God’s Unconditional Love

When asked who my favourite child is, I often respond jokingly with “my favourite child depends on the day”. It was a truthful statement as some days the kids are not my favourite and I am sure that some days I am not their favourite person in the world either. I learned that my love was conditional and differed based on their behaviour. I wondered if this is how I viewed God’s love for me. That somehow God’s love towards me would change based on my own works, yet I know this is not true. In Romans 5:8 it says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”.  Praise God His love for us is not conditional on our works as we are sinful human beings. There is nothing we can do to earn God’s love, yet God chose to love us unconditionally. 

This past year God has given me a greater understanding of His fatherly love through serving at Kingston-Galloway. It has been a joy and blessing to watch the kids and youth grow up, but it has also been challenging and heartbreaking walking through various seasons of change alongside them. We strive to make our programs a safe space for kids to be kids in which they are comfortable being themselves. Yet our kids struggle with having a dual identity as they often act completely different outside of our programs. There is immense societal pressure amongst the kids in the community to keep a tough exterior in order to protect themselves. There seems to be a common fear that if you show any weakness or vulnerability you will be bullied or taken advantage of. 

Many of our older kids are at a crossroads in which they must decide which path they want to take as it is impossible to live two completely different lives. They can choose the easier path which succumbs to the negative influence of their peers around them, or perhaps they will choose the narrow path.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”- Matthew 7:13-14.

Yet choosing to follow Jesus will be difficult as they will have to resist temptation and stand up for what they believe in by being set apart from the world. 

Last year our children learned about the fruits of the spirit and we encouraged the kids to show love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The kids often found it difficult to understand why they should show love to those who have wronged them. They said “If someone hits me, I will get my get backs (revenge)”. I tried to explain that Jesus teaches us to not seek revenge and instead love our enemies. “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven”- Matt 5:44-45. During the summer, I had to practice what I preached. 

This past summer I was involved in an unprovoked TTC incident in which racial slurs and physical threats were directed at me for no justifiable reason. I prayed that God would give me the wisdom to know what to do to keep the rest of the campers safe in this high-intensity situation. As we debriefed the kids about the situation they were shaken, not out of fear but out of a desire for revenge. This incident did not phase them as it was nothing they haven’t seen before. What surprised them more was how calm I was not to fight back with them despite all that they said and did to me. They could not understand why I did not fight back. But I knew that any retaliation to defend my honour, pride and dignity as an Asian person and human being would have only escalated the problem. It would be selfish to do so as I would have only put everyone else at risk for a moment of the personal satisfaction of getting revenge. It was not worth it.  Although this incident would have justified a physical response according to the kids. I chose to respond to anger with gentleness and self-control. I chose to approach a chaotic situation with peace and patience through the power of the Holy Spirit. My response stuck with two of the individuals on the bus who recognized what they did was wrong. 

As difficult as this TTC incident was, it opened my eyes to see the type of situations the kids deal with on a daily basis and how difficult it is to choose to follow Jesus. I was upset that the kids had to hear their hateful language but I was thankful that the kids were able to witness firsthand the power of the Holy Spirit as I would not have been able to handle this on my own strength. The kids were able to see a different way to respond to hatred which was so countercultural to what they knew. This summer I earned some respect as the kids saw that I practiced what I preached in a real What Would You Do scenario. 

I am not a parent, but I have had a glimpse of what that may look like through loving the kids at KG. I want what’s best for them, yet I know that I can’t shelter them from the world and they must make decisions on their own. I can guide and direct them to the path which will bring them light and life, but they must choose to follow Jesus on their own. Some of our children have started getting in trouble in which they are disobeying their guardians, breaking rules and hanging out with negative influences. It is a difficult situation as the guardians want what is best for their children. Yet the kids often see consequences as an overreaction as they do not fully understand the potential repercussions of their actions. It is difficult for children to understand the heart of a mother/father/guardian as they feel trapped and restricted by rules. Yet rules are meant to protect and preserve morality not to be used to oppress or exploit others. In fact, God’s commandments were to ultimately protect the relationships between people and between the creator and His creation. Hopefully one day our children will come to understand that upholding rules is an act of love, as it would not be truly loving if everything was permissible.  

As I witness the path of life some of my children are choosing to take, it breaks my heart as I know the likely repercussions of their decisions. Due to the nature of our community some of these decisions may have long term impacts on their life, yet how can you fully comprehend the gravity of the situation as a child? I am sure that it hurts God’s heart when we choose to disobey Him and make decisions that will lead us to harm. Yet God would not be very loving if He controlled our lives and made every decision for us as we would no longer have freewill. God is Sovereign and He knows what decisions we will make but he cannot make them for us.

