The 2018-2019 Leaders In Training
By Megan McDermott, Director of Latino Kids Ministries
Have you ever felt like you weren’t good enough or maybe a little too much? I know I have, and I would venture to say that that’s true of most people. Starting during childhood, we receive so many different messages about who we should be, how we should act, and where our value lies. These messages may or may not be true. Many of us, perhaps in an effort to fit into a group that we want to belong to, begin to believe lies about who we are.
In Leaders in Training, our after school character and leadership development program, we are diving into a deep topic this year: the armor of God. The Bible lists for us the protective garments that are available to us, that make us “able to stand against the schemes of the devil,” including his attempts to corrupt our grasp of our true identity. Though it is a profoundly spiritual topic, the LIT kids are practicing using the spiritual armor that is available to them, and embracing the truth of who God says they are.
Last week, we asked the question, “What is a lie you believe about yourself?” The kids shared their struggle with feeling unworthy of love. They expressed their frustration with believing the lie that they aren’t smart. Many of them feel like they aren’t good enough; failures in all they try to do. These are CHILDREN that feel this shame, worthlessness, and pain.
On the spur of the moment, led by the Lord, we had each of the kids change the lie they were believing into a truth statement. Instead of saying, “I don’t have anything to offer,” we had them affirm the truth to themselves that they do! It was a deep and healing time for all of us involved, reminding us that we are all children of God!
Interested in learning a little bit more how to volunteer with these amazing kids? Email meganm@missionadelante.org for more info.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Have you ever wondered what goes on at a typical night of programming at Mission Adelante? Adelante Arts Community, Refugee Kids Club, Latino ESL, and Kids Adelante have Observation Nights coming up: Mondays, November 5 and 12, 6:30 - 8:30 pm; Tuesdays, November 6 and 13, 6:30 - 8:30 pm; and Thursdays, November 8 and 15, 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Visit www.missionadelante.org/observe to sign up!
CURRENT NEEDS:
Do you have a gently-used keyboard or guitar that you're not using? Adelante Arts Community needs it! Mission Adelante is in need of 3 portable keyboards and 5 acoustic guitars for their expanding Arts Community. Please email Gissell Vazquez at gissellv@missionadelante.org if you have an instrument you’d like to donate.