Thanksgiving – Sparks making a difference behind the scenes
We write a lot about our community members and what a blessing it is to be serving and sharing our lives with them. However I wanted to share about the other parts of our ministry that may not be mentioned as much but are vital to who we are.
There are people and churches in the background that allow us to do what can be seen on the front lines. We have Sparks that spend time in prayer for us using our monthly prayer emails as a guide to be intentional about how they pray for us. Their prayers speak volumes as we experience a child asking for help that once did everything they could to avoid doing homework because they were embarrassed of what they didn’t know. Or a mom that wants to seek Jesus and leave behind a harmful lifestyle. We cannot measure the impact of prayer that we have experienced in our ministry.
Our Sparks that volunteer their time on a weekly basis, creating a place of belonging for children that are experiencing bullying at school; spending time with a student that is struggling with understanding a math equation; or walking alongside a teen that is facing depression. Many don’t want to be acknowledged and often don’t feel like they are offering much, but their heart and genuine care is more valuable than they will ever know.
Finances are a reality in the world we live in and our Sparks who give regularly allow us to keep up with paying our bills, provide supplies for our programs, and allow our staff to provide for themselves and their families. Whatever the amount, I am always humbled when I see the number of years that people have committed to giving so that TCM can create a sustainable foundation to continue building relationships with children and families impacted by poverty.
As most working people experience, your time is spent more with your colleagues than with your family/friends. However, I feel that I do not experience this because I have come to know my “colleagues” as friends and family. I have learned what it means to live selflessly and sacrificially. Some have told me repeatedly that they feel that they are receiving so much more than they are giving. I have seen God’s grace through them as they show patience to those that struggle with the same challenges over and over again. They encourage others (myself included) to continue to look to Christ. To give thanks to Him when times are good and to look to His strength when times are difficult.