The Journey

My heart has been so touched by this little man. In ways that I don't even know if I can write.
Walter has been my boy since the beginning. He was new to our program this year and the first night he attached his sweet little self to me and he's been my bud ever since. I think he secretly knew my name this whole time, but he hasn't called me Ashlee until tonight (our final night going over until the fall). I've wrote about Walter before, which just goes to show how much this little boy has my heart.
I really know nothing about him. I don't know Walter's home life. I don't know where he lives, where he goes to school, and if he is treated right at home. I don't know if Walter comes from a broken family like me, or if his mom and dad are around. His infectious smile would suggest that Walter lives a very happy life, but really, I don't know anything about this kid.
Which makes it so confusing as to why I love him so much. But I do.
Tonight Walter sat down next to me to eat his hot dog (which was a mess, by the way. The child has no concept of a napkin) and when he was finished he looked at me and said, "Can I sit on your lap?" So as he was sitting on my lap in 90 degree weather, I began to reflect on how this is one of the last times that I'm going to see these kids. Although the optimist in me says that I'll be able to come back often from college, the realist in me says that's probably not going to be too practical. I have maybe one or two more times to make an impact on these kids, and encourage the younger leaders in continuing this project. I was thinking about Walter growing up, and the paths that he might take one day. Let's face it- Walter doesn't live in the greatest area possible. The thought of Walter growing up and making the wrong choices makes me feel nauseous. The thought of any one of these beautiful kids getting mixed up is a thought I don't gladly entertain. But sometimes, life is what it is. However, thinking about this has sparked something in me that I am ashamed is just now happening. Prayer. Actively and wholeheartedly praying for these children daily. Praying for their today, their tomorrow and their eternity. Praying for seeds to be planted, watered, grown and harvested. So I'm planning every day for the rest of until God tells me other wise, picking one child a week and praying for them vigilantly. For those of you reading, I'm asking you to do the same. I know a lot of you (hopefully a lot of people read this) probably don't know these children, but I know that you can agree that they are extremely special to God. I truly believe that God will lead those who are willing into an attitude of prayer. I've heard so many stories of people praying off-the-wall things for people because that's what they felt and it turns out that God was using those prayers. I'm hoping that will happen here. I'm going to attach a file with every child's name and a picture of them in an upcoming post.
What I'm going to do is print out the picture, memorize their name, and put up the picture somewhere I look frequently, like a mirror, or a cell phone background, locker computer screen, ect.
Write their name on your hand. See it, and say a three second prayer.
If someone asks you why you have a little black kid on your phone/mirror ect, tell them! Get them involved too. How awesome would it be if these children got a hedge of protection placed around them because you took five minutes out of your morning to talk to Jesus about these kids!