Grease, Grit, and Grime

Most of you know me or at least know who I am because of my mom, Sally Angliss. I grew up at WHBC but until I moved back to town in August I had been living in the Chicago area for the past 6 years.  Throughout that time I volunteered and helped out in ministry but I could never really find something I felt called to do. It was something I struggled with all through high school. I am not musically talented nor do I have the desire to teach children. This didn’t always leave me with many options. I usually stuck with setting up for events at church. I was happy doing it but I knew I wasn’t using my gifts.

One day in college I was running errands with a friend and we stopped to pick up something from her dad. We pulled up to an industrial building that I assumed was his workplace but he was actually volunteering there. It turns out this was a garage used by a local church to facilitate their CARS ministry. Their CARS (Christian Auto Repairmen Serving) ministry provides free or discounted repairs and even cars to those in need.  I immediately knew this was something I wanted to do. I have always been good with my hands but never really had a way to serve with it. I immediately reached out to the director and asked how I could help.

My first night in the shop we did several brake jobs and a few tune ups of the engine. I got there at 6:30pm and didn’t leave until 11:00pm. For the first time in my life I felt like I was able to use my gifts. Every Monday after work I would change into an old pair of jeans and work from 6:30 until 11:00 but sometimes I worked until 2:00am. I would be exhausted the next day but I didn’t care. It was worth it.

I always knew the majority of repairs were for single moms but all donations were done by the day staff so we never had any face to face time with them. But one night the director wanted to remind us who we were helping so he set up a donation during my team’s shift. I didn’t think much of it but when I saw this single mom of two kids come in and tear up as we gave her a car it really hit me. I finally knew what it felt like to use my gifts to serve others. For the next two and a half years I served every week and it was always the highlight of my week. I made some amazing friends along the way and enjoyed every minute of it. For those of you who are in the same boat I was, I hope this gives you some encouragement. There are lots of ways to serve out there and opportunities can happen at any time.