Greetings and Happy Holidays
The month of November was a very encouraging time. One of the most encouraging experiences has been meeting the volunteers working within the Juvenile Justice Ministry. Some of these volunteers have been working with the kids in these facilities for over 10 years. It has been heartwarming to see the commitment, energy, and effort these volunteers put into the activities they do for the kids. In Sedgwick County there are four facilities which have somewhere around 150 kids at any given time. Most of the kids we work with range in age from 14 to 17 and are your typical teenagers. Even though we have great volunteers there is still room for you! Whether you like to read, ride horses, cook, bicycle, jog, or teach, depending upon the facility, you could use your hobby or something you are passionate about as a way to teach and instill confidence in these young people.
The message of this holiday season is buried deep within all of us. It is the message of reclamation. Throughout this month there are some things you can pray about for these kids. For some, this will be the first holiday they are not around family and friends. Last week two different individuals were literally in tears because, for the first time in their lives, they were not going to be home for the holidays. The majority of these teens are not what you consider "hardened criminals". Last month out of all the children I spoke with there was only one who had committed a violent crime. Many of the children in these facilities are there because of poor family relationships, the inability to cope with life as they see it, truancy, or some other nonviolent action. Most always our choices do result in consequences, and yet I hope that no one receiving this letter has the mindset that these kids "deserve what they get". During this Christmas season we are all reminded of a child born in a manger who made it possible for us to “not get what we deserve”. Life has a way of giving all of us things we may not necessarily feel we deserve. During this time of the year we all need to be aware of those children who need to experience some grace and kindness in their lives.
Janis and I would like to say thank you to everyone whose donations have made it possible for us to begin receiving a part-time paycheck. We are still working towards raising funds for a full-time paycheck, insurance benefits and the miscellaneous expenses associated with the ministry. Please feel free to call or send me an e-mail if you have any questions regarding the finances of the ministry.
The message of this holiday season is buried deep within all of us. It is the message of reclamation. Since the beginning of recorded history we have been made painfully aware of how self-centered the human race can be. We have also seen unselfish acts of goodness which have changed whole communities. My prayer for all of us this holiday season is that we will not only consider our spiritual reclamation, but also to consider the reclamation of our communities. God has uniquely gifted each one of us with talents and gifts; we have the privilege of sharing these gifts with others to encourage or to comfort. This holiday season, might we all consider finding ways to share these gifts on a daily basis.
Wishing everyone the very best,
Chuck & Janis
The month of November was a very encouraging time. One of the most encouraging experiences has been meeting the volunteers working within the Juvenile Justice Ministry. Some of these volunteers have been working with the kids in these facilities for over 10 years. It has been heartwarming to see the commitment, energy, and effort these volunteers put into the activities they do for the kids. In Sedgwick County there are four facilities which have somewhere around 150 kids at any given time. Most of the kids we work with range in age from 14 to 17 and are your typical teenagers. Even though we have great volunteers there is still room for you! Whether you like to read, ride horses, cook, bicycle, jog, or teach, depending upon the facility, you could use your hobby or something you are passionate about as a way to teach and instill confidence in these young people.
The message of this holiday season is buried deep within all of us. It is the message of reclamation. Throughout this month there are some things you can pray about for these kids. For some, this will be the first holiday they are not around family and friends. Last week two different individuals were literally in tears because, for the first time in their lives, they were not going to be home for the holidays. The majority of these teens are not what you consider "hardened criminals". Last month out of all the children I spoke with there was only one who had committed a violent crime. Many of the children in these facilities are there because of poor family relationships, the inability to cope with life as they see it, truancy, or some other nonviolent action. Most always our choices do result in consequences, and yet I hope that no one receiving this letter has the mindset that these kids "deserve what they get". During this Christmas season we are all reminded of a child born in a manger who made it possible for us to “not get what we deserve”. Life has a way of giving all of us things we may not necessarily feel we deserve. During this time of the year we all need to be aware of those children who need to experience some grace and kindness in their lives.
Janis and I would like to say thank you to everyone whose donations have made it possible for us to begin receiving a part-time paycheck. We are still working towards raising funds for a full-time paycheck, insurance benefits and the miscellaneous expenses associated with the ministry. Please feel free to call or send me an e-mail if you have any questions regarding the finances of the ministry.
The message of this holiday season is buried deep within all of us. It is the message of reclamation. Since the beginning of recorded history we have been made painfully aware of how self-centered the human race can be. We have also seen unselfish acts of goodness which have changed whole communities. My prayer for all of us this holiday season is that we will not only consider our spiritual reclamation, but also to consider the reclamation of our communities. God has uniquely gifted each one of us with talents and gifts; we have the privilege of sharing these gifts with others to encourage or to comfort. This holiday season, might we all consider finding ways to share these gifts on a daily basis.
Wishing everyone the very best,
Chuck & Janis
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