As I work with the children at KG I have a small glimpse of God’s unconditional love as a father. Sometimes I wish I could shelter the kids from the pain, suffering and evil of the world, yet this is not possible. Sometimes I also wish that the children would have a full understanding of the consequences of their decisions, yet this is also not possible. The only thing we can do is plant the truth of the Gospel and show and share the love of Jesus with the limited time we are given with them. Some of our children and youth have come and gone, yet even though they have gone astray they will always be welcomed back with arms open wide. In the same sentiment we also know that even when we sin, make mistakes and go astray we can always turn back to God whose arms are open wide ready to welcome us back home. 

We pray that our children, youth and families will experience the love of God personally. May they know that they are fully known and fully loved by God. We pray that one day they will accept the greatest gift of all, Jesus, as their Lord and Saviour. 

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God's Fondness For The Fragile

Julian was invited into our after-school programs through his cousins this past summer. His aunt was thankful that she was able to register him in camp as she normally helped take care of him in the summer. Julian was highly active and loved playing sports and games with the other kids at camp last summer. This high energy and competitive spirit helped him excel in sports despite being one of the smallest kids in camp. Julian has an innate desire to help others, especially staff and volunteers, and a heart of justice and loyalty to stand up for others. 

When Mila and Carmen, the Outreach Workers at Kingston-Galloway Community, first met Julian, he struggled at adapting to the rules and expectations of the program as it was completely different from what he was used to. Moreover, they challenged him to manage his emotions in healthier ways as he was short-tempered and quick to anger. As he began to build trusting relationships with the staff and volunteers, they learned that his outburst of emotions was often due to a compiling effect of other things going on in his life. 

They tried to find a balance between grace and discipline as they sought to understand how to best meet his needs while ensuring that they maintained a safe and welcoming space for everyone. Like any child, he did not react well when facing the consequences of his actions. The staff and volunteers continued to embrace him with Christ-like love in order to affirm that he is still loved. They reminded him that we can love and forgive one another because Jesus loved and has forgiven us first. 

This year Mila has had the opportunity to volunteer at the local school to support both students and teachers. This also means that she gets to see the kids in our TCM after-school programs at school. They always greet her with smiles and hugs and Julian is one of them. He wasn’t able to join our afterschool program during this school year because of his family pick-up schedule. At school, Mila was pleasantly surprised because she has seen positive changes in his behaviour. He is often found helping the staff, defending the weak and learning to express his emotions in healthier ways. He is now more open to being reasoned with before reacting and is slower to act in anger. Even though it may take a long time, he is slowly trying to be more patient and manage his emotions.

Mila believes that Julian’s small changes in behaviour are evidence of God at work to soften his heart. Despite staff having difficult conversations with him about following rules, Mila was surprised he remembers how much the leaders cared for him and appreciated everything they have done for him. He often reminisces about the good times he had at camp— field trips, new fun activities and eating yummy food. Whenever Mila sees him at school he will often say, “Do you remember when…?” and go on to list various things he did over the summer. 

This year during March Break, Julian returned to our day camp! He especially enjoyed playing basketball, bowling and cooking food. Although he still struggled with his emotions, Mila and Carmen encouraged him not to be discouraged and gave him strategies to succeed. One day, Julian made the smart decision to remove himself from basketball to play in a quieter environment when he knew that he was going to get upset. Julian knew to find Mila when he got upset and it brought joy to her heart knowing that she was someone he could trust to express his emotions in a safe and healthy way. 

Mila and Carmen pray that Julian will know that he is fully loved and fully known by God and that he may know that God can give him the ability to show love, patience, kindness, goodness, patience and self-control. We hope that Julian is reminded of what he learned about God at camp and may one day accept Jesus personally as His Lord and Saviour.

God’s Promise for Eternal Life

At the beginning of the year, we knew it was important to focus on God’s character before we taught the children about God’s promises. How could they put their trust in God they do not know? How can they trust that God would keep His promises if they do not know who He is? Last year we taught the kids about the Character of God based on Exodus 34:6b-7a:

“The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin (righteousness)”

The children who previously attended our programs have a foundational understanding about who God is and it is easier for them to put their trust in God as they know He is faithful and always keeps His promises. 

This summer, the kids demonstrated their knowledge of God’s promises by practically applying it to their everyday lives. At Kingston-Galloway, the kids were blessed to have the opportunity to go treetop trekking for the first time. Many were overcome by fear but in the midst of their fear, they encouraged each other with God’s promises. One young boy said, “we don’t need to fear because God is always with us, especially when we are scared. Isn’t that right”? The truth that God was always by their side eased their anxiety and gave them the confidence to continue through the course. The children knew that they could put their trust in God who is faithful in keeping His promises.

