Good Shepherd’s Laundry Day ministry began in 2022 through a grant from The Diocese of West Missouri. What started as a simple service to meet a need in our community has grown into something much more. Partnering with Splash House in Gladstone, we cover the cost of laundry for our neighbors. On Saturday, October 11, we gathered at Splash House from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
I’ll admit, I started that morning with a sour attitude and a drained spirit. I felt discouraged and filled with doubt. I wondered—is this ministry making a difference? Am I carrying it out as I should? What could I be doing better? Will anyone even show up? Maybe others can relate to those thoughts and feelings as we carry out our ministries in the church.
The first couple of hours were very slow, but by 11:30 a.m., the day picked up. A large family began trickling in from a nearby apartment complex, starting their Saturday routine like so many of us do—with laundry. Many residents of that complex are from the Republic of the Congo, and this family was part of that community. It can be challenging to explain why we’re at the laundromat offering to pay for people’s laundry, and even more so when a language barrier is involved.
I was especially touched by an older woman in the family. She made several trips across the street with large bundles of laundry balanced on her shoulder. We shared smiles, and she expressed her gratitude as we paid for her machines. We began to chat—she in limited English, me in my nonexistent French—while her young granddaughter helped translate. I learned her name was Zara. She has lived in the United States for about three years, has eight children and several grandchildren, and spoke proudly of both her large family and her home in Africa.
Over the years, we’ve met several families from the Congo through Laundry Day. I asked if she knew John, a man we met a couple of years ago. Communication was tricky, but I showed her a picture of him—and she immediately smiled. She knew John! They attend the same church.
I can only imagine the circumstances that compel families to uproot everything familiar and begin again in a new land. Despite the language barrier, Zara and I managed to share a meaningful connection—expressing gratitude for one another and joy in our shared faith.
These connections are what Laundry Day is truly about. While paying for laundry may seem like a simple act of charity, the deeper purpose is to share Christ’s love—not in a loud or showy way, but through a warm presence, a friendly smile, a hug, or even a simple thumbs-up. We provide a service, yes, but our mission is to be living testaments to the good news of Jesus Christ—showing that in Him there is life, liberation, and an abundance of love.
Each of us plants seeds through our daily interactions and ministries. We may never see how those seeds of kindness and compassion grow, but we can trust that they hold the power to transform lives.
Whenever I find myself struggling with doubt or discouragement, I’ll remember Zara—her gratitude, her joy, her kind eyes, and the faith that connected us. Encounters like these remind me of the deeper purpose behind our ministries. I hope everyone engaged in service has someone who helps them recall their own “why”—that motivating force at the heart of their mission.
So here’s the challenge: What is your “why”? What does the good news of Jesus mean to you, and how does it shape your daily life? I’m challenging myself to reconnect with that purpose—to stay mindful of the impact our faith can have, both in our lives and in the lives of those we encounter.
Please pray for our neighbors from the Congo and for all who seek refuge in this country. Laundry Day reminds us of the families and individuals in our own neighborhoods who have been displaced by persecution, war, or violence. Scripture calls us again and again to seek justice, offer fair treatment, and show hospitality to those who live as strangers among us.
Save the Date: We’ll host another Laundry Day on Sunday, December 7, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Please consider sharing your time and presence—we’ll need extra volunteers as we expect a busy day! The Chiefs play at 7:20 p.m., so you’ll still have plenty of time to get home and prepare your game-day snacks. To volunteer, sign up on the sheet to the left of the elevators or contact Jill Hedge at 816-516-4584 (call or text) or via email at jhedge922@gmail.com.
This article was submitted by Jill Hedge, member of The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Kansas City.
