The Audacity of Hope

By Wanda Parker

I thought it would be good today to look at what the audacity of Hope looks like from KidTrek’s perspective.

Hope indicates that one can look into the future and see a possibility of things being better than what they are today.  For families in crisis this is often impossible to do.  Today I am going to mainly address the needs of families living in poverty.

The initial response from most people is that we should give them money and things.  But reality, if one takes time to look at the big picture, is that money and things do not meet their larger need.  We have all heard the saying, “Give a person a fish and they will have one meal, teach them how to fish and they will be able to eat forever.”

How do you do that?  It doesn’t happen by taking money from the wealthy and giving it to the poor.

You do it by getting middle class and wealthy individuals involved in the lives of the poor.  They walk through life TOGETHER. 

“In doing so they learn from each other, they connect to each other and care for each other.  For students from generational poverty to learn, a significant relationship must be present.  When individuals who made it out of poverty are interviewed, virtually all cite an individual who made a significant difference for them.  Not only must the relationships be present, but academic tasks need to be referenced in terms of relationships.” Ruby Payne, Understanding and Working With Students and Adults of Poverty

This is KidTrek’s vision – training individuals, through modeling, in churches how to be involved with families in crisis.  Church members see what KidTrek staff are doing and they want to get involved.  Thus more and more individuals begin to walk through life with families in crisis.  During this walk families in crisis have modeled for them how to manuver through beuracracies, how to parent, how to get and maintain a job – the list is endless.  It is done through relationship not just telling them what to do. 

When this begins to happen there will truly be an audacity of hope not only for the poor – but for everyone involved.  This is going to draw more to get involved.  This is when we will see real change happen. 

And yes, there may even be a bit of transfer of wealth – but it won’t be because the government says you have to do it.  It will be voluntary and willingly as people help others. 

If you haven’t done so before read through our previous blogs to see in more detail how this might happen.

If you want to join the walk click here and let us know 

KidTrek – Refining Communication of Vision

By Wanda Parker

This past Saturday was a KidTrek board meeting. It was exciting to see how God worked through each member of the board to refine the vision He has given us for KidTrek. We aren’t finished with the refining so don’t consider this the final version.

Tell us what you think.

KidTrek equips churches to reach families in crisis.

KidTrek establishes youth programs in partnership with local churches to serve the community.

Through modeling, training, and coaching KidTrek equips adults to build intentional, long-term relationships with families in crisis.

Our goal is to see at-risk kids become Christ-changed, hope-filled, productive adults.

After-School Programs – Must Be Intentional

By Wanda Parker

The Invisible Children of America need more than just a randomly run after-school program that they can drop into if they feel like it.

They need adults who know how to be intentional with them so they learn from example. Betty and Darrel Watson are two such people in the lives of Invisible Children. They recently celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary and decided to do so with the kids with whom they have been walking through life for many years now.

Why is this significant?

Because most of these kids have never known a couple who has been married that long – they didn’t think it was possible.

Below are pictures of the celebration and Betty’s comments.

Here are pictures of our two days of parties with the kids at Farm Drive for our 46th anniversary, April 14^th. The occasion was the perfect opportunity to share with the kids God’s plan for marriage in our lives.

Note that their own kids and grandkids are part of the celebration. More intentional modeling.

We made the cake last for both groups on both days and still had enough left to share with Steve and Rena who were there working on Tuesday and with Pete and Jessica who got home before we left that day. Note the beautiful rose in a water bottle – made a perfect vase! The kids weren’t sure that the picture was really of us. Marcus comment – “you looked better here” he said as he pointed at the photo.

The rose is a double delight from the yard at Farm Drive. Rena picked it and brought it in.

Marcus (Center back in light blue shirt) asked us if he could have a picture with us and so part of the kids jumped up and joined us for a picture.

Sharing with the kids God’s plan for marriage. That is our daughter Karen with the blond pony tail in the left bottom and Katy Assadi on right.

