Andre and I have so, many times reflected on our time in kids/youth ministry. We have thought about the good, the bad and the ugly. We have been teaching longer than we've been married lol. It is going on 17years and even when we think this isn't what we are suppose to do something comes up to remind us yes God has called us here. We can't even count how many wedding invites or baby showers or even wedding announcements and baby announcements. We can still remember the tears of the new preschooler as they were scared their first day in preschool but fast forward we see them as amazing 8,9, 10 year old kids who love Jesus. So when asked why we do it? We Say because God said to. We love and pray for every child that comes in our classes. We pray they will follow Jesus as Adults and live a life full of God's love.
"I am a child of God." John 1:12
We have seen fun youth camps, from youth camp on the farm with the most wild activities but the most beautiful scene of 30 youth worshipping God under the stars. Watching the most unlikely kids who if in a school setting would never be friends become the best of friends and love each other. This is just part of why we do it. Watching youth in Rhode Island learn and soak up every word. To break words spoken over them. Watching kids come out of their shells while playing games at summer camp and make friends in a different city. This is why we do it.
In 2014 we thought it was time to step back from youth ministry but our presbrytry had words that would change our direction. Like a GPS recalculating. We were to be Mother's and Father's in the house. We were to be guardrails for the next generation. We were going to have kids in and out of our house until the day we die. We were going to have fun times. That recalculated our GPS to fulltime kids ministry. We still love youth don't get me wrong but something beautiful of a heart of a young child. This picture below is to show their hearts. A few of our kids that we were teaching or taught made us these for my baby shower. It blessed us so much. They are in Isaac's trunk in his room. This is why we do it.
Now we have moved forward with another amazing journey that has definitely been a challenge. We have decided to expand our hearts and family by becoming foster parents. We are do excited and scared for this next step, but it feels good to listen to God in the still small voice when we feel insecure about it. If you want to see a crazy ride definitely ask God where do you want me?
So, all this to say what has God challenged you to do? Where does he need you?
