twe12th

richwu:

I just want to record the fact that today, I had the privilege of returning to Children’s Garden.

Sarah and I arrived at the airport, and along with Ate Sharon there stood Kim, Michael and Joenard in matching pants, hipster sunglasses, and shiny high-top shoes. We were greeted with hugs and dance moves.

Turns out “Grow Up” was an apt name for our most recent trip. Much growing up has been happening. Boys going out to work. Boys finishing school. Boys looking steadier than ever.

And boys physically becoming men. Jaw lines hardening, features sharpening, demeanors maturing, muscles building.

We sat around and watched the videos you guys made for them with giggles and strained ears. Talked about life’s movements over the last 5 months. Checked in on the whereabouts of old friends, both from their side and from ours.

Jay Vee is no longer a baby; Paul has a girlfriend; Richard is back with his family; Henson and Justin got jobs as church caretakers; Ton Ton is back on the streets; Presley is still bringing the bacon home; everyone is anxiously awaiting the results of their recent ALS exam. The results mean that 4 of them could shoot for college, and others, for high school…

It is a time of growth. And we - you, me, and the rest of our motley crew - have had the distinct privilege to be a part of it. Your presence with the boys is felt everywhere at CG: from the computer lab, to the blue walls, to the beautiful, newly tiled kitchen. It’s like, in a way, we’re still there. I can see why so often they say that they will always remember us. When you live there, you can feel that love itself has been been painted on those walls.

So in a way, you too have had the privilege of being at CG today. We share this day with you.

(And as a side note, this is probably the best way that I can describe Christianity to some of you :)

‘One thing this school year is not is just another school year. You are not headed back to the same old school to see the same old teachers and eat in the same old cafeteria. This school year is not just “more of the same.” This school year is the beginning of something new.

It’s like when a family has a second child. That second child is never born into the same family as the first child. A first child is born into a family that has no children, but a second child is born to a family that has experience. In the same way, this school year is a new beginning for you. Everything is brand new—if you choose to see it that way.

God spoke to the prophet Isaiah and said, “See, I am doing a new thing!” Jesus did not say, “I came so all things could be…uh…pretty much the same as they always have been.” Jesus said, “I came so that all things could be NEW. …”

This is a chance. This is a new beginning. Right now you can choose to look at this new school year with all the potential and hope that God sees in you.’

Source: Book of Uncommon Prayer Vol. 2 by Stephen Case