I will admit, yellow is not my color, however, there is a yellow shirt I proudly wear. People everywhere recognize it and see it as a sign of hope. I serve with the North American Mission Board and under the umbrella of this organization is a ministry called Disaster Relief. It is what it is - a ministry helping people find relief amongst disaster.
We have been able to take supplies to those affected by Hurricane Isaac. We have taken things like hygiene kits (soap, shampoo, razors, etc.), bug spray for those living in their homes despite the hazards caused by flood water. For one single dad, we took backpacks filled with school supplies since his kids will return to school despite having lost everything. His daughter received a purple back pack, she said it was her favorite color. Her brother wouldn't take his bag off. It met a small need. The yellow shirts bring hope - faces almost immediately turn from despair and exhaustion to hope filled because there is help.
One guy, Joshua, saw a group of yellow shirts headed right for him and at first he said he was a little scared then he says, " y'all are welcome any time. You bring smiles, which is something we don't see very much anymore." The yellow shirts bring more than stuff....the people who wear them bring a smile and a sense of hope in an overwhelmingly desperate situation.
One guy pulled up blocking our van from leaving a site, he said "help them, they need it." Still another guy stopped us at a gas station, he said, " I work with insurances and many do not have flood insurance. Where can I send them to get help from you?" You see, the yellow shirts bring not just ready hands and feet to work but also open arms and hearts so God can work.
The yellow shirts are recognized as bringing relief and help; hopefully Jesus is seen through the person wearing it.
