Devotion

Since February began, I’ve taken the task upon myself to lead devotionals weekly in two of the houses, the younger girls’ house and the younger boys’ house. All throughout January, I was planning. Watching videos again and again until I could quote most of them. Taking advantage of every opportunity I was given to go to the grocery store, dollar city, or a market. I’ve been looking through books of coloring sheets and making memory verse slips to cut and paste into their devotional books. The month of January was a lot of work.

Since February came, I realized the difference the month of planning made. I am usually given a half hour to fill just before they head to bed. That gives me enough time to play a 10 minute video, give questions on what the main point of the video was or what our verse is for the week, and a few minutes to make their memory verse a piece of art stuck inside their new journals I purchased to be used for devotions. And, I usually have an activity planned or a coloring page to go along with the lesson, if time allows!

I think I’ve gotten more out of it than they have. The joy they show when they can answer one of my questions brings joy to me as well. When some of them look over at me while the verse is said during the video brings a smile to my face, knowing they’re trying their very hardest to be able to answer my “What’s the verse for the week?” question. The preciseness each hand takes to fill in each letter of the verse amazes me each and every night I get to share with them.

Devotion: love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity, or cause.

These devotions I provide each week aren’t made for fun, although we usually do end up having lots of fun. They are made to increase their knowledge about the Bible, Jesus Christ, and their roles as Christian, teaching new lessons each week with an enjoyable cartoon television series (most may know the names Bob and Larry if you’ve ever had any experience in or with kid’s ministry!)

I am devoted not only to providing these evenings with the kids, but devoted to the kids. Devoted to watch them play, learn, and grow. Devoted to loving them, caring for them, and treating them like they are my own. Devoted to providing them with the things I’ve been given, material and knowledge, to help them prosper and achieve a true relationship with the King of Kings.

Love. I hope and pray that they know that this isn’t work or a task just to check off my checklist, but a way I show and spread my love to them. Loyalty. I am committed to providing this to the two houses as often as I can, allowing them to know there is someone/something always (physically) present in their lives, despite what their past may have held. Enthusiasm. We all have enthusiasm when we are gathered to learn about the Lord together. It may be me asking them a few questions, or the kids shooting their hands up as fast as they can after the video is over so they can be the first to tell me what they learned.

Person: Each one of the kids I get the opportunity to minister to, whether they started out on the first night I led devotions, or joined us a few weeks after. Activity: devotions, including a video, Q&A, coloring, and whatever other activity there may be time in the night for. Cause: Changing the hearts and lives of a few of the kids in Guatemala for the kingdom.