The end is in sight…

The end of the school year is in sight. I hope that you have had a good year as a Kids Hope prayer partner. I hope that you saw that your prayers have been answered and that your mentor’s and student’s relationship grew during the school year.

One of the highlights on our KHUSA calendar is the year end party. Prayer partners are invited to participate in the final get-together of the mentors and their students. There are some fun games and activities as well as snacks for all to participate in. Personally, I like to see the mentor relate with their student as well as get a chance to find out who the parents are when they come to pick up their child at the end of the festivities. It’s a really nice way to wrap up a year of focused prayer. To see them “live” just adds to the overall impact for me of what we are doing as KHUSA prayer partners.

I would encourage all prayer partners at this point in the year to finish this year in the strongest manner possible. If you can, meet again with your mentor partner and get a year end update on how the year went and what can be prayed for over the summer. In addition, if there are any year-end activities, check to see if you can attend as a prayer partner, it is a great confirmation that the ministry of Kids Hope USA is both meaningful and very worth the time and effort.

Also, be in prayer for the overall ministry and mission of Kids Hope USA. This unique ministry is growing and can use our prayer support as well.

Blessings.
Steve W.

The Holiday Season Is Upon Us

The Holiday Season is Upon Us.

I remember eagerly anticipating holiday vacations when I was in school.  The best stretch of vacation always started with Thanksgiving.  School had been underway for quite some time and there had been no serious time off except for a day or so sometime before the Thanksgiving holiday.

But, the days between Thanksgiving and the Christmas / New Years break were different!  They seemed to go by very quickly.  In addition, there were always holiday activities to attend and participate in that broke up the routine of school work.  For these reasons, this part of the school year always was more enjoyable for me.  (After the holidays came the “deep winter” – but, that is another story!)  Anyway, as I look back now, I appreciate the simplicity that my life had at that point without the responsibilities of being an adult with a job and family members to support and the holidays just emphasized the good we can experience.  This is the point that we have reached in the current school year and I thought you might be encouraged by a scripture that ties in with the “giving of thanks”.  (Rejoicing, too!)

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Rejoice always, pray continually give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

It is unfortunate that not all children live with the same joys and happy memories that I had.  However, I am thankful for the opportunity that KHUSA gives me to pray for these at-risk children.  I rejoice when God answers these prayers and blesses the relationship being built between my mentor and my KHUSA child.  I also find it good to know that these activities fall squarely into God’s will for me.

As we begin the holiday season, know that our work in prayer makes a huge difference and directly reflects God’s will for us.  Thanks again for your efforts.

Blessings,

Steve W.

“Unusually” Friendly Islanders

My job has allowed me to travel internationally over the past 20 years.  My travels have taken me to large metropolitan cities in Europe as well as small jungle villages in the Far East.  Seeing the world has been eye opening in regards to the world our God has created and the people groups that He loves and cares for.

On one of these trips, I was in a small village in Malaysia.  I was visiting a factory and we were having dinner with the factory management.  On hand at the meeting was a person who I did not know, that was also from the United States.  We began discussing where we were from and to our amazement, we discovered that we both had lived in the same town.  We found out that we actually knew a number of the same people!  So, in the midst of a foreign jungle, half-way around the world from home, I discovered that I had a new friend and business associate!  More importantly, I found out that his job at the factory was to ensure the quality of the products we had ordered.  Having this more personal connection gave me great confidence that the products we had ordered were being handled with the care and concern I had hoped for.

In a similar manner, God knows how to provide friends and advocates when we need them – especially during the challenging times in our lives.  For example, when the apostle Paul was shipwrecked on the island of Malta, God provided local people that were “unusually” friendly and provided for their needs.  (Acts 28)  God has the amazing ability to provide support for people when they are in difficult and challenging circumstances.  KHUSA volunteers are like these “unusually” friendly islanders!