This year we hope to teach the kids about God’s promise of eternal life through the parable of the rich young ruler. This young man wanted to know how to receive eternal life which is something our kids want to know as well. He thought that he had to do a good deed to earn his way to heaven, but the bible makes it explicitly clear that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”

~ Ephesians 2:8-10

There is nothing we can do to earn our salvation as it does not solve our sin problem. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). God’s standard is perfection and it is impossible for anyone to keep all of God’s laws and commands. We do not need to be in despair as the rich young ruler who went away sorrowful because he thought it was impossible to have eternal life.

The parable continues with the disciples asking the question “who can be saved”? Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). As believers we have the assurance of salvation that even when we make mistakes and fall into sin we are forgiven if we ask. The rich young ruler did not understand that eternal life is a gift from God.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

— John 3:16

God loved us so much that He did not leave us in our sin but sent His son Jesus to pay the penalty of our sins. Jesus’ Salvation is a gift that is freely given but we must accept Him as our Lord and Saviour. We receive eternal life when we put our faith and trust in Jesus. “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). 

God’s promise of eternal life gives us hope for the future. We can look forward to spending eternity with our father in heaven. In Revelations 21:3-4, John describes a new heaven and earth,

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away”.

This promise of eternal life gives us hope through difficult times as we know that our pain and suffering here on earth are temporary. The knowledge that our lives are short in light of eternity should encourage us to make our lives count by making Christ’s name known. The rich young ruler loved his possessions more than he loved Jesus so he decided not to follow Him. Jesus asks us to be willing to give up everything and follow Him because He is ultimately the only one worth following. 

Eternal life is found exclusively through Jesus. It is received by repentance and believing in Jesus. It is a gift of God’s grace that we do not deserve but must choose to receive. It is an everlasting relationship with God in heaven. As believers, we have the assurance of salvation as God promises eternal life to all who believe. We pray that our kids, youth and families will receive the gift of eternal life by accepting Jesus as Lord and saviour. 

What is Your Calling?

By: Mila Abellera | Outreach Worker in Kingston-Galloway

At one point or another, you have probably asked yourself the question “What is my calling?”. For me, I have spent the majority of my life preoccupied with seeking God’s purpose for my life as I yearned to hear God’s call and to know His specific plans for my life. I knew that I wanted to live this one life I was given to serve God, yet I did not know what that practically looked like as you can literally glorify God in all that you do. John Piper said that “the only way we can make our lives count is by making Christ known”. I yearned for clarity as to how I could make Christ known in my life as I wanted to be a good steward with the gifts He has given me. What I learned over the years was that God does not often give us a map with exact coordinates, but rather a compass to direct our paths as we follow Him faithfully. What is faith? “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). 

Sometimes I wish that God would show me the plans He has for my life. Yet if God told me explicitly what He wanted me to do in the future would I run the other way like Jonah? Would I let my fears of inadequacy consume me and make excuses like Moses? Or would I serve Him faithfully like Abraham? “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:8-10). The truth is I am not sure what I would do if God told me what I would be doing now. I would have most likely not believed Him or felt inadequately prepared for serving Him in this capacity. Yet that is why we must trust in God’s sovereign will who prepares and refines us through various experiences and reveals new opportunities in His perfect timing. 

It is wise to seek God's call and direction for your life in order to serve Him intentionally with this short life we are given. Ephesians 5:15-17 says, "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is." Scripture also assures us that God will make our paths straight if we trust in Him. Proverbs 3:5-6 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight”. 

As you discern your calling here are some helpful questions that you can ask yourself. Do you have the knowledge, skills and competency to fulfill your calling? Are you practicing your calling? Have you spent time in prayer and fasting meditating on the word of God? Is your calling affirmed by fellow believers? Has God provided opportunities and opened doors to serve in this capacity?

It is wise to seek God’s direction in life, yet we must not let fear of the unknown paralyze us from serving God faithfully as God does not expect us to discover our calling before we act. It is only when we step out in faith and obedience are we able to see him at work in our lives after the fact. I learned that I had to seek first the Kingdom of God and then trust that He will take care of our needs before we know what they are and where we are going.

What is my calling? After many years God answered my prayer in which I believe that I am serving God in the right place at the right time for this specific season in life. God has equipped me with various experiences, knowledge, and skills I believe can be used effectively to serve at TCM as an outreach worker. God has also given me the heart to serve Him locally in the Kingston-Galloway community which fellow believers have affirmed. 

Through years of discernment, I have found freedom in knowing that God does not expect us to find His specific will for our lives before we do it. What God requires of us is our obedience in faith and trust in His sovereign will and perfect timing. Although we may not know our specific call, we know that God calls us to obey his explicit commands. God left us with commands to follow such as to love your neighbor as yourself and to go and make disciples of all nations. We are blessed to be a blessing in which we have both the privilege and responsibility to share the Gospel with those who have not heard.

Instead of being preoccupied with asking God to show us the future let us be instead confident that He holds the future.