It was just a few days ago. I drive our van, as I normally do each day, over to the school to pick up our students. Seems like a typical day. Well…
A “typical” day for us is filled with all things “un-typical” and today is going to be one of “those” days.
It’s a funny thing when the things that we consider ‘regular’ are disrupted by the irregular. The slow work of God is about to show up in an amazing way.
As the kids file into the van, the noise level increases as it always does. All the kids want my attention and the air is filled with all of the stories from the day’s events.
“Phil, Phil, Phil… Um, I got a sticker today because my teacher said I did good.”, says Madison. She continues, “lot’s of the other kids didn’t get one because they weren’t good.”
Story after story pour through the airwaves of the van and my mind races to catch all of them but I am sure I only heard a few. Then the slow work of God shows up.
One of our students, Lamont, gets into the front seat of the van as he normally does. We exchange the typical “what’s up/how was your day” words to one another. I notice that he has his black history project rolled up with a big old rubber band around it.
As I am listening to one of the other students tell me a story from the day, I see Lamont taking the rubber band off his project and he begins to unroll it. I am watching him as he stares at the project. By this time the story that the other student was telling me is fading into the distance. Lamont has a look about him. Then it happens.
Lamont says, “Phil”, as if to grab the attention that he already had.
I reply, “yeah, what’s up.”
Lamont doesn’t speak another word but bends down the corner of his project to show me something. It’s a grade. Specifically a 90%.
The slow work of God has once again invaded the space that I am occupying.
I simply said to him, “Lamont, I can’t tell you how proud I am of you and all you are doing. How does that feel?”
Lamont replies with a grin, “great.”
Just a few short years before this point Lamont was on track to become a statistic. You know… one of those that never amounts to something so we create a chart about it, pass laws about it and never really change it sort of statistics.
Reading and basic math skills at the age of 10 were not in his ballpark. Heck, they weren’t even in the parking lot of the ballpark.
Oh the powerful, slow work of God.
Persistent love breaks through all things no matter how hard the core.
Just a few short years later, fractions, reading and more are all part of Lamont’s design but it wasn’t until the slow work of God really changed it all.
That slow work of God is apparent in every one of our students. It sometimes shows up in really big ways and other times it peaks through in something small.
In a world where we try to quantify everything with numbers and data, it is nice to sit back and see the visible manifestation of a really big God disrupting a kids life with His slow work.
17 Responses
Congratulations, Lamont! I am so proud of you!!!!!!!!!
Incredible story! Thank you for sharing , and for sharing your heart!!
You are welcome
It is so encouraging to hear this and many other stories you post. Thank you for sharing. We pray for you and your ministry daily. It’s nice to see what’s happening and to get specific things to pray for! So inspiring!
Way to go, Lamont. We are so proud of you and the hard work you are doing. Great job!
Love reading about the real, personal, slow work you are doing with God.
Thanks!
Awesome Lamont-thanks for sharing Phil. You guys are doing such great work. You never know when just hearing or reading one of these great snippets of life, starts a slow work in one of us… (OK I mean me!)
You’re not alone! Thanks brother
LOVE this…
Keep on keeping on, Phil and Kym!!
Thanks Pam!
Lamont, you are such a SUCCESS story. I remember you when you were not doing so well!! Thank you for listening to Phil and Kym!! They truly are the hands, feet, voice and heart of God in Mound Bayou!!
Phil and Kym, you are truly the GREATEST!! Thank you and God bless you for making a HUGE difference in Mound Bayou with God’s special children. You are truly the GREATEST!!!
Love and prayers to all of you,
Our kids are the heroes in all of this because they push through obstacles that are presented to them because we show them that there is something greater on the other side. Grateful for you and your years of friendship Sister Donald Mary. We love you and all that you brought to our community for 14 years!
Thanks for sharing that story. It’s so great to hear how well Lamont is doing! We love reading your updates on these students!
Thanks Sandy
Way to go Lamont!!! Phil and Kym gave me your picture which I keep on my desk at home as a reminder to pray for you. Someday I would like to read your Black History project, but more importantly I would like to meet you and get to know you. You are loved by God, you are awesome and you are important!!!
Beautiful and amazing work Lamont! Keep using the amazing and abundant gifts which God Himself has given to you – you are His precious son and He loves you more than we can really even begin to understand. God has an amazing plan for you, and the hard work that you’re doing in school now will each day help you to fulfill the great ministry that God has in store for you. Your good example in school now is even a wonderful testimony example to your fellow students so keep it up and shine brightly for Him. Great work!