This month our church is doing some really unique things with the children's program. For Sheridan's class they are doing a 5 week rotating class that focuses on different things each week, all of which center around Christmas or an aspect of Christ in Christmas. This past Sunday was the "missions" week for Sheridan's class. I thought that maybe they would talk about other countries, or missionaries, something related to what I perceived to be "missions". Imagine my surprise when she comes out talking about the homeless. My first thought was "what does homelessness have to do with missions?" Well, my 6 year old daughter proceeded to explain to me that missions has everything to do with the homeless! Her class had focused on homelessness to help the kids understand that missions starts at HOME! There are people all around us that we can minister to, we don't have to go to the other side of the world!
Sheridan also left that day with a little box to give to someone homeless. Inside the box was a bottle of water, a granola bar, and a meal ticket for a hot meal at a local rescue mission. Sheridan was so excited to give out the box, she immediately wanted us to go look for someone homeless. As we left church, on our way to shop at Target, we stopped at a light and there on our side of the street was a homeless man. I wish you could have seen the look on Sheridan's face when we gave the man her box! She was so happy!!!! The rest of the day she kept asking me "did the man eat my granola bar mom?" and "did the man drink the water yet mom?" I can't believe how much a simple exercise like that taught my daughter about missions! What a lasting memory this will give her about ministering to the needs of others.
Can I challenge you in the area of the homeless? What can you do? How can you reach this unreached group? When our family went to Target that day, we followed the idea from church and purchased little "homeless kits" to give out. We bought inexpensive bags, snacks that included bottled water, fruit snacks, granola bars, an inexpensive toothbrush with a mini toothpaste and peanuts. We also included the most important part.........a tract about the One who cares the most about the homeless, Jesus! We placed these bags in our car so that we are ready next time we see someone who is homeless.
What a simple way to reach out to others in need and at the same time teach our children a valuable lesson on loving others, reaching out to tend to the needs of others and............missions!!!
