FACES

"Here they come"!! It's Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. There is thirty to forty plus church and neighborhood kids, ranging in ages,who many times are waiting at the door at 4:00 are now coming in to the church bldg.  It's time for what the church I attend calls "Youth City."

One crowd gathers around the craft table to make slime or to paint designs on a t-shirt. Another group begins to argue over the fooseball table, the pastors wife breaks it up and wisely suggests a tournament so they all can play.  Four more are at the ping pong table.

                                                    MENTAL, PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL

The main draw is the gym where most kids pick teams and play basketball!  With a few adults keeping order of it all and succeeding on the most part, sort of.

Someone, sits at another table where they crowd around wanting to quote  1-10 Bible verses which in return they receive "Bucks" that they can take to the little store to buy candy or toys even a football. "It's time to eat"!! Each week something different; Hot dogs, Pizza burgers, spaghetti, Mac and cheese. Before we eat the pastor makes announcements, shares a devotion or verse and we pray that ends with a thunderous amen.

                                                 If not us,who.  If not now when!
                                                                     
There are always those that fight or horseplay, some even try to cheat on the memory verses.  On occasion it will stretch your patience.  But all you have to do is look into their faces that tell stories of loneliness, sadness, hate, as well as smiles and of course those that are oblivious to the dangers around them.  They begin to cause trouble but melt when shown love by the pastor and leaders. The hard guys and girls soften when they see we mean them no harm and love them.

The pastor and his wife have invested time, resources, in the lives of the kids as he leads us to provide physical, mental and spiritual healing, These kids now come to worship on Saturday nights and ask to be involved. A few have become followers of Christ and baptized.  That's what it's all about.

Some ask, "why?   For the change in their minds and hearts, even the smile on their faces.