This year was no exception as NCS and the Jazz Band again converged on The Arrow Project to provide an energetic Christmas party for foster children. The event was another huge success, thanks to the efforts of our participating high school students, and especially the Christian Council. All kinds of activities were on the menu! We provided face painting, ornament making, cookie decorating (unfortunately, none of this artwork survived!), coloring, story-telling, and of course many sports outside, like four-square, street hockey, and two incredibly popular bounce houses. Throughout the event our own Jazz Band graciously supplied our audio needs.

Our students truly ministered to the kids. The focus was on these innocent children. Our students shined in their efforts to make these kids feel special, important, and needed. The foster parents were thankful and enjoyed a needed break. After all the serving an amazing spread of classic holiday dishes were delivered to this impressive facility to satisfy our hunger. Students were dancing with the children to various Christmas tunes providing a true family atmosphere.

During the meal I was struck by the poignant reality that I was in the midst of true heroes. We were only with the kids three hours, but the foster parents literally raise these kids and often go on to adopt them. The foster parents usually have children of their own and then accept the daunting challenge of caring for society’s unwanted children. I praise God for our foster parents. They serve to the glory of God!

The memories I gain from such an event often prove to be my most cherished memories in life. Something just feels right when we serve God. We are doing what we were designed to do and the feeling is amazing. What an honor it was for me to serve alongside our servant-hearted students. I am proud of them and proud to be serving NCS.

And hopefully next year we will not see the same children, because that will mean they have been adopted and have a permanent home and family of their own. May we all be reminded that the LORD knows each child by name, and in spite of life’s unfairness, has a spiritually prosperous plan for each one’s life (Jer. 29:11).