Rain Delays and Spring Break Lessons

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 Last week was one of those weeks where I was reminded, yet again, of how blessed I am to be in this role.  On Wednesday I attended a huddle at one of the local middle schools where I had the opportunity afterwards to invite several promising young leaders to our upcoming Leadership Camp in June as well as have some really great conversations with several students.  One such student, a seventh grade girl, was opening up to the teacher sponsor and me about her home life.  For several years she has lived in this area with her grandparents because her father has been in prison since before she was born and her mother decided she couldn’t handle raising her on her own.  I can’t imagine the heartache that this little girl has gone through at such a young age, but I am so thankful that the Lord has caused the FCA huddle at her school to thrive so that every Wednesday afternoon, she has the opportunity to come and hear about a Father who loves her more than she can imagine and who will never leave her side.
On Thursday night, Potomac Falls Girls’ Lacrosse had another home game.  What could have been a crummy situation – having to go inside for 45 minutes because of a lightning delay, ended up being a lot of fun.  As we headed into the gym with 10 minutes left in the first half, Potomac Falls were up 12-0.  It was pretty clear who would end up winning this game.  When we got inside, I was able to do an impromptu character lesson with them about REPUTATION, and it was really 
During the lightning delay the girls played team building games
encouraging to hear the girls’ take on it.  I asked how they wanted to be known by other coaches and teams and the first word that was said was CLASSY.  I was blown away.  They didn’t want to just be known as good competitors, touch opponents, or athletically talented girls, though they are all of those things.  But they hoped that, win or lose, other teams would be able to say that the girls of Potomac Falls are a class act.  What’s more, after the game as I stood on the side of the field, I overheard some conversations from the opposing team, who had just lost 18-5, as they walked back to their bus.  One girl in particular said, “Yea, seriously.  They were so nice!”  Clearly, the Panthers are already living up to their goal of being a classy bunch!
Down by the banks...
Friday was yet another awesome day in the ministry as I attended a huddle Friday morning at River Bend Middle School.  That morning, after some Dunkin Donuts munchkins and a rousing game of tag in the gym, we had the opportunity to hear from Luke, Will, and Kyle Ables who had spent their spring break on a mission trip to Nicaragua with their parents.  The boys shared about some of the hard things they saw while in Nicaragua, about visiting children their family sponsors at the orphanage their church partners with, and the way God opened their eyes to the blessings they enjoy at home.  It's one thing for us as adults to tell students about serving and missions.  But I think the fact that they were able to hear from their peers has a much greater impact!  These boys are such an awesome example that serving God and living like Jesus doesn't start once people become adults, but that they can be doing Kingdom work right now!
6th grader Luke shares about his mission trip to Nicaragua


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