Sharing God's Love and Our Hope in Him

Another Christmas has come and gone. You may like me have lingering decorations up to hold onto the magic, or maybe you have quickly packed it all away to move onto all the new year has to bring. When you look back on the holidays and presents, were all your hopes and expectations met? Oftentimes the holidays can leave us with unmet expectations and disappointment if it doesn't live up to what we had hoped. Luckily that is not the case with the extraordinary gift of God’s grace which is clearly evident in the Christ-child lying in a manger: the gift that keeps on giving. Titus 2:11 says “for the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people…” Grace is God’s undeserved love for us. It is a gift that is freely and generously given. Christ, the son of God, taking on flesh was God’s greatest visible act of love to a fallen world. When we look at Jesus, born in a manger, living and dying for us, and being raised from the dead, we see the grace of God active for our salvation.

One of the greatest joys in my life is being able to share God’s love and our hope in Him with the children in the Reading Circle program. Seven years ago I began volunteering as a literacy mentor to a tiny and shy second grader named Bu Meh. While her stature was small, her heart was large. I had no idea how much my life was about to be enriched through my relationship with her, or how God would teach me about his grace and love for us through a weekly reading program.

During reading circle, you get to help your student build their reading, fluency, and comprehension skills through a variety of interactive literacy activities. It is amazing to see the students’ growth in language as well as their confidence in their own ability! Many students grow levels upon levels within even a school year, and to have a front row seat to this achievement is nothing short of incredible! The progress they make in our program will impact their academic life for years to come as they prepare to be contributing members in our society.

While the literacy coaching is a large part of what we do in the Reading Circle program, my favorite aspect is the relationship building and teaching about God’s character and love for His children. At the beginning of Reading Circle, we begin with the reading of God’s Word. It’s during this time we get to dive into God’s truth and ask our students to share what they are learning about who God is and who He says we are. Not only have I been able to encourage Bu Meh, and now my student Rosilyn, but they too have pushed and encouraged me in the ways that I view God. Rosilyn, a fifth grade student, has been working so diligently on memorizing scripture each week. She not only memorizes the words of a verse but she loves to share what that verse means to her. It’s her dedication and heart for knowing God’s word that encourages me in my own study of the Bible and how I reflect on what He is teaching me through his word. Rosilyn cares deeply about her friends and family, and she shows that in how she prays for them during our time of prayer requests at the table. She longs for peace and comfort for her family, and I get to share how we find that in the loving arms of our Father.

I give thanks to God all the time, for allowing me to be a part of the transformational work He is accomplishing in Vickery Meadows through the Reading Circle program. It is one of the greatest honors to be His hands and feet through this weekly volunteer work. God is softening hearts, transforming lives, and daily showing His love and mercy to these students and beyond.

Written by: Megan Nguyen