We have lived here in this house for over two years.
It has taken thousands of dollars in groceries.
We have opened our home and hearts to sweaty hugs and smelly feet.
Our family has participated in countless ball games and been the referee for many wars.
I have made these boys run laps, carry groceries, and wash out their cups. (no dishwasher here)
I’ve had the honor of them calling me “Mom.”
We welcomed them into our lives as if they were our own boys.
We simply offered up love to a group of teenage boys and tonight we finally saw some fruit.

It has been worth every minute because tonight, in the cab of Brad’s white truck a little after nine, one of our boys accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. It doesn’t end there, Brad began sharing with another boy what had happened and he said, “I want to repent too.” Amen.

I spent last week in El Salvador and shared Christ with the precious children and it was simple to share the gospel there. We had a message they wanted to hear and accept.

America, not so much. Our message is drowned out by the pace and excitement our first world country has to offer.

Reaching a generation in our neighborhood is hard work. It is messy and your investment doesn’t offer quick return or glorious numbers, but one (or two) changed lives gives me the grace to continue on. It spurs me on when I wake up with kids asleep all over my house. It reaffirms our choice to move here on the days when I want to live in a neighborhood with white picket fences and swimming pools.

Tonight, God gave me a glimpse of how His Hand is working in the midst of our little lives here in Meadowview.

Tonight, we rejoice because two more of our boys have begun a new life, a life full of Jesus Christ.