HOPE SINGAPORE PROJECT SPARKLE 2014
Project Sparkle is a community service initiative by Hope Singapore to serve the people in the community by cleaning and sprucing up their homes. Project Sparkle 2014 celebrates a resounding success blessing our neighbours at Kampong Glam and beyond!
On the first day of work in 2014, 40 staff and volunteers met at the Axis to pack and prepare for Project Sparkle over the weekend. As early as 8 o'clock in the morning on Saturday, 3 teams from the Uni-NS ministry were sent out to specific units that were infested with bedbugs. Even though it was a challenging feat, our brave brothers and sisters did not back out but persevered to the end. The Ablaze, Young Adult and the rest of the Uni-NS ministries gathered in the afternoon to bless the community together, going door-to-door offering their services as well. Some even travelled to Chinatown to bless the elderly with oranges!
More households were blessed on Sunday as our brothers and sisters from the Adults, Indonesian, Filipino and Mandarin services joined in, as did the children from Hopekids! Teacher Shuyan (in photo) from Hopekids shares her thanksgiving as she served: "One of the reasons why I'm still serving in kids ministries is to serve with them when they grow up! My little P1 kid, Angel Tan, has grown up to be a fine young lady who went around with us today to bless the residents with oranges!"
We were blessed in return by the life stories of the residents, the hospitality and love they showed as well. A sister from Adults met an award-winning photographer who travelled frequently to Europe for photo competitions, and was profiled in the papers in the 60's. He also shared with them his stash of photo treasures in his one-room flat! As shared by Cathy, a precious lesson she learned that day was "Don't dismiss the next old man you meet on the street. Everyone has a story to tell."
Regardless of how old we are, which nationality we are, we love because He first loved us and it is a decision we make every day of our lives. Project Sparkle 2014 was a testimony of different parts of the body of Christ serving together. The local media also took notice of our service this weekend. Indeed, Hope Church Singapore had lived out Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven."
Let's continue the spirit behind this initiative and make active decisions to be a blessing to the people around us as we are blessed by our God Almighty!
Written by Phoebe Toh Peiying
Hope Church, Singapore
