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.
She nodded, just as *Nirel, the new boy, swaggered past. He looked tough. This really could go either way.
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!
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, 4th 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.
