Joy, Love, and Hope

By Dave, Executive Director

As the Executive Director, a lot of my time is spent on activities like building relationships with our many partners, fundraising, and working with the administrative staff and board. Some of the time I cherish the most is when I’m in one of the six communities we serve with our Outreach Workers and program participants. While recently visiting our program in Flemingdon Park, there was one boy who was very withdrawn from the group and shy to speak. After the Bible lesson, he began to  write in his workbook. I asked if he would share it with me and he enthusiastically did. He showed me that he'd drawn a picture of a cross and that he wanted Jesus to be his friend. Does it get any better than this?

Each community is as different as are the people who live there. One thing that is common wherever I visit are expressions of joy, love, and hope. That isn’t to say there aren’t times of sadness, anger, and frustration, but the positive far outweighs the negative. The children are welcoming and always bring a smile to my face. Meeting with the Outreach Workers, the kids, and their families grounds me in why we do what we do.

The staff share God’s word with them the kids, shower them with unconditional love, and help nurture their growth as God’s children. Witnessing lives being transformed gives me hope for the communities we serve.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. Jeremiah 29:11-12