Receive Jesus

One of the great things we do for the Sowing Hope kids is feed them lunch. A few of the children have parents who work second shift or parents who are absent in their kids lives, thus they don't get a good meal at all. So we share God's love in a real way. I take to heart Jesus' words in Matthew 18:5, " And whoever receives one such child in My name receives me."

boys will be boys










































students of great potential



There is so much we can do for these kids. Pastor Ivanildo shared how one little girl Gabby screamed with glee on the bus, "I LOVE V-B-S!"

We can do it!

photo from SMN



















Pastor Ivanildo shared some stories during VBS about children who are taking the offering very seriously. After viewing the ICDI video, one girl went home, put up a lemonade stand, gathered the money, and brought in $30.









photo from jimwhimpey
Another boy went home and dumped his piggy bank onto his bed. His mother walked in and asked with a quizzical look, "What are you doing, son?" He looked up with determination and said, "Did you see the water those children have to drink? No one should drink yucky water like that." He wanted to give his money so that other children could drink cool water.










An anonymous donor has pledged to match up to $4,000 for the children's offering. At first the thought was the donor was merely going to double the offering, but in actuality the donor wants to triple the offering. So, the church could be funding a new water well in the Central African Republic. Wow!

Reaching out to children

It all starts with a bus ride





















I just returned from a trip dropping off children to Perkins Apartments on the Southside of Wooster. I heard the girls I sat near share how their favorite part of the days' events is the singing. They sang a few bars of the songs and teased me that I did not know the motions for the songs. It was a memorable day for them.



Conversely, one of our girls was feeling ill. She rested yesterday and felt good enough to come--so she came today. At the end of the day, she was tired and started feeling ill. But she made it to the end of VBS, ate her lunch, and then we took her home. Please pray for J. She would love to come back tomorrow and hear more about Jesus.



Overall, the team of volunteers and our interns did a wonderful job of serving these kids. Yes, they are rowdy just like any children, but we get to offer them a fun time at VBS and a chance to hear the Gospel and to learn more about Jesus this week. Check out how we are developing fully devoted followers for Jesus by reaching out to the children on the southside.

"I am cool ridin' da bus"

495 Kids!

Today I witnessed and amazing gathering. I observed a church filled with children, students, and adults praising Jesus and excited about learning more about Jesus.

Vacation Bible School has arrived. I was so proud to see Pastor Ivanildo featured to open the day with prayer and to introduce the ICDI well-drilling video. The donations collected from the children will go to drill a well for a community in the Central African Republic where water is scarce and a high commodity. Clean water is even more precious. Most villages use unsanitary water for cooking, cleaning, and drinking. But what ICDI helps to do is to educate the community about safe water practices, hygiene, health, and responsibility. It is a great partnership we have with ICDI. I can't wait to see how much money the children donate towards the $15,000 goal.

Our summer interns, Jacob Kern & Elise Rabatin, have helped get 33 children here today from the southside of Wooster. We chatted about the bus challenges and the everyday skirmishes between kids in a neighborhood. Then they escorted me around the campus to visit with the children in their groups. Not only were the children integrated but even felt included in their groups and felt cared for by the adult and student volunteers.

We even had the opportunity to give a child from our group her first Bible. When we finally tracked down a children's bible, Elise wrote a dedication, both Jacob & Elise signed it, and then we found her in her class. Elise said that this little girls' "eyes lit up" when she saw that she got a bible as her own. May God speak to her through His Word today and everyday of her life.

photo by theogeo

In a few minutes I get to help serve lunch to them and hear how their day went. May God bring each one to Christ through our efforts. I hope to post 2 or 3 pictures later today.