On Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 2021, the YSP-SFP leaders helped to coordinate volunteers to help the B.A.S.I.C Ministry with their hot Thanksgiving meal giveaway they hold for the Oakland Community. The local YSP Coordinator, Gabby von Euw, shared a report and words from herself and volunteers about how they had an incredibly meaningful experience through this service project and were reminded about the value of being able to serve.
“This year for Thanksgiving, as young adults from CARP and Bay Area Family Church representing YSP-SFP, we went out to support Pastor Mustafa in their tradition of starting Thanksgiving day in appreciating God by giving freshly cooked meals and clothing items to the community in Oakland on Edes Street.
To prepare internally our hearts and externally for the project we gathered at the B.A.S.I.C. Ministry church in San Leandro at 9am for prayer and worship by Pastor Mustafa. He shared with us about how by serving and putting others first on such a day we are appreciating and putting God first. And that when going out to serve and give the clothing items and hot meals we should go out with the heart of loving the people. He reminded us of the heart of service.
We went around introducing ourselves and sharing our gratitude points before concluding with song and prayer to invite God into the project. Then we began.
People from the community came by and we filled their plates with food and love, and passed out clothing items. It was a joyous time serving food, handing out clothing, and having meaningful conversation getting to know others volunteering alongside us.”
Report by Gabby von Euw, Bay Area YSP-SFP Coordinator
Testimonies:
“Serving Thanksgiving meals today with the B.A.S.I.C Ministry today was one of the most meaningful experiences I had this year. I felt God’s parental love through service. What moved me the most was before serving, the pastor told the volunteers that he considers all of us volunteering in the service project to be part of his tribe. A tribe of people willing to do God’s work, and that is what makes us a part of his family.
It was meaningful especially on this day of giving thanks to God, to be reminded that there are people who do not have immediate family to celebrate with, but God provides family through community and through “tribes” of people willing to be God’s representatives. I felt so much love serving and seeing people be served and feel love through a meal made specifically for each person.
Thank you to the B.A.S.I.C Ministry for giving me an opportunity to serve and to the YSP group for the invitation to serve.”
-Karen Ishiguro
“I am grateful to spend my Thanksgiving morning volunteering for the service project organized by Pastor Mustafa, Lady Jenell, and the whole B.A.S.I.C. Ministry. I was touched by their consistent effort to pour into the community from the most basic needs to the needs of our spirit.
To be able to provide full, hot meals and clothing for a neighborhood in Oakland was an honor and privilege in itself. Having the opportunity to give to others because we’ve been given is the true spirit of Thanksgiving.
I believe that the service of any civic, religious, or educational leader does not remain in just the four walls of their office, church, or university, but needs to flow out in direct touch with the people of their local community.”
-Junta Naito
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