Rapt listeners!! Great kids!!

Karen and Justin are the blonds with Cassie just out of picture on the left. Karen is our daughter, Cassie and Justin our grandkids. They moved to Farm Drive to live and minister15 years ago when Cassie was 3 months old. Justin was born while they lived there.

We all listen attentively as “Mr. Watson” explains commitment and the importance of commitment in life as well as in marriage. When he asked them what commitment meant, Jasmin replied “Keeping a promise”!! One of the older kids on Tuesday replied, “It’s what we did when we signed a contract and promised to come to KidTrek everyday!” Right on kids!!

Tuesday group of older kids

Can you tell that there is only about 2/3 of the cake left from yesterday? See the pink blob in my right hand? A large rose fell off when I was holding the cake up for the picture. Fortunately it did not fall on any of the girls heads in front of me.

Cutting the cake so we can “feed each other a piece”!

We did this at the request of the kids – aren’t you going to feed each other they asked? And so we did.

Chicago – 32 Shot, 6 Dead – Where Are The Activists?

By Wanda Parker

The first thing I heard on the news this morning was the report that 32 were shot in Chicago over the weekend – so far 6 have died.

Can you imagine the uproar if we had awoken on a Monday morning to hear that this had happened in Iraq?

Where are the activists?

The problem is that the activists would want the government to fix this – but it isn’t a government problem.  It is a parental problem, a societal problem.  The government would just make it worse.  I would love activists challenging parents to parent; challenging churches to step up and take responsibility for not doing what Christ has called them to do. Matthew 18:1-14, Deuteronomy 6

This is a sign of poverty of the soul – the American government can’t fix poverty of the soul.

This is why KidTrek is placing missionaries into churches to come alongside and support these families that have been broken for generations.  Throwing money at them doesn’t fix the poverty of the soul.  Spending an hour or two a week with a kid doesn’t address the issues of generational brokenness. 

I told my husband this morning I was at the point of just wanting to give up because Americans don’t seem to care about what is happening with these kids, these families.  I know I can’t give up – I have a greater fear of God Almighty, He is the one who continues to challenge me to keep on keeping on and not turn back.

It is interesting that Chicago is the next place that we will be placing missionaries – we are looking for interested churches. 

If you would like to join KidTrek in walking through life with at-risk kids and their families and you are a first time visitor to our blog take some time to read through it; in doing so you will get a feel for our passion and vision.  We cannot do this alone!  We are praying the Lord will raise up an army of committed  people with a passion to see the Invisible Children of America reached.  Jesus Christ uses people in different ways – see below how you might join the walk.

Click Here to be a Giving Warrior  Missionaries need to be supported to give their whole life to working with these families.

Click Here to be a Prayer Warrior This vision will only happen if Jesus Christ starts touching Christians to give their lives to making a difference in America.

Click Here if Christ is calling you to be a missionary in America.

Amazing Grace

This video speaks for itself.

Invisible Children – True Change Needed

By Wanda Parker

The Invisible Children of America don’t need a lot of rhetoric – they need true change.

True change involves adults who are willing to get involved and provide intentional, long term nurturing. 

It is so easy to throw “things” at children and feel good that we have provided “things” for these poor children.  Or we create a program where adults will come and spend an hour a week with kids – and we feel like we have done so much.  It makes us feel good – does it really make much of a change in the kids’ lives?

Research is showing that though there may be immediate changes – those changes aren’t lasting.  What these kids need is intentional long term nurturing.

But who can do that?

That is why KidTrek is placing missionaries into churches.  These missionaries can concentrate on the Invisible Children in the community and their families.  In doing so they can provide the real needs of the kids and thus true, lasting change will happen.

A Secondary-Nurturer (Missionary)is challenged to count the cost, addressing the personal drain of time, emotions, physical, social and spiritual. A Secondary-Nurturer must pray and fast; not a fast from food, a fast from the things he desires for himself as he unselfishly pours himself into the lives of kids.

