R.E.S.C.U.E

The name of the Lord is a Strong Tower; the righteous run to it and are Saved. -Proverbs 18:10


This last week, 1500+ kids learned that God is our deliverer, provider, healer, protector and worthy of our praise. In so many ways this last week, I too was reaffirmed of how God is my own deliverer, provider, healer, protector and is always and forever worthy of my praise, no matter what is happening around me. As I look back on this last week, there are a few moments of pure joy that I want to write down and share.

Tuesday: The story begins on Monday with a grandparent upset over circumstances pertaining to the way her grandson was being disciplined. I was the closest staff to the classroom and called in to "handle" this now heated argument. I remember walking in and thinking, "There is no way I know how to handle this situation". Praying in my head for Jesus to help me, I calmly laid my hand on the grandma's arm and asked her to gather her grandson and lets go talk outside. She was worked up and somehow I was suppose to calm her down and try to solve this issue. I continued to pray and knew I needed assistance. I was able to calm her down and call a staff to come out and oversaw them talk her through the situation and solution. The highlight for me was the following day (Tuesday) I was walking through the building and caught her sitting in the lobby taking a break. I walked up with a smile and asked how she was doing. Randomly she says, "You look like a swim coach"...kinda taken a back, I asked, "why do you say that?"...she responded with..."you just look like you belong in a swim suit with a whistle around your neck"...honestly I still don't know how I was suppose to respond to that comment other than by telling her, "well you are correct in that I was a swim coach for 5 years, but this body is not appearing in a bathing suit in public for a long while!" We both laughed.

Friday: This 7th grader has a reputation for being difficult, and in a lot of ways he lived up to it this last week. By Tuesday, he's original placement coordinator was overly frustrated with him and by Wednesday morning asked that he not return to her station. I decided to try to give him some responsibility by placing him with one of our special needs preschoolers. About 3 hours into the task, the 7th grader was worn out and wanting to go back to his old job. We choose to place him with his grandfather who was serving so that eyes could be kept on him. By friday, most people on the campus knew him, and not for the right reasons. For some reason, I just couldn't give up on him and every time I saw him I praised him for something he had done well. About halfway through the morning on friday, I'm walking through the building and two coordinators pull me aside with the 7th grader looking quite frustrated. Jesus, give me wisdom please. I get the story explained to me with the coordinator's last words, "were just not sure what to do at this point"... oh great, and I'm suppose to? I ask the 7th grader, did the bad words that you said involve telling someone to be quiet in a not nice way...oh yes I did say that. Ok, we're making progress. I shared with him that if people are saying things to him, that he needs to tell an adult and have them take care of the issue. Secondly, there is a child physically hurt due to his choices. I tell him that we are all sinners, Christ died for my sins and his sins. I have forgiven him, and I need him(7th grader) to go and ask the kindergarten for forgiveness as well. I then asked if he could handle the responsibility of remaining with his grandpa or if he needed to remain at my side. He chose to remain with his grandpa. About an hour later, I find him at my side saying, "Can I stay with you the rest of the day?" I loved seeing how Jesus worked through me to pour into him. I know most the time  people are telling him what he has done wrong and I wanted to be Jesus to him, and I'm sure I messed up, but I can only pray that Jesus taught him something.

Sorry my stories get long.

It really is in times of need that I feel the strength of God flowing through me. He came to my rescue so many times this last week and I want nothing more than to praise Him for the opportunity I had to serve Him in that way. It was such a blessing to connect with as many people as I did and serve them in whatever way I could.

R.E.S.C.U.E Receive Everlasting Salvation in Christ's Ultimate Embrace. 

Jesus, I pray for the hearts of the 200+ plus children who came forward and received that gift this last week. Jesus I pray that you would bring them back to church and allow for many believers to come beside them throughout their life and encourage them to follow you always. I pray for the 500+ volunteers we had who gave of their time and energy to pour into your children. Jesus, give them the rest they need and fill them up with the strength only you provide. Thank you Jesus for delivering us from sin, providing us with your body as a sacrifice, for healing us through your resurrection, and for protecting us from the evil one for you deserve all the praise and glory for all that was accomplished this last week and all that will be done in and through each person who was impacted by these moments. Thank you Jesus for the rescue that you made and the beautiful way you provided that bridge. This last week, I felt your embrace many times and in many people and I pray that you would continue to encourage and direct me in ways so that I can continue to share your love with others. 

In Your name Jesus I pray,

Amen.