Stepping for God

If you were asked to do something for God that might outwardly embarrass you, would you do it?

The Dance Team is learning how to be bolder. Mrs. Angela (Dance Team Leader) wants them to get used to dancing in front of people, so on Sunday the dance team hit the sidewalks. They all marched outside, where they planned on practicing their step routine while walking down the sidewalk on 14th street. Can you imagine doing this while all those cars were driving by?! Well they did it, and from what I could see there was no complaining coming from the students. Later, I had the chance to talk to Radious (student on Dance Team) about dancing down the sidewalk. She said that Mrs. Angela had asked them before they went out if they would do anything for God, and most of the students said yes. Radious shared that Mrs. Angela emphasized the fact that the reason they are dancing and have the Dance Team in the first place is so they can use their talents for God!

Gift of Mercy

Currently the ILA Students are continuing their talk on spiritual gifts. I have really enjoyed sitting in on classroom study time. I have sensed that the students enjoy studying this topic and from what I can see the participation level is pretty high, at least that is what I noticed in the 6-8th grade boys classroom on Sunday evening.

Like I have said many times, Mr. Todd (6-8th grade boys Teacher) does a wonderful job teaching. He is always very organized, with things written on the chalk board and questions ready to be asked. This particular evening the boys were talking about the gift of mercy. On the board was written, “Gift of Mercy- bringing relief to the immediate needs of someone in need or hurting.” This was read aloud by Mr. Todd and after reading this he shared a story about his oldest daughter Teagan who is in the 4th grade. He shared that Teagan has a special love for the elderly. One time, the family went to visit a relative in the retirement home. Teagan walked into people’s rooms (who she didn’t know) and began talking to them bringing joy and relief to those who were older and not as mobile. After sharing this story, Mr. Todd asked the boys to help formulate a list of possible groups of people who are in need or hurting. The boys decided on this list (elderly, homeless, poor, abused, orphans, sick, those addicted to drugs, alcohol, the mentally ill and those who are widowed). Next, it was time to see what the Bible said about mercy. They dove right into the passage in Luke chapter 10, the story about the good Samaritan; 30In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' After reading the passage, questions were asked such as, “What did the Samaritan do to show mercy?”
Here are some answers from the boys.
Cameron -“Bandage his wounds.”
Adam- “Paid for him to be in an inn.”
Zach- “Put the man on his donkey.”
Isaiah- “Paid for his long term care.”

After further discussing the details of the story, Mr. Todd ended by telling the boys that a point he would like to make is that the people who you would have thought would have helped the man in the story just passed by. It is not enough to come to ILA and say, “I am a Christian, I go to ILA.” It is important to act like it in your own life, outside of ILA.

Asset Journal Entry

External
Support
#2
Positive family values

I gave positive value to my cousin Amarion yesterday because he thought he couldn’t do a cartwheel and I told him that he could and he did it!

Jocelyn, 6-8th grade Girls

Asset Goal

Internal
Commitment to Learning
#22
School Engagement

Monday and until school is over I will try to pay more attention to school and the rules.I will do this because I want to do better in school and not go to recovery or time out.

Hope, 6-8th grade girls

Asset Journal Entry

Lately I have been wanting to go many places with friends and when I leave I noticed that my room and dishes I used are dirty, but I thought without my mom telling me to clean something maybe I should and then ask to leave.



Ashlee, 6-8th grade girls

Summer is approaching...

As many of you may have noticed, there have not been any stories posted on the blog for quite a few weeks. That was due to the fact that the writer, me, was away on maternity leave. Well I can say it is good to be back and I’m slowly getting into the swing of things.

Now that summer is creeping up on us, the mood begins to change a bit in the classrooms. Most students, after attending the Impact Leadership Academy regularly throughout the school year, become familiar and comfortable with their teachers, classmates and their overall surroundings. It is easy to become so comfortable that they can sometimes lose sight of what is being taught during lesson time. I am sure the leaders often wonder whether or not their students are indeed listening.

I was enjoying time back in the High School girls’ room where they were discussing thoughts brought on by the lesson entitled, “The Open Heart: The gift of mercy and the gift of hospitality”. I would like to briefly focus on the gift of mercy and how, from my perspective, I was able to watch this unfold.

Mrs. Anna (Youth Development director) and Mrs. Mollie (High School Girls classroom teacher) were talking about the verse Matthew 25:40. The girls in class on Sunday were Jessica, Mercedez, and Patty. Each girl was participating in their own way, but from what I could see they were a little distracted by other things, which seemed to be a bit more interesting. For instance, they were doodling on their study guides while the leaders were talking. Matthew 25:40 says,“The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Mrs. Mollie went on to share with the girls that she has a rough relationship with her sister, but she still knows it is important to love on her no matter what because that is what God wants. When he sees us doing that it makes him so happy he probably jumps for joy! I was surprised by what happened next. Mercedez, as she was doodling, asked, “So what if you gave me a pen, but I saw a homeless man and bought him a house, would God jump more? Wow, what an awesome question! This led Mrs. Mollie and Mrs. Anna into a deeper discussion of what God wants of us and how He looks at our hearts in a situation like that. Mrs. Anna shared that God is talking about seeing Him in those who we may not always be inclined to help, we need to see His face and serve for Him.

My point in sharing this with you all today is to tell you that Mrs. Anna and Mrs. Mollie displayed patience and mercy in the classroom. They showed the girls, who were having trouble staying tuned in, what God wants of us by not becoming outwardly frustrated. By doing this they were able to attain wonderful conversations and get feedback from the girls.

I am so privileged to watch from the outside, and I learned that even when you think a teenager is not listening they really might be. Be patient and see what God has in store.

Volunteer Care

Mr. Ty pictured in black shirt in front.


Goal: Volunteer Care
-Volunteers will be well trained and committed to the City Impact Mission.
-Volunteers will feel like a valued member of the CI Ministry Team.


I had gone around to pick up devotions for the evening and noticed that Mr. Ty ( High School boys leader) was absent from the High School boys room, which I found to be a bit odd as he usually never misses program on Sunday evenings.

After making myself comfortable in the 6-8th grade girls’ room I leaned over to ask Mrs. Bert (6-8th grade girls’ small group leader) if her husband Mr. Ty (High School boys classroom small group leader) was gone tonight. She said that he would be here shortly, but he would be late because last minute he went to get Patty (High School girls’ student).

Now you see maybe to someone else this would not seem like any big deal, but for me, my mind started to spin. I just could not stop thinking about Mr. Ty and his efforts to get Patty to ILA. Ty went outside of himself to ensure Patty made it to program on Sunday. It was more important for him to go get Patty than to worry about being late that night. My heart was just touched by Mr. Ty’s outward expression of commitment to get the students to the Impact Leadership Academy. It showed me that he values the program and feels that it is of top importance and priority to see to it that the students make it every Sunday.