We arrived at the CAM warehouse in Ephrata, PA in time for the slide show presentation and heard first hand accounts of how CAM workers help people in dire need around the world. It was especially sobering to see pictures of people in Romania standing next to meager piles of firewood intended to warm their one-room homes, piles that will surely run out before the harsh winter ends. Something I often think about is, who am I to have so much? I was born into a loving family where we ate three meals a day and never had to worry about where we would sleep at night. I have done NOTHING to deserve this. It makes you acutely aware that to whom much is given, much is required. (Luke 12:48) Will I ever be able to meet all that is required of me in this lifetime?

The response to the event looked impressive. A glance at the guest books showed that visitors came from as far away as Canada, and there were many people from out of state. I wondered how we might get to where we wanted to go with hundreds of people milling about. If someone decided they wanted to stop moving and talk to someone nearby, the crowd would come to a standstill and you would have to devise a new route out of the masses. Thankfully most people were sensitive to this, and didn't have their reunions in the middle of the warehouse floor.



The most crowded section of the event was definitely the book selling tables. A wide selection of books were available, all at a discounted price. The lines of people that surrounded the book tables were four bodies deep! You definitely needed some patience to view the selection, but it was worth it. I showed restraint by buying only one book to add to my winter stock pile of reading material.
Speaking of books, MaryAnn at A Joyful Chaos is having a book giveaway. The book is called His Protecting Hand and you can find out how to enter by visiting her blog.
I'm glad you got to go to that - it's "nice" to help, but when you actually get to see first-hand the help that's being given, it becomes ever so much more real. You only bought one book? I'm very impressed! LOL Thanks for sharing about such a great organization ~ ♥
ReplyDeleteI've never been to one of CAM's open houses, but I love what they are doing and we have supported them for years.
ReplyDeleteWe used to collect clothes for CAM and since we moved back to PA I would really like to start that again. Do they still accept them?
ReplyDeleteYes, they do still collect clothing. And also sewing supplies and fabric remnants that are one yard or more.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Monica, for this informative post. If one doesn't live locally, what are our options for donating? And if I wanted to donate money, who would I sent it to?
ReplyDeleteThanks again for the post.
Saloma
Saloma~ CAM has a website here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.christianaidministries.org/
You can sign up for their newsletter, donate online, or mail donations to their office in Berlin, OH. The website is new, but still helpful.
My parents went to the open house for the first time this year. They really enjoyed it too. Guess that will have to go on our "someday" list as well!
ReplyDeleteGina