revolutionary to me... tutoring insights

1) It's tempting to get discouraged because sometimes the kids' behaviors and attitudes sometimes make it seem like we beat them, and really Aren't Loving them. But we are. We ARE.
Why not much change?? A friend or tutor's support is not enough to fix Deep wounds from possibly those closest to and loved by them. A new person in your life who you've known 3 months Cannot heal the fact that you were possibly rejected by a mother or father. 1) If they were allowed to think they were not valued for any amount of time, it will take much time to counter-act it. 2) Most have not yet understood who God is. When GOD encounters and loves on a child, it will not only cover the wound, but heal DEEP down underneath it (like to the heart). We must continue to point/Shove kids to HIM since we cannot heal! :) May God Father a fatherless generation and may they understand Him as Papa in a level way beyond what we have.

2) We do not want to make robots who just follow the rules all the time, but until there is a heart change that motivates them to WANT to act right out of right character, we are teaching them social skills which will position them in places to recognize and recieve assistance from people in the future, which will hopefully all contribute to their eventual internal change.

3) We serve not because the kids need it. Even if they do - our mindset is that we serve because God loves them SO much. With this in mind, we expect nothing in return, and with this heart, we actually will see much more response in return. People respond to love. And we can better be sustained when we serve from a place of Love.

Praise God

Thank the Lord for services in Grant County. They are good! no more need for uniform stuff for these two. If you give, it will always be used for some child, but we can be assured, God has provided already. :)

URGENT NEED

As MICO aims to connect resources to meet needs: I need to inform you of a need in the neighborhood and ask for help!

Two high school students (one boy one girl) need school uniforms. One on the brink of dropping out, one not able to go - not having the right attire should NOT be the thing keeping these kids from being present in school, nor should looking for clothes be an extra stress to already crazy situations or an issue to argue about with teachers.

If you would like to contribute, please sent wal-mart or Big R gifts cards or a Check to MICO with "School uniform" in the subject line to 211 W. 7th St. That's my house. Upon recieving, you will get a receipt from MICO, and I will know to proceed with shopping. Thank you!

how to keep guys from hollering at you in the hood

Do a job a man's supposed to do. Suddenly, they don't even want to look! Walk three blocks to work and get two honks from passer-bys. Shovel for an hour and suddenly no one wants to talk! =P I'm just playin... kind of.

Tutoring Updates!

These kids are amazing. Crazy - but amazing.
-The helpers are awesome. Thank you ALL. You rock, and this program would be nowhere without you.
-We had some quiet during Bible Study.
-We've had three parents in the past week come IN to contact us personally and offer advice and encouragement and step in to offer advice to their kids and kids' friends.
-The kids are HAPPY to help with dishes
-We have seen improvement in their response to US and their discipline to do homework on their own. Still ways to go, but we're Seeing improvement, no less!
-I Had lost my keys, but I PRAYED and PRAYED and someone found them and walked them right back to me today! YES!

-Check out this e-mail I got from the school's social worker:

You guys are doing a wonderful job. Kids are getting homework done!!!.

Funny thing is that some of it is not getting to school in the morning! Wish I was a fly on the wall to see what happens to it between MICO house and School! lol.

Archie is doing well. He IS bringing his homework back to school. This has been the best thing for him. He is such a great kid. I wish you could see him in the classroom. It just blesses my heart.

Appreciate all of you.