My two brothers and I grew up with an abundance of outdoor activities. We had go-carts, a swimming pool, basketball goal, soccer balls, footballs, baseball stuff. We had a huge yard. For a while, we even had a horse!
And even when we had to go inside, there was always plenty to do.
We had everything boys could want.
In a couple weeks some friends from church and I are going to visit eight boys at their home for a Christmas open house on.
Ethan, Joziah, Corey, and the other boys range from 12 to16 years old. They probably have a lot in common with my brothers and me. But
their childhood is a lot different.
Their home is the Methodist Home for Children's Robeson County Multipurpose Juvenile Home in Lumberton, North Carolina.
These boys are at this home because the Department of Social Services (DSS) and the court system made them go. In many ways, it's their last chance.
I was talking with Lisa Lesane, the Robeson home's Program Manager, about what these boys might want for Christmas.
It turns out that with the exception of a basketball goal, a ball, and a concrete slab, these boys have nothing to do for outdoor fun, none of what I grew up with.
It honestly broke my heart. It's hard to write this without feeling like crying.
This week our worship focus is "deeper witness," witnessing with our words and our actions. All week I've been thinking about these boys.
I've been thinking about how much God loves them.
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these" (Matthew
19:14 NIV).
I've been thinking about what we can do.
This passage from James has weighed on me.
"Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight... (1:26-27)
I know we have to do something.
I think the first thing to do is to get these boys some stuff to do and play with outdoors, sporting equipment, games, and activities.
Jerseys (so they can play teams), a football, basketball, baseball equipment, punching bag and gloves: these are the kinds of things they said they would like.
Starting this Sunday as part of the New Sanctuary worship service, I would like to begin collecting new or gently used equipment to give to the boys at the Robeson County Multipurpose Juvenile Home.
We will have a box set up on the stage for these items to be placed in. You can always bring it to my office during the week.
Please give.
We will take all that we collect to their Christmas open house.
This will be a very practical and powerful way of witnessing to the love of Jesus Christ and blessing these boys.
God bless you!
Pastor David Gira
