You really have to come to our house and see it for yourself -- otherwise, you just won't believe it. Almost every kid in our neighborhood gathers in our yard (and often in our house) from noon until dark every day. Kids of all ages and from every nationality, battling it out in Nerf gun wars, water fights, baseball games, and anything else they can think of that will make a lot of noise. Our adult neighbors (the kind with no children) turn on their sprinklers to keep them off their lawns and then retreat to their homes and shut the doors tight. Our next door neighbor, Lisa, said she is absolutely amazed at the number of children our boys attract to our house every day, and says it's no different than a playground at recess! She's got a little a boy who is only a year old, and he's usually right in the middle of it.
April said she can't make any sense of it -- it's not like we're passing out Kool-Aid or cookies or anything (...okay, sometimes). We occasionally have to tell the kids to keep the noise level down, but we have yet to chase them away or tell them to go home. We love children (we wouldn't have four boys of our own if we didn't) and actually love the sound of laughter and children playing. Jesus said "hinder not the children to come unto me," and as for me and my house --- will not be a hindrance. We want our house to be a "household of peace" and a refuge for kids who want to see how a functional, Jesus-loving family behaves and interacts with each other and those around them. And yes, we've had several opportunities to share the Gospel with most of these children. They come into our house and see the Scripture everywhere and inevitably ask questions. Some of them are bewildered by a dad who wrestles with his boys and joins in the kids' activities. They are attracted to a mom who is always smiling and loving on everyone. I think some of them are amazed at a mom and dad who love each other and show each other affection and respect. Last week one the boys, who has never been to church a day in his life, came to church with us. He loved it and plans on coming every Sunday -- and he's telling other children they should come too! (We're going to need to buy a bus soon!)
Our children have always been a bridge for us in ministry, and that's no truer than it is today. We have met many of the parents and have had several opportunities to plant seeds. Word has spread rapidly via the neighborhood children about us being missionaries. A Pakistani man (a strict Muslim) approached me a few weeks ago and asked if I was the pastor everyone was talking about? I couldn't believe it. We talked about the Bible for nearly half an hour before he had to leave. A Christian lady from Kerala, India, approached April just yesterday and said she had heard we were Christian missionaries -- they quickly became friends and today she brought us a pot of curry! Doors are opening and friendships are developing, and there is no way we could've orchestrated this -- it is God's doing!
Please pray about bringing a mission team at some point to join us in reaching our community. We believe "Backyard Bible Clubs" or "VBS" would go over really well during the warmer months. Please join us in praying for our neighbors! Pray that we will continue to shine in this community and that there will be a growing curiosity about who we are and what we believe. Pray for many, many more opportunities to share the Gospel. Pray that we will be able to start a church right here in our community (either in our home or the home of someone who comes to Jesus -- or both). Pray that our home will be a "lighthouse" in our community for His glory!
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