Childhood expression

by Elizabeth Gilroy
Two weeks ago I started a creative writing class with a group of junior and high school students. I absolutely love inspiring kids to write.  It is clearly my passion and one that I want to infect the world with around me. And right now my world is mostly about kids, whether it be my own, other's or the girls and boys that are being sold in to prostitution on the streets here in San Jose.

Well, this morning I decided to do a creative writing project with Gabi and Abi since they are not a part of the older kids creative writing class. While they sat writing their project, I understood the power of legacy and how important it is to pass on such passions to our children. Writing is a tool our children can use to affect the world around them.  As I pass on my passion and skills, they will learn to use it and create with it in ways that are beyond even where I am.

Here is a sample of what we did today. I found this photo on the internet and told them to look at it and write whatever came to their minds. While gentle music played in the background, here is what they wrote.

Little Girl

by Abigail Gilroy

Little girl on green grass soft as feathers

Sweet little girl with white tights and many frights.

She follows her dreams through everything.

Little girl sweet as honey

and shimmering brown hair.

Sunshine

by Gabriella Gilroy

Smell the grass, the dirt, the trees

See the children play, 

All but one,

She sits alone thinking

no one likes her.

The boys play pranks,

the girls gossip.

Poor little girl.

The sun shines down on the fields.

Nobody seems to notice the twinkle in her eye.

Writing is a powerful form of expression. It can touch every aspect of the human condition. If we can teach our kids, now while they are young, to reach into the pain and suffering of others, we have begun our journey of making them true missionaries. Missionaries that pursue the heart of God, to care about what He cares about, to act from His calling and be the hands and feet of healing and hope for others. 

Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. 

~ Ben Franklin

A child's divine encounter

Before you take time to read this post, I want to apologize for not keeping this blog very up-to-date. Life over the past three months has been a whirlwind. Even though I have not been able to post regularly, I have collected photos and stories to share. You will see them all as I have time. Thank you for reading them and sharing your comments. This means so much to us even though at times I do not get responses back. God is doing great things in our lives in and through our children. They are a huge part of who we are and what we are doing. I hope you enjoy this one. ~ Elizabeth

This morning I woke up to the overwhelming desire to read the Bible and have time with God. But instead of being able to go off by myself, Abi was awake so I invited her to join me. With Bible in hand, I went to find a place to cuddle up with her. 

While she was brushing her teeth, she asked, "Mom, is there a 41st Psalm?" 

After I affirmed that there was she said, "Let's read Psalms 41." "Alright, that sounds good but why did you choose that one?" I asked, curious at her very specific request. "Did God tell you that one?"

"No, God did not tell me but it was a picture in my head," she said. "Psalms 41 was right there in my head."

"That was God talking to you," I explained. 

"No, mommy, he doesn't say words. He doesn't speak to me,"she spoke with frustration in her tone.

"Well, God does not always speak with words. Sometimes He gives us pictures or ideas," I explained, so grateful for this moment of revelation. 

"Okay, well then this was from God. Let's read it," she said ending the conversation.

We opened the Bible together and opened it to Psalms 41 and what a treat we received! Let me explain.

The girls and I came to the coastal town of Jaco for me to attend a mini-conferenc on human trafficking and working with women in prostitution. A team from Portland, Oregon came to build up and strengthen  local ministries in this beach town known for commercially exploited children and the trafficking of women. Evidently, there are three mafia groups here selling girls and women into prostitution.

(While I was attending the conference our girls are staying with a home schooling family. You can read their blog. Leslie is another missionary mom. www.fivefreemans.wordpress.com)

In the conference, our focus in the sessions has been from Isaiah 1:17. 

Learn to do good.
      Seek justice.
   Help the oppressed.
      Defend the cause of orphans.
      Fight for the rights of widows.

I have been amazed how the fight for justice is clearly dictated throughout all of scripture. It must be very close to the heart of God. I have so much to share about it all, but that is for a different blog or speaking engagement. 

For now, when God told Abi for us the read Psalm 41, I realized it was His way of sharing beautiful words of comfort and encouragement that I needed in particular.  Here are the words of Psalm 41:1-3:

Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor!
      The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble.
 The Lord protects them
      and keeps them alive.
   He gives them prosperity in the land
      and rescues them from their enemies.
 The Lord nurses them when they are sick
      and restores them to health.

It was His way of telling me He is going to take care of my family as I move forward in the work with the women and children on the streets. In this passage, He is promising so much, every desire we have for our children. My heart has been moved all morning, once again, at His faithfulness to me, the girls and our family as a whole. 

And even more than this, He chose to speak through my daughter in speaking to me. She shared in moment of sweet communion with God our father. She was oblivious to what He was doing. But as we sat and read the Word, it was so beautiful. 

I believe these moments should be common place in our lives as parents with our children. Our need for communion with God can include our children. It's can be our way to teach them the joy of practicing the presence of God. Let them share in the divine encounter.  Oh, let them taste and see that the Lord is good!!!

Our Abi