What started as just showing up to volunteer projects led to leading individual projects I would select off the NL website to eventually co-leading the monthly operations of GO Days that would see 50-200 volunteers each month go out into the community. Just showing up led to taking responsibility which led to eventually becoming the director.
This picture represents how a group of young 20-year-olds chose to serve as a point of connection with one another. Everyone in this picture is still a dear friend to Michelle and me, I have no doubt that it was because of our commitment to grow together through serving and learning about the Lord.
Plus, my main man Jeff Shatto is right in the middle. He and I have more stories about NL projects than I have with anyone else. We did a TON of moving projects with this moving van and each one has a story worth telling that includes random experiences and how we've grown together and through NL. This bond is forever cemented because of our love of serving together.
I wasn't the director at this point, but it was in these projects we did that I began to be challenged by what I was seeing, what stories I was being told about the vulnerabilities of life, and how sometimes what you have to offer is more than enough and sometimes what you have to offer doesn't even begin to make a difference. This project was moving someone that was being evicted and needed immediate help. We moved their stuff this evening and then again a few weeks later once they landed in a new place.
This ultimately is a testament that your community of friends can do transformative things together, even if it is you that transforms because of it. And, if you stick with something long enough and are open to the learning experiences, it may lead you to the places that you ultimately want to go if you're open to it.
This picture is proof that any successes I've had at NL is because of a whole lot of other people who have joined me when I've asked them to, and when they've led and I followed.