Your KHUSA child is at a place in their life where they need friends and advocates.  Mentors are there to provide friendship and support in person as they meet weekly.  As prayer partners, we provide advocacy and support through prayer.  Asking for God’s blessing in the lives of these children is a great honor and privilege.  It has also proven to be essential to the success of the KHUSA program.

As always, thank you for your commitment, love, and prayers for the children being served by KHUSA.

Blessings,

Steve W.

Spring / Summer / Fall / Winter

Where I live in West Michigan, the seasons are changing.  As I write this blog entry, one of the first snow falls is taking place.  The snow may not accumulate today, but eventually it will and autumn will make way for winter.  The seasons here in Michigan are distinct and each has its own features and benefits.

In chapter 3 of the book of Ecclesiastes, the author makes the point that in life, there are seasons as well.  I won’t go into all the different types of seasons, but he states at the beginning of his writing, that:

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” – Eccl.: 3:1

This scripture gives me perspective that in life, there is a common pattern or a pace and rhythm, which gives our lives structure.  Some of life’s seasons are enjoyable, and some are not so enjoyable.  However, knowing that the seasons do eventually change, allows me to prepare for the less than enjoyable seasons, and anticipate and embrace the enjoyable seasons when they finally arrive.

OK, so how does this apply to our roles as KHUSA prayer partners??  Good question!

Well, we are blessed with the opportunity to pray for a young person that may be in a very tough season of their young lives.  Their time spent with their KHUSA mentor may be one of the few times in their week where they are the focus of someone’s undivided attention.  There are many KHUSA stories about the positive difference that this relationship makes on a child.  Our role as prayer partners has been proven to make a huge difference in the effectiveness and success of the KHUSA volunteers.  Our prayers are an integral part of minimizing the negative effect of a rough season, and may even shorten the time that a difficult season lingers for an at-risk child.  Knowing this motivates me to pray more effectively for my mentor and KHUSA child!

Keep up the good work and thanks again for your commitment to pray…..now, do I go rake one final time, or do I go get the snow-thrower out of storage?

Blessings,

Steve W.

Prayer – It’s Only (Super) Natural!

I think it is a very “natural” thing for us to pray.  Praying is a “normal” activity for people of faith.  God wants to hear from us, and He promises that He will hear us and respond to our requests.  However, I often make the mistake by thinking that it all stops there…even though prayer can come quite “naturally” for us, the results of our prayers are anything but “natural”.

I often need to remind myself that prayer is a “super-natural” activity that we are blessed to have at our disposal.  After a prayer leaves our lips or minds, it is heard by our Father in the “heavenly realms”.  When we pray, God listens.  When we pray, God acts.  The scriptures are filled with amazing events that don’t just happen “naturally”.   They happened because people of faith prayed and God acted in a super-natural manner.  As KHUSA prayer partners, we pray in the confidence that God will respond super-naturally to our requests and bless the life and circumstances of our KHUSA child.

November has been designated National Prayer Month by the Kids Hope USA home office in Zeeland, MI.  I like that type of focus!  Unlike many organizations, KHUSA recognizes the important role that prayer plays in the effectiveness of its organization, volunteers, and most importantly, the lives of the children that it ministers to.  As you pray this month for your KHUSA child and mentor, be reminded that you are working with a super-natural God that has unlimited love, power, and wisdom.

Take a few moments and see how you can participate in the KHUSA National Prayer Month activities.  You can sign up to pray during the 24/7 prayer week– November 18-22, 2013 by clicking on this link http://www.timetosignup.com/kidshopeusa/signupsheet/19673.  Or, participate in the National Prayer Call on November 22, 2013 at 1:00 PM by calling 1-888-853-9372 and enter the passcode 6510639.  You can also email your prayer stories to Chris Reinsma creinsma@kidshopeusa.org and/or encourage the home office staff.

Thanks again for your faithful support.

Steve W.

