Courtney, a brand new college freshman 700 miles from home, lugs her load of wilted wear down three flights of stairs and sits alone, watching a week's savings of quarters disappear. She brings her books, but struggles to study, fighting back tears as the smell of laundry detergent and fabric softener bring back fond memories of mom washing and folding the family's clothes. She had pitched in at home, sharing the never-ending task of laundering her clothes and those of her three younger sisters, so she knew what to do. But, she longed for a touch of nurturing and companionship.

This month, advertise a laundry night for college students and ask the students to meet at the church with their laundry and an appetite. Have selected members of your small group take the students to a group member's home (limit the number of students at each home to three or four in order to get all the laundry done in one evening). Decide ahead of time who in your small group will offer the service of their washer and dryer, who will provide food, and who will drive. Once at the home, start the laundry, enjoy a relaxing meal, play cards or a board game, then all pitch in to fold and pack away the warm, clean clothes. Ask the students to write down their names, addresses, and email addresses. Over the next several months, send the students notes and emails of encouragement and an occasional gift of laundry detergent or a roll of quarters. Take time each week to pray for the students.

This week, you could also:

• Give up a close parking spot for the next car in line.
  
  
• Leave a note of encouragement on the windshield of a friend's car.
  
  
• Buy a pumpkin for a child.
  
  

Originally published online at SmallGroups.com, October 9, 2007.

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