Last week at our Saturday fellowship, we were able to start a new class with the older high school students that started out as just a visit. There were around a dozen or so students and our time together was incredible, so we later decided that we would invite them for the next 8 weeks to come and do a Bible study with me and then volunteer and help out with the feeding. This week, there were almost 20 and it was such a blessing to see them again. The most exciting thing was that most of the new ones were boys, which was a huge surprise.
So, with the next few Saturdays, I would love to introduce you to a few of the individual students, but I think I may have to be a little sensitive with posting them all on Facebook since I am now friends with all of them…
Before I launch into Leo’s story, I just have to say how thankful I am for the opportunities God is opening up for me. I never thought I would get back into working with high students, but so many doors have been opened up for me to work with kids 16 and 17 years old (which is the age my Christian walk became real) from the prison, within the gangs, and even from the classroom. Youth from all walks are coming into my life and it’s so exciting to see God working out here and forming a pretty solid youth ministry.
So Leo… Since I knew I would be with the students for the next 8 weeks, I wanted to be a little more intentional about learning their names and stories rather than just teaching the whole time. I had them go around and introduce themselves however they wanted and tell me why they were here as I took notes. Leo, who was one of the only boys there last week, was the first to go, and he proudly announced he was there for me. He got a good laugh out of the group, which is what I think he was going for, but he grabbed my attention. I did pay attention to the rest of the group and we had a great Bible study, but soon after, I was ready to dive a little deeper with one in particular.
We went back up to the big tent for the feeding and song portion and I told the students to just be free and jump right in with the kids. Most of the girls were all for the songs, so this got most of the boys following (some things are universal…). Leo however, stayed in his seat and just watched. It was the perfect opportunity for me to slide in and learn a little more. As I talked with him, I could see the amount of potential this boy has. He is very respectful and while dancing and singing isn’t really his thing, he was more than willing to be around the kids. I just asked some more random questions to try to get to know him a little more and we just ended up having a fun conversation.
A few minutes into our talk, he just asked when he could come back next. I told him they were invited every Saturday, but that didn’t seem to be enough for him. He just said, “What about tomorrow?” I just kind of laughed as I told him about my typical Sunday, but he said he just wanted to be back at the camp. I told him a little about the church that meets out there, led by Pastor Larry that I wrote about a few days ago, and he was exited to return and asked if he could bring his dad. He wanted his family to come out to the camp and just see it. I know God has given me a ministry with these students, but in this conversation, I realized it wasn’t about me at all.
Sure these students like me, but the thing they’re attracted most to has nothing to do with me or my personality. It was such a freeing thought because it took all the pressure off of me and allowed me to just be with the students the rest of the day. We tried to get them one of the first rides out but they begged us to let them stay longer and let all the kids go first. It takes nearly an hour for us to drive all the kids home, and the students just circled up and sang children’s songs and played games until it was their turn. It was just a joyful time.
I know these students all have their own issues and struggles and many of the boys are fighting the pressures of gangs, but on Saturdays we can just fellowship. They have no pressure to make a bad decision, but they can just enjoy. I’m thankful God can give them that time and just allow me to be along for the ride. These students are such a blessing and I can’t wait to get to know them more…
