A couple of weeks ago, I wrote that our family was walking through a really difficult season. And while we did not receive support from the places that we most expected it, God knocked our socks off and gave us more support than we could have ever imagined from these teens in our youth group and their families. God is making His word and purposes more clear to me everyday...thank you for your faithful prayers. And as we embark upon Holy Week...I am even more amazed at our loving Savior and his sacrifice for us. (I will write more about this later).
For the last 5 1/2-6 years, we have poured out our lives in ministry to teens and families in the Pen Lucy neighborhood. Eli once said (yes, I am quoting my husband...when I heard him say this, I immediately wrote it down) that "we must strategically target our youth. The world strategically targets our youth and provides for them every distraction away from knowing and serving God. Therefore, it is all the more urgent for the church to strategically target youth so that they can fall in love with Jesus, their neighbors, and His church."
Well, these young people ministered to us in a way that we will both remember forever. They saw that we were hurting and wanted to display their love for us in a tangible way. Here is a picture of the high schoolers. (The middle schoolers and one of their teachers came after the high schoolers--so I don't have any pics of them!)
I have been praying for Darnell for I don't know how many years. He is such a brilliant guy. It is our hope that one day we will worship at his church. (He really is happy...we caught him off guard with this pic!) Darnell's younger brother is Big Mook (from a few posts ago). 
Mona (in the center) was the primary planner of the party. Chanel and Priscilla are Seniors this year. 
All we really did was eat, laugh, and talk. It was like a family reunion (without the Tshirts!) Even Emmanuel got into the conversation with his growls! 
Grace (she has two middle names) Joanna Nicole and Adrienne. 
Brittany Allen even asked different youth to wear their Youth Tshirts or Dance Tshirts to church the Sunday before as a way to show appreciation to Eli and I for our work with the Youth Ministry. This, of course, made us cry, too. It reminded us from the last scene in Dead Poets Society...when the students get on their desks and say to Robin Williams, "O, Captain, My Captain." Thanks, Brit Brack.
Grace and David.
Again, Eli was completely blown away by the outpouring of love that these youth showed to us. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. We love you, all...and we so desperately want you to know that Jesus passionately pursues you. Thank you being a picture of God's love to us.
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