back2school - the kids

John 12:32 (nlt) --- And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.

I left my house headed toward the church later than normal this morning.  The children were on my mind.  Their faces continue to run across my memory.  (see their names below)  Couldn't get away from their lives.  Precious in the sight of God.  Close to His heart is each one of them.  Not just a name on a page or a pair of shoes set aside for them.  These are the ones that Jesus was lifted up for.  He died for them. He died for you and me.

There is a song that Derrick Henslee sings that I love (I listen to him on my iPod often; he is the worship leader from Lifechurch.tv in Tulsa).  Let me give you just a few of the lyrics from the song:

I once was fatherless, A stranger with no hope; Your kindness wakened me, Awakened me, from my sleep ...
Your love it beckons deeply, A call to come and die. By grace now I will come And take this life, take your life.
Sin has lost it's power, Death has lost it's sting. From the grave you've risen VICTORIOUSLY!
Into marvelous light I'm running, Out of darkness, out of shame. By the cross you are the truth, You are the life, you are the way

(song is Marvelous Light by Charlie Hall ... watch it HERE)

Here you have my prayer.  "Father, give these kids hope.  Awaken then.  Call them to your love and to victory.  Get rid of their darkness and give them your light.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

I ask you to join me in praying for the 500 kids we get to serve tomorrow.  Their names are listed below.  Read through the list and call those names out to Jesus.  Please let me know you are joining me in this prayer.  Thank you.

Early this week I received a letter from Harry, a prayer partner and friend from back home.  He shared a story I want to close with today.  This man is a God-send to me and is the real deal.  Here is just one way you and I make a difference in a kid's life:

Michael, 

When I was about 12 or 13 years old my parents were separated, and we were poor.  Momma saved up, and one day gave me a $10 bill and told me to go to town and buy me a new pair of shoes.  I hitched a ride into town and went to the shoe store at 3rd & Main (Tulsa, OK).  I tried on a pair of shoes that cost $10.  The good man there gave me 6 pairs of white socks and $2 change.  I'll never forget that day.  I was a rich man that day.  

God bless, Harry T.

(a check to help buy socks came with this letter.  Thank you for sharing, Harry, and so many others.)

Our prayer is that tomorrow we will see lots of kids and share with them that they are rich because God loves them and there are people who deeply care about them.  Join me in praying for the kids.

[+] Please Pray for the CHILDREN we will serve (these are most of their names)

Michael Jonathan Journie Alyssa Kristian Tristian Tyler Tristian Bradley Destiny Tara Jessica Amber Christian Eward Kenya Rolita Martiniano Angel Isabella Amber Henry Savannah Brittany Brittany Jeremy Andy Ridrigo Noe Edwardo Liliana Lizbeth Salvador Gustavo Tina Alisia Nicholas  Markyta Camron Elizabeth Flordeliz Luis Antonio Diana Austen Elijah Kearria KyShaun Viviana Juan Ariana Alonzo Vanessa Jacob Keith Lilly Olivia Jacob Jenna Dacha Anesia Cara Mae Annabel Julia Jordan Shilynne Jahil Caitlin Ladrasia Tajra Antonia Juan Brenda Brian Summer Jahien Brianna Tahnijah Casey Oliver Allen Alfredo Govanni Jocelyn Roy Marissa Brett Tyler Alex Dakota Alex Anthony Christopher Jacob Ashlynee Christina Victoria Timothy William Luis Lisette Karla Eric Juanita Michael Selena Jonathan Marquise Seirra Milton Brandon Amber Brandon Michael Naijuan Manjuan Shanayla Antiya Anlerrion Tre Monie Alyssa A'mia Shekina Tinita Beyonce Athena Tyrone Tinayah Ivory Ashia Kiara Willie Cameron Savannah Noah Allison Cassidy Christina Aus olas Stacy Caitlin Diamond Christopher Isabel Anthony Hannah Selena Zachary Jeremiah Joshua Amber Daniel Anastasia Jonathan Jerry Nellie Roger Tabitha William Mikey Destiny Kywanda Kentrael Kierra Kenneth Seven Jakease Evelyn Estella Preston Keyona Adrianna Jessica Herbert Destiny T'shaun Summer Michelle Michael Tyerrell SpencerCaroline BoaRaine Dakoda Anthony Ivy Shanyia Kalah Jaheim Myia Damien Alexius Shadarria Dyniah Jeremiah Hunter Jaylend Austin Domonique Ty Tavia Maria Kapri Tyquan Shamar Shamyia Jarius Addison Chase Cole Kisham R'shan Bryson Hector Jessica Tania Catrica Jasmine andon Dinstiny Stephen Maria Sandra Haley Logan Jayla Courtney Tylea Mario Miguel Alecia Anna Cody Richard Brittany Shelby Shay Jonika Shanique Kelada Shanicia Emmanuel Amante' Jake Kaleb Silver Angel Shane Nyzah Dredario Jasmine Latasha Tiarra Shontaya Shiquan Shemetrius Tiona Dequan DeRico Nathan Stephanie Nicholas Jaheim Tyheim Taylor Traketa Bobbijo Matthew Jasmyn Mercedes Christopher Jala Trinity Jaylin Isaiah Monika Jashara Jalonzo Jykawn Kimberly Samantha Juliann Malayah Lamauri Dannellia Makyah Amy Roy Mondarius Shadajiah Nytwazia Stacey Todd Alexander Ashton Michael Mykala Jasmine Brittany Janie Samantha Nadia Katie Nigel Stephen Keon Tyjohnnah Tyneisha Shiloh Ezekiel Devin Zoe Nathaniel William Dustin Morgan Autumn Gavin Breona Mikyah Elijah Nikosi Tymir Camia Chyann Ca'Daydra Keybe Terry Tekota Anthony Chanelle Zion Terry Joni Jonathon Autumn Breyonna Elijah Christy Calib Amber Kayla Kaysee Brooke Tyler Jessica Mahaliah Malachi Katie Valarie Alicia Shawn Adrienne Maya Kiana Ricaya Ricardo Taj Leanna Shannon Ardonit Drilona Flaklinda Alex Hugo Marlenne Delawrence Edward Kaileigh Troy Derrick Jamie Jennifer Richard Antonio Jackelin Kierra Dwayzha Dwalik Julisa Jason Cora Tyler Nicholas Joshua Taylor Antarius Janydia Kamiah Keelan Shauna Christian Rhianna Brandon Alexandra Amaya Aaliyah Quaharious Julia Elizabeth Efren Jessica Rhonda Tacara Crystal Nicholas Patrick Jordan Ashley Jamara George Sabrinia T J Maggie Josiah Khamari Raven Kisean Whiteny Ko  Leah Debria Santora Destiny Quentin Candace Nadia DeCoyta Austin Saige Savannah Alexis Sarah Jayleen Shilynne Rolita Damon Cheryl Kevin Robert J'len Malik Rakim Caleb Hailey Adarian Lance Val Quashawn Dezeray Kia Dillon Tyler Asia Brandon Jonathan Scotty Brandon Jeremy Ganesa Christopher Austin Sarah JoAnna Nadia Aaliyah Amber Rebecca Tori Megan Jalaila Joshua Stephon Tamara Monteco Isaiah Tyajah Tyrek Nizven ShaQasia Diezjah Jamal Willaim Kalynn Nijel Ashton Matthew Lynette Jamell Pam Javion Demartae Jadakuis Tiana Noah Skylar Tamara Kyle