Chord groups

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!... A three-fold chord is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:9-10,12b

For several years now, David and I have been passionate about the importance of community for the Christian life. Back in the US we led a community group for over 10 years, and David was the elder overseeing that ministry at our church. Now, as our missionary team has grown and changed over the past few years, we have been working to build more intimate community with our team here. We all need brothers and sisters in our lives to remind us of the gospel and to help us live out all of the "one another" commands in Scripture. I have so many thoughts on this particular topic, that I have considered writing a book about it. Maybe one day... 

As we have thought about the importance of Christian community for ourselves, we have also realized that children can benefit from Christian community too. The children who live here at GSF do not have loving families who are discipling them as they grow. Instead they have housemoms who care for them well, but who also have many other children to care for, several of whom have special needs and require much time and attention. In order to better to disciple the children here and provide Christian community for them, GSF has developed "chord groups." The concept is based on the verses above. The children are divided into age and gender specific groups. In each group there is a missionary and a Ugandan staff member as leaders. It is our hope and prayer that these small groups will provide opportunities for these kids to have a meaningful connection with adults who can help point them to Jesus. We also hope that as they grow, they will encourage one another in their faith. 

I have enjoyed the opportunity to meet with the the girls of GSF aged 8-10. We usually spend our time together making something like doll clothes, brownies, or Easter cards, eating snacks and talking about the gospel. I have the privilege of working with one of our Ugandan social workers to love on these girls. Below is a photo of the girls eating popcorn after some sewing.  Sewing is not one of my talents, but the girls wanted to, so we worked on it together. 

David gets to build relationships with the boys ages 10-12. That usually happens during a game of soccer or basketball and a brief Bible study. 

Please pray for us as we invest in the lives of these kids. It is our hope that we can equip them, in order that one day they will also go and make disciples! (2 Timothy 2:2)