Welcome to Central Wesleyan

From our Kids, from our Tutors, from our Pastors, from our Educators

Story of the Week

When I made the choice to volunteer for Kid's Hope this year, I was under the assumption that I would be able to meet with my student after I got out of work at 5 p.m. in the afternoon. I don't know why I thought this, but I did. It was when I was going throught the training when I found out that the times to meet with our students was during school hours. This was going to be a big problem for me with work. My company usually does not allow for employees to take time off during their shifts to participate in personal activities outside of work. When I arrived at work Monday moring I was really procrastinating sending an e-mail to my Region Manager to ask permission to do Kids Hope. I procrastinated so long that I never sent him the e-mail that Monday and was pretty much thinking I was just going to e-mail Steve and tell him that this was not a possiblility for me to do, since (in my mind) our company would not allow me to take the time off during business hours to pursue personal commitments.

When I came to work Tuesday morning, I saw a hand-written note on my computer from Kris. She cleans our Service Center in the evening and had noticed my Kids Hope bag sitting on my chair. I am not sure why I had brought the bag into my office on Monday, but I did, and what is really out of character is leaving this in the office overnight. But, there it was sitting on my chair, and Kris notced the bag. She wrote me this incredible note "Noticed your kids Hope Bag. Thanks! My son was 8 when my husband died, got him involved with Kids Hope and they helped us through some tough years. He's a confident 13-year-old football player now. Actually, my husband was on life support the last 6 years of his life and Kids Hope was there for all 3 of our boys. Great organization!"

When I read this note, I knew it was God telling me to send an e-mail to my Region Manager asking for authorization to take time off and be a tutor. I knew it was going to be OK. I sent him a short e-mail and he sent me back the OK to do Kids Hope. I have to say that this was the first time I really knew God was talking to me. That was Him saying that this was what He wanted me to do and it was going to be alright. My first meeting with my student went great. I really had a geat time with him and feel this was God bringing us together. Needless to say, I really have a special place for him in my heart.

God is Great!!!!

I look forward to building a wonderful relationship with Jovanie as we meet once a week to grow together. You could say that this was a friendship made in heaven. At least I think it was.

Dave Hanson

Marcia's Story
The teacher was very clear about Marcia's need: "This third grader's mother abandoned the family. So now it's Marcia, her father, and her two brothers at home. She needs a woman in her life."

Miss Sara, the KIDS HOPE USA mentor, became the woman in Marcia's life. Sensing that Marcia would be expected to assume more and more big-girl responsibilities in her motherless home, Miss Sara set out to help this child experience and enjoy what it meant to be a little girl. Together, they focused on "girl things." She and Marcia talked about girl things, read girl books and giggled like schoolgirls. They also decided to wear the same color on the day they meet.

So when you walk beside Miss Sara and Marcia, don't be surprised to find both of them giggling together and wearing pink together. That's what girls do.

A Staff Story

Patricia, a staff person at VanRaalte, indicated that her husband saw a group of people praying on a Sunday afternoon at the school. "He came home and told me what he saw and we thought that was so wonderful. Was that your church?" After telling her it was, Patricia expressed a heartfelt "Thank you!"

A Student's Story:

It was late in the summer when the mentor took his KIDS HOPE USA friend out for an ice cream treat. The mentor had promised this treat to celebrate Raymie's graduation from second grade. Still recovering from the violent murder of his father, Raymie needed to hear good things about himself.

Mentor and child thoroughly enjoyed their time at a make-your-own sundae bar. The mentor chose only fruit toppings, but the child tried everything except fruit on his sundae. Candy bits, gummy bears, chocolate chips-you name it, and Raymie piled it on his sundae.

Near the end of their time together, the mentor asked Raymie to share the high-point of his summer. Raymie paused. "My favorite time was getting ice cream with you."

A Teacher's Story:

My husband is a teacher at Van Raalte Elementary. He called me yesterday at work after receiving his gift from his adopted family for his classroom. He was so excited about his "Christmas in August". Last night we finally connected back at home after busy days for both of us at 9 p.m. He talked to me about this "tub of goodies" for 30 minutes non-stop. As we worked on some projects for his Open House tonight he just continued sharing with me how it all happened yesterday at work and what he received and what others received. He was so blessed! When he talked to me about it he got tears in his eyes more than once! Thank you for caring for the Van Raalte teachers! It is one of the few times in his many years of education that someone has made him feel so valued as a teacher!! I'm not sure you will ever know or understand how much this meant to this building of people.

The family that adopted him is Jack and Sue Pickaart. Jack was our son's 6th grade teacher in Zeeland. Ron and Jack also work together at The Meadows golf course in the summer. This meant so much to Ron as well.

I'm sure Ron will send his own thanks, but as his wife who knows how hard it has been for the Holland teachers/schools......I just wanted to thank you for making his day, for helping him to feel valued, for being a blessing. He told me and others last night that this "gift" has been, by far, one of the best things that has happened to him in his 31 years of teaching. Ron told Jack last night that saying thank you doesn't seem like enough....he is right. But THANKS for caring and sharing God's love - we have been touched!

As Pastor Paul says: "That's the CHURCH at Work"


Our Mission: KIDS HOPE USA builds caring relationships...one child, one hour, one church, one school.

© KIDS HOPE USA, PO Box 2517, Holland, MI 49422-2517