Written by Rachel Pierce, Administrative Assistant
In Matthew 19:13-14 we find that parents are bringing their children to Jesus for him to bless them and pray for them. Jesus' disciples rebuke them, but Jesus replies, " Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Three years before I joined the staff of Mission Adelante, my family and I became volunteers with the Bhutanese ministry. My husband volunteered with the ESL program and I jumped in to helping out in Kid's Club. I started out with a group of 2nd and 3rd graders my first trimester of volunteering. I enjoyed the group of kids I was given, but my heart and experience was really with preschool aged children. From my second trimester on I have been leading groups of three, four, and five year old's. I am in my element with these little ones, and love seeing them grow.
At the end of the 2014 Spring trimester the little girl pictured above came to Kid's Club for the first time. She was about four years old then, she came with another little friend. Her friend adjusted and entered in to the activities at Kid's Club but this little sweetie was scared and shy. She spoke no English and she cried the entire time, but she kept coming back with her friend. She came back on the last night of the Spring trimester, which is a time when we celebrate with the kids. That night I brought Popsicle's to share with my group of preschoolers. I handed my new little friend a Popsicle and for the first time in three weeks she stopped crying and smiled. She ate her Popsicle and we became friends. From that time on she and I have been friends, she continues to come to Kid's Club and she is in 1st grade. I was away from Kid's Club for most of this trimester so that I could attend my daughter's volleyball games; last Tuesday night was my first time back. This sweet girl came into the room where we have Kid's Club, she saw me and smiled real big. She said, "You're here, I have missed you". It melted my heart, she is no longer in my group of kids at Kid's Club because she has moved up to an older group, but we still have a sweet connection. I am so glad to play a small part in her life, to help show Jesus to her. I love showing her how Jesus welcomes her and all of us.
My story is just one of many; I believe that all of our staff and volunteers have stories of friendships and personal connections that they have made with the adults, teens, and children that we meet at Mission Adelante. Our lives have been changed by the relationships we have made with the precious people that we journey with at Mission Adelante.
Important Dates:
- Trimester Break: Monday November 21st - Friday November 25th there will be no programs. This break gives our staff and volunteers a chance to relax and spend time with family and friends over the Thanksgiving holiday. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!