Sowing Hope Grace

I don't know about you, but last week wore me out. It was HOT! As temperatures climbed to the triple digets, we had to cancel our regular Wednesday and Thursday Bible Clubs due to the extreme heat index. After a long, hot week, a dip in the pool was long overdue. On Friday, Jacob and I had the chance to grab about 15 kids and head to Dave and Michelle Sorg's house to cool down. Personally, I haven't been out to actually play in a pool for years. It was refreshing to hang out with the kids in this new environment. From the slide, the hot dogs, and the floaties to the total pool war that broke out using noodles, squirt guns and our best dunking techniques, the kids had a blast. The whole way home, they were thanking us and telling us how much fun they had. We even had one girl ask if we could do it again next month. Ha, we'll see.

At lunch time, Jacob shared with the kids, telling them about how we can demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ by loving each other. How can we love each other even while we're playing in the pool? Eating lunch? What are some things we can say to each other that will build up our friends instead of tearing them down?

It was a wonderful day, full of fun and connecting with the kids. Never should we overlook the impact of even the simple things and opportunities that come our way. I believe we were able to make a difference even in the simple act of taking the kids to the pool for a day and having a cookout with hotdogs and cookies. They will be asking to do this again until frogs grow wings and fly away, and I am 100% okay with that. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I've been so encouraged as I've watching this ministry grow in my two summers here. It has allowed us to touch the lives of even more children as well as expand our activites, even adding new ones! One of my favorite things about this summer so far is seeing some of the older Sowing Hope students step up and help the younger ones. Two of them specifically have been an almost constant presence in a lot of our projects and events. They gave their Friday morning to help us sort the clothes that had been donated Sunday mornings, and have volunteered to help in some of our Bible Clubs. We have loved watching them grow into young leaders, even in front of their peers. Then on Friday, another boy stepped up and helped one of our five-year olds pray before lunch. I personally had not seen him lead in that capacity before, and was greatly encouraged! These are just a few illustrations of how our ministry in the southside of Wooster has been impacting lives and growing children to be leaders in their own communities. We're so excited to see what the Lord has planned for their livesas we continue to serve them.

The water fun will continue tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 at the Wooster Towers! Tomorrow morning, Pastor Ivanildo will be holding a seminar, talking about ministry being a presence not a project. Then in the afternoon, people will have the chance to visit the Towers and see our southside ministry in action! We'll be having a water obsticle course with water balloons, super soakers, a slip 'n' slide, and a sprinkler all at the same time! Then we'll have snowcones and a massive waterballoon fight! Jacob and I are really excited :)

Thank you all so much for your prayers as we look toward the conclusion of our summer.