Is It Worth the Trouble?

We bring children to church every Sunday from the low-income apartments at the end of our block. It’s a lot of work. We go and visit each Friday night. We get vans and pick them up on Sunday morning. Feed them breakfast. Teach a lesson. Load up children and return them home with some cookies.

Last Sunday was no different, except for all the additional problems we had over and above the usual problems. Kids were disrespectful, cussing, calling each other names and very rowdy. But, we made it through.

So, after all this work and a day like Sunday, it would be easy to ask. Is this really worth the trouble?

Why? Why do we do this?

The Older Boys

There were three older boys who came with us on Sunday. Two of them only stay at the apartments on the weekends and had never been before, but they are related in some way to one of the younger children that have been coming (sister, cousin, niece or someone). So they decided to try it out. I think the real reason was because they heard we were serving breakfast and wanted some free food.

Since this was the first time we had older (8lth and 9th grade) boys come, I decided to take them to a class with me. Andy Wilson joined me to help teach the class. We had 4 boys counting my son David.

I asked how often these guys go to church and one said it had been about 5 years since he had been. Another goes once or twice a year….maybe?

I decided to start with the basics. I said the Bible is divided into two sections. With a little help they were able to figure it out, the Old and the New. By the way, do you know the meaning of the word “testament”?

You and I know who Moses is and we know where the 10 commandments came from? You would think that everyone has heard the story. But, not these guys.

The New is better than the Old

We got to spend about 40 minutes explaining the difference between the Old Agreement and the New Agreement. Yes, I simplified the terms to make it easier to understand.

These boys got to hear about Jesus and His love for them. That God cared for them enough to die in their place and for their sins. They heard that they could be made right with God and live with Him forever, not based on keeping commandments (Old), but on believing in Jesus (New).

Why do I do this?

I saw the eyes of one young teenage boy begin to light up as he heard about the good news of Jesus Christ. That one moment, to me, was worth all that we have done over the last 6 months.

I do this so children, who come from very hard and painful circunstances, can hear about the love and grace of God experienced through a relationship with Jesus Christ. And yes, it is worth the trouble.

Thank you for your prayers and support as we continue on this journey.