To help with organization, kids who must wait to be picked up (as opposed to being allowed to leave on their own) have their hands marked with a smiley face in magic marker. Since, however, snacks are handed out as the children leave, this means that the "unaccompanied minors" get theirs first!
Having learned this rule in the past, he stood off to the side of the lines of his happy peers, sucking his grimy hand with great gusto, to wash off the mark and pass through the line sooner, rather than later!
A little before...
Some smallish children started lining up, even though there was still plenty of time to play. One volunteer encouraged them to go enjoy the games and toys, the climbing wall and swings, the hanging bridge and other play spaces.
Their response?
---"We want the snack!"
The volunteer, not a regular at the Jungle, reassured them:
---"Don't worry; they'll call you when it's time."
---"But we don't have to wait for them to call us. We have to be ready!"
This reminds me of a story that Jesus tells in Matthew chapter 25:
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’
But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour."
He also tells other stories about being ready, about being on the lookout and being wise in one's actions and decisions.
Maybe they were just some kids wanting cookies and juice... but they understood that the world (spiritual and physical) isn't waiting on them and that good things come to those who desire them and are willing to make the necessary arrangements (albeit sacrifices) to receive what they long for.
Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
(Matthew 7:9-11)
We are in the process of buying and remodeling the buildings that house the Jungle. This is an important step in Formando Vidas' work of building friendship and trust with at-risk kids and their families, and sowing seeds of the gospel in their lives. We've been approved for a match-grant of up to $36,000 US dollars. That means if we raise that money, it'll be doubled to a total of $72,000, which is enough to pay off what we owe and finish the initial rennovation!
Formando Vidas is not in the business of buying and owning properties. We view property and buildings as tools to reach the kids, where they are. Wanna help the Jungle keep going, keep reaching more kids? Please consider joining us in this venture! If you want more information to share with your friends/family/church group, let me know. Check out the website, too: www.colombiastreetkids.org
Also, to donate toward that match-grant fund raising, you can send a check to Formando Vidas at:
Formando Vidas, Inc.
c/o Robyn Patzig
4520 Shadowridge Dr.
The Colony, TX 75056(just include a separate note that says it's for the BigFoot fundraiser)
or see this page: http://colombiastreetkids.org/get-involved/donate/ to donate through paypal or from another country!
May you hunger and thirst for righteousness -- so that God will fill you up!