“…while it was still dark…”

In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. – Mark 1:35

Praying quite often is a solitary activity.  This verse from Mark 1:35 gives us some insight as to how Jesus prayed.  He got up early, He got away from his normal surroundings, He went to a place that was quiet, and He prayed.  These are all helpful guidelines for us to consider as we pray for God’s will and make requests for others and for ourselves.  But, as I read this scripture recently, something new jumped off the page at me…..Jesus prayed while it was still dark.

Darkness is rarely described in the scriptures as something good.  It is often described as a place of loneliness, confusion, and hopelessness.  Left unchecked, darkness can grow in our lives to the point where is overshadows our blessings and makes circumstances unclear, disorienting, and hopeless.  An at-risk child in this type of darkness is an even more distressing image.

Conversely, light is often ascribed as a fundamental attribute of God and brings clarity, warmth, and hope.  When we pray for an at-risk child, it is often during a time of great darkness in their lives.  Circumstances beyond their control may have introduced confusion, loneliness, and hopelessness into their world.  As prayer partners, we do what Jesus did.  We pray while it is still dark for a new dawn.  We pray for the light of God’s grace, hope, and blessings to shine into a young person’s life.

Thank you again for all of your prayers and commitment to the work of Kids Hope USA.

Blessings.

Steve W.

A-H of how to be a Prayer Partner

Dear Prayer Partners,

Welcome back!  Fall is now officially here and I hope your summer was full of enjoyment.  The new school year has also begun and Kids Hope USA programs all over the country are now getting fully underway.

As always, I appreciate the commitment that you are making to your mentor and your KHUSA kid for this school year.  Research has confirmed that prayer makes all the difference in the effectiveness of our work with at-risk children. Your efforts in prayer are an integral part of the work of KHUSA.

As the year begins, I like to go through a check list of things that help me be an effective prayer partner.  Here are  the items on my check list:

A. Confirm the day and time my mentor and KHUSA kid meet during the week.
B. Confirm in my own schedule the times I will pray.
C. Pray on a national scale for KHUSA, its mission, and staff.
D. Pray for the overall school environment, administration, and staff.
E. Pray against any roadblocks that may stop at-risk children from being identified at the school.
F. Set up a time to meet with my mentor on a regular basis for updates and insights into what to pray for.
G. I review the latest updates on the KHUSA website so that I am “up to speed” with all that KHUSA is doing.
H. Consider making a donation to the ministry of KHUSA….its money well spent.

As I get these items checked off my list and I begin to pray, I will have a strong foundation on which to build my prayers for the coming school year.  Thanks again and have a great year!

Steve W.

Romans 8:26 – In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

 

Finishing Strong

Dear Prayer Partners,

Happy Spring!  We are at the stage in the school year where we can see the “light and the end of the tunnel”.   There are only a handful of meetings left between the mentors and their kids this year.  I hope you have not lost any enthusiasm for praying for your mentor and KHUSA kid.  As always, I encourage that the prayer partners and mentors meet in person to discuss the status of the relationship and identify the most important things to pray for.  If you haven’t met recently with your mentor, this may be a great time to do so and refocus your prayer efforts.

I had a recent life-lesson regarding prayer….Unfortunately, last month, I lost my father after a short battle with cancer.  Thankfully, he was a believer and we look forward to seeing him again.  During his illness, many people were praying for him and my family and I could tell that God was answering those prayers for strength and comfort.  Despite the tough circumstances we found ourselves in, we experienced many blessings as well.

Having personally walked through this time with my father and mother has heightened my ability to identify with others who are going through the same thing.  I have a greater sense of the loss, the compassion needed, and the strength required to endure and overcome.  I know that where God has brought comfort to me, He can bring comfort to others.  This concept is expressed in 2 Corinthians 1:  “3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

Being able to identify with others is a great motivator for me to pray for them.  When I take the time to find out about the specific struggles and challenges someone faces, I am more motivated to pray for God’s blessing for them.  Not only are my prayers more focused, they are filled with more care, more concern, and more compassion.  This makes perfect sense as I pray for my KHUSA kid!  I want God to bless them in the challenges that they face with the same compassion and comfort that he has blessed my life with.

