Youth Haven’s ministry changes lives. It’s a truth I’ve known for a long time, but it still amazes me when I have an opportunity to see firsthand what God is doing in the lives of the precious boys and girls who are a part of our programs.
We often consider ourselves a seed-sowing ministry. Our staff have the privilege of introducing disadvantaged boys and girls to the truth of God’s love. Many of them open their hearts and accept Christ as Savior at Youth Haven. But when a child takes what he has learned at the Ranch and applies it to his life, that is especially rewarding.
At one of the Christmas parties this year, our Children's Program Director introduced Lars and me to the kids. As we walked to the front of the room, one boy said, "He has a wife!" I held back a chuckle. When I talked to the children, I told them that we loved them. I heard one boy say, “She said she loves us!” (The boys were rather vocal that day.) I’m guessing that boy - and probably several others in the room - wasn’t used to hearing that from the adults in his life.
Later, as the children were looking through the toys and gifts they had been given, one boy approached me with a stuffed dog he had received.
“Merry Christmas,” he said, handing the stuffed animal to me. I was touched, but I didn’t want to take away a toy he had been given.
“That’s very nice of you,” I said, “but you should really keep your things.”
“I want you to have it,” he insisted. “God has been telling me to share.”
I thanked him through my tears, hugging him and wishing him a Merry Christmas. I couldn’t argue with a child who was doing what he thought God wanted him to do!
Youth Haven is so much more than nutritious meals, warm beds, and toys at Christmas time. Those things are important, practical ways that we can show the love of Christ to kids in need.
But the ministry here reaches deeper than just the physical needs. It provides caring adults who love troubled kids unconditionally. It teaches them that God loves them and has a plan for their lives. It encourages them to be kind and compassionate to one another.
Youth Haven’s ministry changes lives. And I thank God for allowing us to be a part of it.
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