I am continually in awe of the ways in which God is working through our Kids Hope ministry. We began our mentoring partnership with El Dorado Elementary in January 2010 with ten adults and ten students. One year later, this is now the largest ongoing ministry at City Church with 20 mentoring relationships in 12 different classrooms! That means City Church is showing the love of Christ to the El Dorado community at least 20 hours every week! It's no wonder that the lives of children are being affected.
I've sat in many meetings for Kids Hope, but none has been as powerful as my meeting with the teachers of El Dorado this last December to update them on our program and to thank them for all of their work. By the end of our time together, compliments abounded, tears of gratefulness had been shed, and numerous stories of our positive impact were shared. It was incredible! Kids Hope is also affecting the lives of teachers, staff, and families.
As mentors exercise the powers of a "super mentor" each week, it can often be challenging to see change. Prayer Partners can even feel bored when focused on the same topic week after week! Be encouraged as you read the mentor accounts and look at the faces of joy shared in this newsletter. God is working through our Kids Hope ministry, and He is using YOU to make that happen!
Laura Spiering
El Dorado Elementary School KHUSA Coordinator
What the Mentors are saying...
Da'nya was pretty quiet at first and I wasn't sure how she felt about our times together. After a few weeks, she now often greets me with a hug, chats about things she's learning, and just the other day, she wrote "I love my mentor" on the dry-erase board. These little things show that we're moving in the right direction.
- Ellen Yang, KHUSA mentor
In our six weeks or so together, Rickey has really opened up and relaxed around me. He has gone from shy and quiet, to happy and playful. His personality continues to come out more and more and the smiles come much easier.
- Aaron Zimmerman, KHUSA mentor
Terrill continues to be a real blessing in my life... After he had once again outscored me with flash card answers, he said "I beat you everytime, Mr Paul. You need to practice. Do you practice with your wife? You should!" I guess my 21 years of math-rich education can't keep up with one witty El Dorado-housed, Kids Hope-mentored 1st Grader!!!
- Paul Robershotte, KHUSA mentor
If you are interested in being involved in works like Kid's Hope or other partnerships that we have throughout the city contact:
Adam Snell | City Hope Associate