 

“Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.”  I Thessalonians 2: 8

If you would like to learn more about what a Secondary Nurturer/Missionary does click here then scroll down to Secondary Nurturers

To make this happen we need the funding to support these missionaries.  If you would like to be a financial warrior click here

If you think the Lord may be calling you to be a missionary click here

If you are a church who would like to partner with KidTrek to place missionaries in your community click here

Pray and ask the Lord how He wants you to join the walk.

How Does Childhood Relate to Adulthood?

By Wanda Parker

Every Tuesday I visit a different KidTrek Associate Center. Yesterday Bible Focus was a competition between two teams.  A volunteer read the Bible story and then asked questions for which the teams had to come up with a consensus answer. 

 

I was amazed as I watched 3rd through 6th graders work together on each team to come up with the correct answer. As I watched, I wondered if they would have been so engaged with listening to the scripture read if there wasn’t a reward being offered.

 

They were actually competing against themselves because each member on the team received a KidTrek Buck if the team’s answer was correct.  Both teams worked on each question.  There was also the sense of pride when they gave a correct answer. 

 

The Secondary Nurturers were awesome as they interacted with the kids during the game.  I don’t think the kids even realized they were learning.  Yet when one of the Secondary Nurturers would ask his team a non-competitive question such as, “Would you have done what Joseph did?  Why?” I had to fight back the tears as I listened to their responses; it was amazing to hear their depth. 

 

They weren’t just getting the head knowledge – they had an understanding of the concept that God is all loving even though He takes us through difficult painful circumstances.  They could even give personal examples of such.

 

A second grader at one point said, “Aw Devon, you know the answer; tell us.”

 

“No, you have to know the answer to get a Buck.  Listen more carefully and you will get the next one” was Devon’s response.

 

In this interaction, they learned that lack of attention leads to negative consequences; paying attention leads to positive consequences.

 

When one team answered incorrectly while the other team answered correctly, the “losing” team spontaneously clapped for the winning team and said, “You guys are great.”  The “winning” team thanked the “losing” team.  There were no losers because of the guidance they received from their Secondary Nurture

In raising children we must be intentional in everything we do.  We must think critically as we establish our philosophy of child rearing.  We must go to the Bible continually to guide us in this process.  Too often what appears to be good today can actually do more harm than good when one looks out into the future. 

 

We must ask ourselves:

 

“HOW DOES CHILDHOOD RELATE TO ADULTHOOD?”

 

No matter where you go in the world, once a child is weaned, there are still decades during which the child depends on adults for subsistence.  What is the reason for this time of childhood? 

 

A child can learn how to use a computer at a fairly young age, but the judgment needed to discern the best use of the computer takes time.  This judgment requires adults who are productive, empathetic and wise to guide the child through real life experiences.  Children may become productive at varying ages dependent on their culture; however the empathy and wisdom needed for total self-sufficiency takes decades. 

 

Children need long-term relationships with adults who are productive, empathetic and wise.  These are the characteristics we want to see replicated in children that they too become self-sufficient adults. 

 

What are some tools that children will need as adults to be productive, empathetic and wise?  Click here to see a list of tools

 

 

To read the entire White Paper from which this is taken click here and then scroll down to Competition

 

 

 

 

 

 

Touching the Whole Family

By Wanda Parker

If you are going to make a lasting difference in the life of at-risk kids you must minister with the entire family. KidTrek is determined to touch the life of not just the child but his/her entire family. Below you will discover why it takes missionaries who are able to devote 100% of their time to these at-risk families.

FAMILY SUPPORT

Our goal is to provide Christ-based family services.

• Family Support emphasizes a proactive approach toward the prevention of problems to help families function more effectively and develop a sense of family self-sufficiency and community empowerment.
• There is no single Family Support model – each family is unique with unique needs.
• It will be guided by biblical principles and goals.

