Priorities

If you have been watching the news lately, there have been many stories of tragedy amidst people just doing ordinary things. The people that were shot in Paris were simply eating dinner or attending a concert. Recently a mom was at home when a home invasion happened and she was murdered. You never know when it is your time to go.

"There are no two ways about it. You've got your eyes open or you don't. Your're watching at midnight or you're not. You better be ready when it comes flying at you, skimming swiftly over the surface of time. The cares of this world are no excuses. Not father, mother, wife, nor children. No burials or births or weddings. Not fixing formula, scrubbing toilets, peddling pills or prose. Whatever the great human enterprise currently in hand, the point is to watch. All the rest is addenda. Seeking the kingdom is the essential integer." (And the Trees Clap Their Hands by Virginia Stem Owens.

This month God has been showing us that we need to change some of our priorities and realize our reason for living on this earth. We are called to be good parents to Josh, good stewards of our money and good friends, but most of all our mission is to live for Christ. The rest is just addenda.

October Update

My job (Megan) has changed this month, and I am now doing English remediation for Kinder, First and Second grade at Doulos Discovery School. Today was my first day with Kindergarten and it was tough. I had two children flat out refuse to the play the game I wanted them to play. One little boy said he was too tired and laid down. In my head I am thinking, what a disrespectful little kid and how it's going to be a long quarter. I ended the class discouraged and immediately went to the Pre-K teacher to ask her to come in and give me some pointers. She started telling me about the background of the one little boy and how his dad abandoned his family last year. His dad left his mom with a newborn baby and four other children to feed. Instantly my heart melted for him. I know that he will be a tough case and will take a lot of creative positive reinforcement, but now that I know where he is coming from, I have so much more compassion. It reminded me that I don't really know what my students carry with them each day in emotional  baggage. My class needs to be a refuge where they are learning while feeling loved and safe. How often are we quick to judge before we try to understand where others are coming from or how they are feeling? We are called to be the love of Jesus to all those around us.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest

Mathew 11:28

Dave's Update

Over the past couple months one of our sites has drastically changed and for the better.  At our field in Buena Vista, we had a team of older boys (16-19 years old), but some of these boys were at an age where they needed to get jobs and the team more or less fell apart.  We were praying about what to do and where we could minister if we needed to move from that field.  God, as always, answered in a big way.  One week, seemingly out of nowhere we had a bunch of younger guys, from ages 6-14, come and want to play.  We told them to spread the word and we would be back to practice with them the following week.  That week we had a little over 40 players show up to the field wanting to learn to play baseball.  Since then, we have formed a team of 16 boys ages 11-14 and have also continued practicing with the large group as well.  It has been great to see God transforming the hearts and attitudes of our boys.  They have learned a lot about working together and supporting each other as a team and not pointing fingers and yelling when they lose.  I know for us as leaders, we get frustrated at times when some of the boys stop coming, or when we don't see transformations as quickly as we would like.  During those times we try to take a step back and remind ourselves God is ultimately in control and he will bring exactly who he wants to our sites to hear His word whether its 6 boys playing basketball or 45 kids practicing baseball.  We are continually reminded how Christ did not only speak to the masses but also in small gatherings with the disciples.