I am writing this on saturday morning, it is pouring down rain and some would say it is a dreary day. I don’t think it is. i am tired from a long week, but continued to be excited by an event last week.

But before i tell you about that, let me share a story from our Academy for 3,4, and 5 year olds. My wife shared this with me. They had a game they were playing and had hidden some candy that looked like gold coins. she noticed one of the boys beginning to become very upset and tearing up. When asked, with chocolate all over his hand, he expressed his heartbreak at realizing that the coin was not real. He thought he had something of real value. His face gave way to utter disappointment.

we can give somethig of value to our students, a hug, let them know God loves them. We also help them realize the importance of education.

so now, back to the rest of the story. Last Saturday, IPS had their math olympics at Arlington High School.

#1 in Algebra, a Shepherd student who has been in our program for almost eight years.

#1 and #2 in Calculus, Shepherd students who have been with a less than a year.

we celebrate their great accomplishments!!!! So i sit here in my office watching puddles appear and am reminded, together, we can make a difference!

Peace

Jay

We dread it, the scrathcy head. when one of the many children we are able to serve begins digging at their head, we know what time it is. Time to do the head checks. a unfortunate reality of our work here in the city is …head lice. Never sure why God created them. it means washign yoru hair with horribly smelling shampoo, hours of having your hair checked, and washing everything in the house.

Except…..except if you survive on food stamps, food stamps do not permit you to puchase items such as this. so many cannot afford the expensive treatment. yet, the problem is more than just a scratchy head. other kids notice, and then the cruelty starts. for many boys, it means all your hair is cut off.

i’ve watched too many weep at the coming austricizing that will happen. they fear the cruelty of others, because they have received too much already.

my wife reminded me of a little girl who was so jealous of our little daughter, why? as she said,” Because since her daddy works here she can have plenty of food.”

no food, hair lice…another hurt for so many we serve. weaping happens far too much. we love these children, and simple annoyances for those with money, become another dagger in the heart.

we’ve got plenty to do, come join us, the children need you
Journey well
jay

no, we didn’t win a game, but there was a victory for our neighbors. Yes, last Saturday we celebrated the grand opening of our medical clinic. 17 neighbors were able to visit a doctor and receive medicine at no cost. For many, they got to get receive medical care for the first time in a long time.

kudo’s also to kroger’s who is working with us to expand our shuttle service. this shuttle helps us take people to the grocery who otherwise could not get there.  we appreciate kroger’s concern to help make it possible and now we will be able to pick up more people!

progress, yes, but much more to go.

will you help

journey well

jay

Amazing grace

It is more than a movie that is out in theaters now. I cherished singing the hymn for years growing up in church, and still do today. I haven’t seen the movie yet, but can hardly wait to see the wonderful story of one of my heroes, William Wilberforce. For years he fought against slavery in England, and fought at much cost to himself. Yet, his decades of service finally paid off; he won, and so did every black man and woman and child in England. He stood for what is right.
Is there still a need for William Wilberforce’s today? I think so…….

1. We still write off a group because of color of skin, or maybe even the language they speak.

2. We read that a child died this week because he could not get to a dentist.

3. Our local high school is only graduating 30% of it’s students
4. The soil of our city continues to be polluted by the blood of victims of violence.

5. Sudan

Just a short list…but here is the question…

How can you be a Wilberforce for justice? A Wilberforce for Christ? If we say we follow Christ and do what we do because of our Love of God, then it must drive us to speak out, at all cost!

Journey well,

jay