Thank you again for being a faithful prayer partner.  I appreciate that God is known as the “God of compassion and all comfort” and that our prayers are one of the effective methods God uses in bringing His compassion and comfort into the life of an at-risk child.

Keep up the good work and let’s finish strong.

Best Regards.

Steve W.

With / For / Against

Early in my Christian walk, I was able to go into a local state prison and participate with the inmates in  a Bible study.  We did the traditional Bible study things…we sang, we studied, we discussed, we prayed.  For many of the inmates, the hour we spent in the study was a safe environment where they didn’t need be on guard against the other inmates who may try to manipulate or intimidate them.  They were more relaxed and able to open up and share a bit of their faith with those of us who came in to minister to them.  A few of the inmates, though, would use the opportunity to do a bit of “grand-standing” while praying.  They would pray a bit too long, a bit too loud, or they would use very religious language to impress those of us from the “outside” and their fellow inmates with their advanced (faux) spirituality!

One of the great personal benefits in going to this Bible study was that I was able to spend time with “Bob”- the prison ministry leader.  He was wise and gentle, but firm, and had a way of explaining God’s word to these troubled young men.  Well, on one particular evening, a young man started praying and while it started out just fine, it quickly degraded into a self-focused and lengthy prayer that any Pharisee would have been proud of.  Later, Bob taught me a very important lesson about prayer based on the way this young man prayed.

Bob said in response to the young man’s self-focused prayer: “First I was praying WITH him, then, I was praying FOR him, finally, I was praying AGAINST him!”  I laughed out loud….his words were very true and over the years, I have found them to be a very accurate method of praying for people.

Praying WITH Someone – In this situation, it is an honor to come alongside another person and pray for what is important to them and their lives at the moment, praying in faith that God will hear combined prayers and grant them.

Praying FOR Someone – In this situation, we pray on behalf of someone who may not have the will, strength, or wisdom to pray for themselves.

Praying AGAINST Someone – Praying against someone is really asking God to shut down and thwart sinful activities and attitudes that are harmful.  In the case of the young man in prison, by the end of his prayer, Bob was silently pleading with God for the prayer to mercifully come to an end!  I’m sure if we all think about it long enough, we all have a story from our lives where we would be better off if someone had prayed against our poor choices and actions.  You are really asking God to protect them from themselves!

In conclusion, think about Bob’s advice and see how you might be more effective in praying WITH, FOR, or AGAINST others.  As always, thanks again for your tireless efforts in praying for KHUSA, your mentor, and your KHUSA kid.

Blessings.

Steve W.

Miracle-Grow

In my prayers this week, I realized that I am somewhat of an “Environmentalist”.  Perhaps you are as well.  What I am NOT talking about here is having clean water, fresh air, and driving an ecologically sensitive vehicle. (Although those are all good things!)  What I AM talking about is praying for the environment that surrounds our KHUSA kid.

We all know that plants grow best when they are in a healthy environment and are provided with clean air, fresh water, warm sunshine, and rich soil.  The same principal applies to kids.  Much of a young person’s growth, maturing, and ultimate fruitfulness are dependent on their environment.  I was very encouraged to realize that we can also pray very effectively for all of these factors for our KHUSA kid.

In a nutshell, we can pray for many things that are “environmental” in nature.  We can pray for a healthy and vibrant home-life, we can pray for the school administration and staff as they provide greatly to the environment in which these children learn, we can pray for encouraging school friends and influences so that growth opportunities are maximized.  We can pray against the many “pests” that can negatively effect a healthy environment….the list of environmental factors to pray for is almost limitless!

Take a few minutes this week and analyze how you could pray more effectively for these “environmental” factors.  You may find a few that you haven’t prayed for before.  What we are really doing is asking the Master Gardener to apply just the right amount of “Miracle-Grow” to the life of our KHUSA kid.

As always, thank you for your consistent intercession on behalf of your Kids Hope USA kid and mentor.

Blessings.

Steve W.