On the fourth Sunday of June, the Justice and Mercy Ministry Team partnered with the Hallows Kid’s Ministry. They shared with the preschool and elementary kids that all people are created in God’s image, are loved by Him, and are called to love God with all our hearts, souls and minds and to also love our neighbors as ourselves. Because loving our neighbor includes caring for those in need of the basics of food, water and shelter, the kids then assembled care packages addressing those three points of need. Here is how one family has seen God working in their son’s life since then.
Daniel is an energetic little boy who turns 4-years old this Saturday. He has been blessed to be a part of the Hallows Kids’ Ministry since he was born and I have seen first-hand how the consistent, diligent, thoughtful and practical teaching he receives each week is helping to form his heart.
A few weeks ago in the Kid’s Ministry, as a tangible expression of Christ’s love, the kids assembled care packages to hand out with their parents to people who are living on the street. Inside the care packages were some snacks, water, personal hygiene products (like a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.), as well as some information about homeless services and locations where people could go to take a shower.
Our family has had many conversations about people who are homeless, and we keep Gatorade and Nutri-Grain bars in our car to hand out when we see someone in need standing near a stoplight. I know that Daniel is starting to think more complexly about people in need, because the last time we handed out a bar and a drink, he said, “Mommy, we just gave them food, so why are they still holding up their sign?”
I talked with Daniel about the contents of the care package that he had made at church, and told him to be on the lookout for someone holding a sign asking for help. He inquisitively asked how the person was going to use the shampoo if they didn’t have a home with a shower. I explained as best I could about the pamphlet with information about public showers. A day or two after that, he said, “Mommy, I want to build a house someday.” I replied with something like “Maybe you will someday, buddy”… thinking he was referring to something about his love of construction vehicles. Then he said, “I want to build a house for the people who don’t have homes, so they can take a shower with the shampoo I’m going to give them.”
My heart about broke as I hugged him and told him how much his kindness and thoughtfulness for others pleases God. Thank you to all of you who volunteer in and lead our Kids’ Ministry. Your efforts are helping to plant the seeds of redemption and change in our little ones (even if they may not always seem like they are paying attention)!