They Are Coming!

There are thirteen of them. They will be loud. They don't know our rules. They don't listen well. They are easily bored and easily distracted. They don't know how to play our games. They have short attention spans and small bladders. They outnumber us. They are waiting. And they are coming!

You're right if you think that they sound pretty intimidating; maybe we'll even admit a little scary. What am I talking about? If you know kids, you may have already figured it out. I'm talking about our newest class of 1st graders here at MYC Club. Each July, we give a chance for kids who may want to be in MYC Club during the school year to have a head start by joining Summer in the Son, which is our summer club program. In May, we give applications to kindergarten students who have been identified by the teachers as having a need for MYC and who could benefit from Club next year. The teachers may have noticed early behavior issues or inadequate families or simply kids who could use some attention, some structure, or some relationships with loving adults.

This year we have thirteen of these little ones. This is the biggest number of kindergarten graduates to begin Summer in the Son in the five years I have been involved with summer Club. Six of them are enthusiastic younger siblings of current MYC kids. This tells us that their older brothers and sisters have enjoyed Club and that their parents are trusting us with the little ones as soon as we can get them. Some of these kids have been asking and waiting to come to MYC since they have been watching brothers and sisters and cousins come to Club. Seven of them represent new families for MYC and a new opportunity to build relationships with families who recognize MYC as a way to meet the needs of their kids. We thank God for the chance to serve Him by serving these kids and their families.

Yes, it is a little intimidating. We will need a lot of energy, patience, and love. Please keep us in your prayers. All of our kids are challenging, and a large number of new kids at the same time can be overwhelming, but also remind us to look to God for the strength, love, and wisdom we will need. These kids are everything described in the opening paragraph, but even more so they are God's creation who God loves and for whom God has a purpose. God isn't scared. Bring them on!