Connecting with a child

Mr. Richard is one of our dedicated listeners at AWANA. Since the first night of AWANA one of my second grade girls, Mya, has connected with Mr. Richard. Mya does not come to church on Sunday mornings but only comes on Wednesday nights. Mya talks very little about her family and only comes to AWANA due to a friend. She is hungry for the WORD and seems like an empty bowl ready to be filled. When it is time for handbook time she goes straight to Mr. Richard. He does more then listen. He explains the WORD, helps her find her verse in her Bible and pours her full of love and attention. Every week I ask for volunteers to pray for our prayer request. No one ever wants this task! Well one week Mr. Richard was not there because he was in the hospital. Mr. Don and I informed the girls that he was sick with heart trouble and needed our prayers. When I asked for volunteers to pray I saw Mya raise her hand. Then she prayed the sweetest prayer, asking God to be with "my friend, Mr. Richard." The adults present that night were all in tears. You see Mr. Richard had done more then listen to verses. He had connected with a child in a way that glorifies God.