Welcome!
McDonnell Marks Fifth Anniversary at HCCM
It’s hard to believe that five years have come and gone since I arrived at Hill Country Community Ministries. People often ask what brought me here and the answer is simple. It’s the principle of going where God wants you to go and doing what He wants you to do with your life.
As I look back over the years, I find I am still inspired by the things that first impressed me about HCCM—the mission of the organization, the dedication of its volunteers, and the opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of families in need.To be sure, there have been many challenges, but I’ve had a front row seat to the greatest show on earth! The opportunity to witness on a day-to-day basis the unfailing grace of God and the generosity of a community that gives of its love, its time, and its resources to help its neighbors.
What we do here at HCCM is not glamorous and doesn’t receive a lot of fanfare. And that is as it should be. We’re here to serve, to demonstrate Christ’s love by helping others, and to be good stewards of what God provides us through the generosity of our donors and supporters. I thank God every day for the volunteers who work on the front lines with our clients and those who work behind the scenes to provide other valuable support. Without the faithful service of our volunteers and the generosity of our donors, we could not fulfill our mission in the community.
A frail, elderly gentleman was passing by my office door the other day on his way to the Food Pantry to pick up his food. He stopped momentarily in my doorway and said, “No one could know what this means to us.” His voice cracked as he choked back his emotion, and then he said, “I just wanted to say thank you and let you know how much we appreciate this. God bless.”
On behalf of this gentleman and the thousands of families Hill Country Community Ministries serves each year, I want to say thank you for all you do to help us make a difference in their lives. Although you can’t look into their faces, or see their tears of gratitude, or hear their heartfelt “thank you,” you are our partners in this great service to our community. I am reminded each day that we could not do it without you and when I count my blessings, I think of you. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve with you.
It is God Himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives in Christ Jesus; and long ages ago He planned that we should spend these lives in helping others. Ephesians 2:10