Recycling Ministry
Tara Paul was looking for something to do. Her family hit upon recycling as a way to raise funds for the World Vision child they sponsored. Now Tara's ministry supports 85 children!
Here's what happened. Tara Paul and her husband, Michael, were moved by letters from Victoria, an African orphan who walked seven miles a day to fill a five-gallon jug with water so that she could earn 10 cents for food.
Victoria's suffering was outrageous, Tara thought. I need to do something about it.
She did. The Pauls started a ministry called D.U.H. Recycling. That’s for Desperate, Underprivileged, and Hungry. It has raised $60,125.10, has recycled 123,199 pounds, and has involved approximately 400 volunteers. Every Sunday at church, Tara and others show up in their bright orange jump-suit uniform. From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. they collect C.R.V recyclable trash that comes to their drive-through drop-offs. Then they turn it into treasure by partnering with World Vision.
There's also the "softer" side: the child advocates/letter writing program, which loves sponsored children through prayer and letter-writing, sending packages filled with small gifts and goodies.
And recently, the recycling ministry has started a third division. The group has grown to the point where people started to bring by donations other than cans and bottles—items like computers or furniture or clothing. So Tara and her ministry leaders started a separate program they call The Launch Pad. The Launch Pad works closely with the church’s other ministries. That sweatshirt might go to the homeless program. Those used toys go to the pregnancy/adoption program. The old printer goes to the electronics-repair ministry.
You can do something too.
However small or launch the effort, Tara reminds people to keep perspective. “It’s my sincere prayer that whatever you’re going to start this recycling ministry for, that it does provide for the desperate, underprivileged and hungry,” said Tara.
To learn more about the Recycling Ministry click here. And even more detailed info here. You can do it. Just go out and DO Something!