There were approximately 27 families there and each one of them was represented in some way at our party! The play room was packed and we had to have families come in shifts so that there was enough space. The staff - nurses, child life, etc. - kept commenting on the party and how much of a difference it was making for the families. This year, many of the families stayed and hung out and socialized with each other and found networking and support instead of just taking their food and gifts and going back to their rooms. This is one of the things that we try to facilitate, and were ecstatic that it was accomplished!
Additionally, we served tons of food, hugged lots of necks, cried, prayed, laughed, and played with the kids and their families. Moms, dads, grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, and uncles were all touched by the love of Christ. We ventured into rooms of kids whose parents could not be at the hospital and loved on them. We held children and made crafts and talked about the hope we have in Christ. We really connected with a couple of families. It was a great night.
We have the awesome opportunity to do it again tomorrow night on 7 West at Kosair Children's Hospital. And we need tons of prayer.
Even though we had a great night on Tuesday, this week has been tough for our team. I know that I have had a hard week, as have many of our volunteers. As I tried to figure out why, it dawned on me that perhaps this is spiritual warfare. What we are doing is making a difference and it is creating waves.
We are doing more than throwing parties; we are engaging in a battle for hearts and lives for the Kingdom of God.
And so I'm asking you all to please, please, please continue praying for our ministry. Pray extra hard for our team as we prepare for tomorrow night. Here are the specific requests that I posted last week:
- That God will provide enough toys, parent baskets, food, and Bibles for our party.
- For our volunteers - for wisdom and discernment as they interact with the families; that the Holy Spirit would guide their words and their actions so that they are able to share the love of Christ and serve in a way that reflects Him
- For the parents - for peace, comfort, hope, encouragement, and strength.
- For the siblings - for peace, comfort, hope, encouragement, and strength.
- For the patients - for peace, comfort, hope, encouragement, courage, and complete earthly healing.
- For all involved in the medical care of these children - for wisdom, guidance, discernment, compassion, and peace.
- That all who encounter Break the Grey in some way will be blessed by the love and hope of Jesus Christ.
- That God would continue to open doors and bless us with opportunities to share the hope, comfort, healing, peace, and encouragement of Jesus Christ with these families
- That any and all glory, honor, and praise attributed to Break the Grey would be God's and God's alone.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual force of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand, therefore, having fastened the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." - Ephesians 6:10-20
This passage reminds me that it is in His strength - God's strength - that we are able to do anything at all. Thanks be to God. The bold part reminds me to keep on praying and fighting for the hearts and lives of the families with whom we will encounter. Please pray that our team will utilize wisdom and discernment, but will be bold and courageous as we seek to proclaim the gospel with our words and our actions.
May we love hard and love well as we advance the Kingdom.
Hoping, Believing, and Never Giving up,
Sarah
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