As I look back over 2017 and think of all the meetings, appointments, programming, trips and all the fast food, it still all boils down to relationships; those are what really matter. Relationships remind kids they are valuable and they are loved. These relationships enable the kids we work with to move towards God and away from the poisonous relationships, false gods, and mess in which they are living.
I recently took a group of guys to Golden Corral, which I do every year. I do this because many of the guys I work with will not have a holiday meal with their family because of brokenness within their families. The ones that will gather for a meal say their family is pretty dysfunctional when they get together, so it generally ends badly. If all the other meals throughout their year aren't peaceful and full of life, I wanted this one to be. I wanted to have a time of celebrating the peace and the joy that Christmas is supposed to be about.
As I picked up the guys, it was eerily quiet because many of them didn't know each other and they all played it cool. But during the meal we got to laughing and talking about shoes, cars, and sports. Inappropriate topics were also brought up which I quickly dispelled. By the end of our meal at Golden Corral, the guys got to talking about what really matters in life. It was a special fellowship time that I know they'll treasure in their hearts. My hope is this one meal demonstrated what healthy relationships look like and gave them a glimpse of the love Jesus has for them.
Joe Wright
JJM Director