Those are Fighting Words

Two boys were at each other at homework club.  *N’Jee and *Kaden looked like they were ready to rip each other apart.   I quickly jumped between them.  N’Jee, obviously fuming, looked up at me.  “Miss Annie, you know what he just said about me?”

“No N’Jee.  What?” 

“He just said I didn’t have Jesus in me!”

Now those are words worth fighting about! 

*Names of children always changed

Getting Along

At our homework club, we try to build future leaders by building the kids’ relationships in 4 ways: with their environment, their community, themselves and with God. 

We have a short Bible time at each homework club and usually spend a lot of time focusing on “getting along” and being “peacemakers” instead of “peacekeepers”.  It is a continual need! There is not a lot of great modelling in many homes and apartment living at its best is hard due to the proximity of everyone.

This week during club, *Darla borrowed my phone.  Talking to her sister, Darla was visibly upset and I caught enough bits of her conversation to be praying.

Afterwards, trembling Darla opened up.  Walking home from school, her friend had made derogatory gestures at 2 boys.   One of those boys, she had never met, was at homework club for the first time ever.  She burst into tears, “I’m so afraid. What if I get a referral?”   

Knowing this could be a big can of worms, I hesitantly asked, “Would you like to try to talk it out with him?”

She nodded, just as *Nirel, the new boy, swaggered past.  He looked tough.  This really could go either way.

“Nirel, could we all talk together for a couple of minutes?” I asked.

As Nirel, joined us, 4^th grade Darla, in great humility, shared her fears, sadness at what had happened and asked this new boy to forgive her. Nirel listened intently.  As she apologized, Nirel smiled warmly, “You didn’t mean it.  I’m OK and I forgive you.” 

Darla’s whole countenance changed.  They shook hands.  As Nirel left, Darla hugged me, “Thank you!  I feel so much better!”

Later, we had Bible time.  In preparation for Easter, my fellow leader, Linda, shared God’s most amazing plan and how Jesus did the unthinkable to forgive us, making it possible for us to someday be in Heaven.  “And in Heaven, you know one of the very best things?  We will all get along!  Always!” Linda shared.

The kids who wanted Jesus, had an opportunity to pray aloud.  Nirel and Darla were frontrunners!

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” 

Happy Easter!

Annie

*Names of children always changed.

Sometimes

Some neighbors and I meet with elementary kids one afternoon a week for a homework club. We meet on their territory, where they live, at a local apartment complex.

It’s not glitzy.  It can get crowded. It certainly gets noisy. 

Sometimes the kids need help to do their homework.  Sometimes they need help to stay on track.  Sometimes they just need someone to be a friend.  Sometimes they listen.

Sometimes I don’t know how to do the homework problem or I learned it a different way.  Sometimes I ask another kid how to do it or to teach the kid that is having a problem.  Sometimes I pull out my smart phone.  We learn together.

Sometimes the kids want to learn.  Sometimes it feels like I am dragging them through quicksand just to get their papers out.  Sometimes I see success.  Sometimes I have to ask God to show me one good reason I should stay. 

One time, after pouring myself into Felicia* week after week, seemingly with no results, she pulled out her homework.

“Miss Annie.”

“Yep?”

“Look what my teacher wrote in the back of my book. ‘You are improving so much!  Is someone helping you?’” 

“Wow!”

“But the kids in my class think that I am cheating.” 

“Why?”

“I am not failing anymore.”

“What did you tell them?”

“That I am getting some help.”

“How do you feel?”

“Really good."

That was two years ago. 

Last week we had a movie day because it was the day before spring break and we thought any attempt at doing homework would be futile.   Felicia walked in.

           “Can I do my homework instead?”
           “If you sit at the back table.”
            Afterwards, Felicia came up to me beaming, “Miss Annie, I finished all my homework!”
           “Really? Before spring break even starts?”
           “Yes. It’s the first time ever!”

Sometimes God gives us a glimpse of how we've made a difference.  I'm glad I stayed. 

*Name has been changed.  

What's in a Name?

Have you ever ridden a zip line? 

I've been on a little one!  We put one up at my church’s VBS party.  Thrill-seeking boys jumped on, but then looks of anxiety and even tears, prevailed.  I felt I needed to get on and break the fear factor.  After all, if Miss Annie could do it, they would know they could too! 

I have never liked heights or thrill rides, so inside, I was a mess!  My stomach knotted up. Would I lose the hot dog I just choked down?  That would not comfort anyone!   I couldn’t let tears show. 

Just then, I noticed a friend looking up at the zip line with inquisitive eyes; her husband emphatically shaking his head. I never suspected the church secretary would want to go on a zip line!  I asked. 

The next thing I knew, Terry was climbing the pole beside me.  My eyes darted, looking for a way of escape as the harness was clipped in place.  But I could not let my friend down!  And those event workers were fast!  Before I knew it, we were flying and I felt something unexpected coming up out of my belly… laughter!  It was fun!   After that, the words, “Again!” were heard on the lips of every kid.

I have found the same to be true with children’s outreach.  It’s an adventure that at first seems scary but ends up as a pile of fun!  In this blog, you will hear some real life adventures that caused me to cry out “Again!” 

How about you?  Are you ready to join the adventure? 
Remember, every adventure is way more fun with a friend!