The Lord provided a fantastic day for us to visit the Salvation Army women's shelter near downtown Houston on McGowan Street. This impressive facility provides a safe home for women and their children. We set up in the cafeteria with crafts and snacks for the mothers and their precious and energetic kids. Salvation bracelets, card making, and old-school coloring were on the arts menu, while outside provided basketball, a playground, football, hula hoops, and chalk art on the sidewalk.

Our students interacted with teenagers and chased little ones around the playground. One young boy found great pleasure in smashing the chalk with a hockey stick. I was struck by the pain this boy must feel to not have a father in his life. My guess is I would also need to smash some stuff. I was especially moved by Alonso Blanchet's prayer for the Lord to heal a handsome baby boy from a congenital heart disease. At the request of the young and courageous mother, we prayed for God to heal this baby boy. Alonso boldly prayed for God to perform a miracle. My heart hurt at the thought of a mother carrying such a burden, but strengthened by her faith in asking us to pray over her priceless child.

I am so honored to serve alongside our Christian Council. The Lord has blessed this group with many genuine servant hearts, not just students trying to fulfill service hours (not that there is anything wrong with that!). These students love the Lord and my wife and I were fortunate enough on this day to join these students serving in a place where I am convinced we would have found Jesus if he were to visit Houston. Please read these words …

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me,
and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of
heaven belongs to such as these”
(Matthew 19:14 NIV).

He took a little child and had him stand
among them. Taking him in his arms,
he said to them, “Whoever welcomes
one of these little children in my name
welcomes me; and whoever welcomes
me does not welcome me but the
one who sent me” (Mark 9:36-37 NIV).