Feeling De Evening Breeze & More

[Diplomat]

Re: Feeling De Evening Breeze & More


The under-8s going off for their class. The over-8s in their activity time.

[rudemonk]

Re: Feeling De Evening Breeze & More

it's kinda crazy, a lot of people will bring down crayons, notebooks, whatever they can stuff into their suitcases from kmart or wherever, but what many kids need is a lunch.

[Marilyn]

Re: Feeling De Evening Breeze & More

The lesson: Be careful with the words you use. Like squeezing the toothpaste out of the tube, once they are out (spoken) they cannot be put back in. They understood.

[evanovitch]

Re: Feeling De Evening Breeze & More

CEW i found out yessiday dat a group of kids r brought up here to where i am each summer fr Ja...a church effort....do u know of it?..

[hannahcommunications]

Re: Feeling De Evening Breeze & More

LOVE this report CEW! The younger these kids are when they receive these positive messages you shared about confidence, Faith, relationships, respect etc., the better.

[Diplomat]

Re: Feeling De Evening Breeze & More

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: monk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">it's kinda crazy, a lot of people will bring down crayons, notebooks, whatever they can stuff into their suitcases from kmart or wherever, but what many kids need is a lunch. </div></div>That much is true, which is why we included lunch as a part of VBS. Also, our group has partnered with the local church and will be providing funding to equip their kitchen so they can start a food program for children and seniors.

[Diplomat]

Re: Feeling De Evening Breeze &amp; More

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Marilyn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The lesson: Be careful with the words you use. Like squeezing the toothpaste out of the tube, once they are out (spoken) they cannot be put back in. They understood.

</div></div>
Thanks for dropping in. Much appreciated

[Diplomat]

Re: Feeling De Evening Breeze &amp; More

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovitch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">CEW i found out yessiday dat a group of kids r brought up here to where i am each summer fr Ja...a church effort....do u know of it?.. </div></div>
No, I don't, though it would be interesting to know a bit more about that program, and what activities the kids are engaged in.

[Diplomat]

Re: Feeling De Evening Breeze &amp; More

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: StAnnMuse</div><div class="ubbcode-body">LOVE this report CEW! The younger these kids are when they receive these positive messages you shared about confidence, Faith, relationships, respect etc., the better.

</div></div>
Agreed, and thanks for tagging along The benefits from the program continue as we recently found out that there were over forty kids in attendance at a recent youth meeting, the most they have ever had. God is good

[Diplomat]

Re: Feeling De Evening Breeze &amp; More

<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Reflections...</span></span>

After VBS, we would get back to the hotel about 2:00 p.m. where we debriefed (basically assess how things went, did we accomplish our objectives, what we did well or could have done better, and so on). From 4-5 we had dinner, and we were through the doors again by 6:00 for evening meetings/services.

When I wasn't in my room reading, hanging out on the balcony was my thing to do, and on this particular day I was reflecting on the something the group hadn't talked about but which excited me immeasurably: the number of boys attending VBS. They were not all boy scouts; some of the older ones were quite the handful but from the first day I felt a strong kinship with them and so I stayed with a group of about ten. They had the tween attitude alright, and some of them figured they were too cool for VBS, yet for one reason or another they were there - the majority of them everyday. Some of them wouldn't talk to any of us beyond what was necessary, but they watched. I was determined to get into &quot;their world&quot; in the time we had because these boys were not only someone's sons, brothers, and nephews, but future fathers and leaders. The cycle of violence started and stop with young men like these, and it was our responsibility to reach beyond the facade and bravdo to find the little boys within.


View from the balcony

So every morning they walked in, I greeted them enthusiastically by name and gave each of them a &quot;high five&quot;. Stepping out of my comfort zone I gave them brotherly hugs, and during activity times, tried to divide my time so none of them felt left out. By the end of day two, they started to warm up. They talked more, and as they worked away they were showered with positive reinforcements. The smiles became broader, the buzz in the group became more animated as they vied for attention and &quot;approval&quot;. &quot;Look, look, sir&quot; some of them said as they walked towards me, their work in hand. Some of them were very good at what they did. I'll not soon forget a poem one of them wrote to his mother as we challenged them to write notes to the parents telling them what they appreciated them for. It was great to see these boys, so &quot;tough&quot; on the outside yet so tender as they not only wrote beautiful poems but decorated them with hearts, roses, and other creative things.

We discovered that a few boys from the larger group couldn't read, and so as not to embarrass them, we pulled them aside and had one of the team members work with them on their projects one-on-one. What we had seen however, was the way they all responded to being loved and encouraged. It was obvious that they needed role models, people who believed in them and their potential to be all they dared to dream.

More importantly was getting them to not be afraid of their &quot;softer/sensitive&quot; side, as this was the side that would be extremely important as they get older and their attention inevitable turned to girls. A couple of them were ribbing their buddies about the hearts and roses on their cards, but it was a great opportunity to teach them that there was nothing wrong with that. Females, including their mothers, were special and deserved hearts, flowers, and roses. One of the boys, Junior, was quite an interesting character and I'll share a bit about him later.

By the end of VBS, I was proud of these guys and the way they opened up and responded to our attempts at reaching out to them. It is difficult to know how much of what they learned that really sunk in, but some seeds were planted and hopefully, the fruit will be in abundance.

[Sinco01]

Re: Feeling De Evening Breeze &amp; More


Bravo ...


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">By the end of VBS, I was proud of these guys and the way they opened up and responded to our attempts at reaching out to them. It is difficult to know how much of what they learned that really sunk in, but <span style="font-weight: bold">some seeds were planted and hopefully, the fruit will be in abundance</span> </div></div>





Oh ..btw .. great report ..

[evanovitch]

Re: Feeling De Evening Breeze &amp; More

i plan to find out about the program once i mek dis quik run n come bak

[schultz]

Re: Feeling De Evening Breeze &amp; More

Churchdude, you are doing good things man! My heart breaks for some of the kids.....boy, I know they must have loved these meetings. Sometimes when I go look for my kids down in the ghetto they seem to love the hugs and kisses just as much as the things I bring for them. Bless you!

[Diplomat]

Re: Feeling De Evening Breeze &amp; More

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sinco01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Bravo ...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">By the end of VBS, I was proud of these guys and the way they opened up and responded to our attempts at reaching out to them. It is difficult to know how much of what they learned that really sunk in, but <span style="font-weight: bold">some seeds were planted and hopefully, the fruit will be in abundance</span> </div></div>



Oh ..btw .. great report .. </div></div>
Thanks, Sinco01. Good to see you around

[Diplomat]

Re: Feeling De Evening Breeze &amp; More

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: schultz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Churchdude, you are doing good things man! My heart breaks for some of the kids.....boy, I know they must have loved these meetings. Sometimes when I go look for my kids down in the ghetto they seem to love the hugs and kisses just as much as the things I bring for them. Bless you! </div></div>
Thanks, schultz The materials things are good, but with the majority of kids nothing beats personal attention mixed with lots of love and hugs. And to think those are free!