December Update

December 1, 2006

Dear Family and Friends,

Three afternoons each week we host an after-school program for kids in 1st-8th grade at the World Impact Center. Working with this program has been my greatest joy since moving here. It only takes about two minutes to fall in love with the children who walk through our doors. They are each completely unique in personality: some are laid back and reserved, others bounce off the walls with energy. We have athletes who dominate every game in the gym from dodge basketball to noodle hockey. We also have scholars who excel at scrabble and chess in the game room. But all of the children have one thing in common: they are hungry for love and attention.

Tamika missed a day of activity not too long ago because she had a track meet to attend. When she arrived home afterwards she eagerly ran to the Center to show us the first place blue ribbon she won that day, and all of the other ribbons in her collection from meets in the past. Her smile was as big as it could get as we congratulated her.

Dashon came straight to the Center after school one day carrying a manilla envelope proudly in one hand. As soon as he signed in he carefully pulled a piece of paper from the envelope and showed off his progress report from school which revealed all “Satisfactory” marks (the highest level attainable) in each of his classes. He was so proud of that report, and so was I.

Talia is new to the neighborhood and has quickly become a regular at the Center. She is usually the first to arrive each afternoon and loves to greet us with hugs. She and her brother are enrolled at the local boys and girls club but they tell us they like being at the Center more. The other day she told me she loves being here and wishes she could spend more time with us.

It is easy to love the kids, but it’s not always easy to work with them. Many have difficult home lives. Most have not yet invited Jesus into their lives. Some days are really tough, like when Tamika gets upset about her team losing at kick ball and chooses to display her frustration by kicking chairs and yelling at other kids because she is still learning how to deal with anger. Or when Dashon complains about his stomach aches because he hasn’t had anything to eat all day and there might not be any food in the house that night. And especially when Talia wears a shirt announcing her family’s Muslim faith. Those are the days my heart breaks for these children. Sometimes I want to throw up my hands and quit. I don’t have the answers, the process in working with them is slow and painful. But, I am continually reminded of how much God loves each of them and how badly they need Him. My desire in working with this program is to display the love of my Savior through my life, my actions, my words so they may know Him and follow Him faithfully.

As you celebrate the birth of Jesus this month, will you remember Tamika, Dashon, and Talia in your prayers? Will you pray for them to encounter Him in a real way? Will you pray for their physical, emotional, and spiritual growth and for the time I get to spend with them each week? Let’s pray together for the work God is doing in their lives. What a blessing it is to see Him working!

Wishing you a very merry Christmas,
Beth