Family Services:

In fulfilling our mission of providing services to kids and their families, KidTrek will adhere to the following principles:

• All kids will grow up safe, healthy, educated, and in a safe home.
• All kids within our care are treated with respect, compassion, and dignity in order to provide a high quality of life. Kids, families, and relatives will be provided with appropriate needs assessments and the resources to meet those needs.
• Services will be provided in collaboration with KidTrek, partnering ministries, and community agencies.
• Services will be tailored to the needs of individual families and are respectful of the family’s history, experience, culture, and knowledge.
• Our services will be Christ-based and will deliberately seek biblical truth that can be used to accomplish goals.

Our Strategic Plan:

• To serve and protect at-risk kids and their families.
• Families in need will be identified through the relational ministry of KidTrek to kids and their families
  • As Secondary Nurturers make their home visits they will identify needs.
  • KidTrek Family Services ministry will begin with one family.
• To identify appropriate local agencies and individuals with whom KidTrek Family Services will work to accomplish these plans. Click here to see what some of those agencies might be

Goals:

• Family Support emphasizes a proactive approach toward the prevention of problems to help families function more effectively and develop a sense of family self-sufficiency and community empowerment.
• KidTrek Family Services will continually improve its programs and delivery system to better protect kids and their families.

Children In Crisis

By Wanda Parker

A child at a KidTrek Associate Ministry lost both her mother and grandmother on the same day.  Her mother was in a foreign country because the cancer treatment was less expensive – so the child wasn’t able to really say goodby to her mother.

The father is dealing with his own grief.  The siblings are dealing with their grief.  They do not belong to a church family that can provide a buffer for this child.  The father isn’t sophisticated enough, even if he had the money, to see that his child needs counseling.

Who is there to walk through this difficult time with this child-in-crisis?

There is a Secondary Nurturer!  If you want to know more about Secondary Nurturers click here .

This child doesn’t need balls, crayons, computers, videos – she needs a human who can spend time with her talking about her mom.  It is always so easy to throw things at kids when what they really need is people.

This is just one child in crisis – there are thousands and thousands out there who need a loving adult to walk through life with them.  This is why KidTrek is placing missionaries in churches across America.

To learn more read through the previous blogs.

To help fund a missionary/secondary nurturer click here

Do you feel Christ calling you to be a missionary/secondary nuruturer?  click here

Curriculum – Abandonment

By Wanda Parker

“Biblical truths are often learned by kids on a cognitive level. The difficulty comes in the transition from “learned truth” to “lived out” truth. Kid Trek has been invaluable in helping our kids make that transition. Key to this is the fact that KidTrek’s view of the gospel is grounded in real life.  Jesus doesn’t always deliver from difficulty, but is always present in it and working redemptively through it. I have found that as we teach through the Kid Trek curriculum, Jesus breaks into their world.” Forrest Short, Associate Center Director.  

The children in KidTrek Centers have all too often experienced abandonment in their lives.  So in our curriculum we address that issue.

What could be worse than to be rejected, abandoned, sold into slavery by the very people with whom God designed for you to be the closest? Through a study of Joseph we deal with the issue of abandonment. Though we be abandoned by parents, siblings, friends, co-workers we have the promise of God that He will never abandon us once we submit our lives to Him.  Throughout the Bible we see God the Father reaching out to us, His creation, with a lasting love.  Though Adam and Eve ignored The Father’s commandment to not eat of the tree of good and evil, yet God seeks Adam to reestablish a relationship with him. Again we see The Father reach out to each of us as He gives the ultimate, His own Son, to rescue us sinners and to give us eternal life.  “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.”  I John 3:16
Though Joseph experienced rejection over and over He continued to keep his eyes on God.  He gained strength from his knowledge that God had a purpose in each piece of pain.  Genesis 50:20

We never tell the kids that coming to Jesus will make their lives easier – we do tell them that Jesus will be there with them through everything they experience.  We do tell them that there is always a purpose, even though we may not know or understand that purpose in this life time.

If you are interested in the lay out of the curriculum click here.