A Highlight of My Summer

I told you a few days ago that I couldn't wait to show you who I spent last week with and what we did. Well, here is a picture of myself and my Maggie with some of our new friends. We spent the week with these guys in an inner city church sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray that I was half as much of a blessing to them as they were to me.

Let me share how this began. A very precious lady at our home church had asked me to serve on this team several years in the past. She has served this community for over 10 years with this ministry. We are talking a Saint here (wish I had a picture of her to share). I'm ashamed to say that my answer was always, "I'll think about it and let you know". I then gave it very little thought because I knew I was way too busy and after all, after teaching VBS at my church it's time to enjoy summer. Well, last year "something" started nagging at my heart to do this. Hmm, maybe it was that prayer our family had been praying... LORD, break our hearts for what breaks YOURS. Well, I hesitated but went and let me tell you.... on day one... I was hooked. It was a life changing experience and I knew that I would return. So this year was quite different. I couldn't wait to get there and begin loving on these kids. I was signed up to teach 6th graders and when I walked in the first day, I had one student. I began to pray. LORD, fill this room with kids that need YOU. By snack time, two other boys, a 7th grader and 8th grader had joined us. The four of us rallied and prayed and God began to multiply the numbers. By mid week we had 9 kids grades 6th-9th. Some of these teens had already trusted in Christ as their Savior and simply had the opportunity to grow in their walk and knowledge. Others had heard of Jesus but never believed and trusted in Him. Only by the Grace of God, let me introduce you to my new brothers and sisters in Christ.

These teens walked away on Friday knowing that God has great plans for their lives, plans to prosper them and not harm them, plans to bring them hope and a future. They found "hope" in Jesus and I found "blessing" in loving them. They also walked away knowing that this white girl is crazy about them.

I just might have learned more from these two girls than they learned from me ; ) They will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Here are some younger girls that Maggie got to hang out with everyday at recreation. This little girl of mine has a heart that is beautiful. Her heart knows no difference in race, religion, social or economic back ground. She loves like Christ. If only us adults, could "get it" like she does. Thank you LORD that I get to learn from her.

This little guy was a cousin to one of the boys in my class and I was head over hills from the first day. Do I look "smitten" or what?

Don't get me wrong, I'm excited about our family vacation coming up, but THIS was the highlight of my summer.

"He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our sins, the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5