The dictionary defines passion as “a strong or extravagant enthusiasm or desire for anything”.  I would say that I am passionate about many of the things to which I devote my time, but over the past year one passion has begun to stand out to me.  That passion is my gift and love for children.  I believe that God gives every person one or more talents, and it is our purpose in life to find a way to use those talents to glorify Him. 

Last summer I went on a mission trip with my church youth group to an Indian Reservation in Arizona.  We spent a week running kids’ clubs and sports camps, and generally loving on the children and sharing God’s love with them.  When the week came to an end, I didn’t want to leave.  Over that week I had become attached to many of the children who lived on the reservation, and I wished I could stay with them forever.  The week of that mission trip was one of the most fulfilling times of my life, and I came home with a resolution to seek out a place where I could work to form real and long-lasting relationships with children in my community who could use a positive influence in their lives.  If God has gifted me with something, I believe it is important for me to use that gift in any way possible.  That’s how I found Jubilee.

I live in Waco, Texas, and though there are many wealthy families in the Waco vicinity, most of them live in the suburbs.  Approximately 30 percent of the people who live in Waco proper live below the poverty line.  An outreach program called Mission Waco sponsors several ministries around the city to help those in need.  One of their outreaches is called Jubilee, an after-school program for students of an elementary school in inner city Waco.  Two days a week I go to Jubilee and volunteer my time with the kids.   I play games with them, read books, help with homework, or help prepare the meal we serve them right before they go home. 

When I arrive at Jubilee each Tuesday and Thursday, most of the kids have already come from school and are playing outside.  For forty-five minutes I play tag, swing the jump rope, make sure no one falls off while climbing trees, and push kids on the swings.  The kids then split into classes, and I am responsible for supervising one of the classes.  Sometimes I do sports with some kids outdoors, and sometimes I help the older children build their model cars.    My favorite class time activity is helping the kindergarten boys (there are no kindergarten girls this year) color and do puzzles.  

My arm was exhausted; swinging the jump rope for thirty minutes was taking a toll, but I kept smiling and swinging. This time it was Charles’ turn to jump, and I just assumed he would know how to do it.  However, when I swung the jump rope, and he jumped a foot off the ground and landed on top of it, I realized my assumption was wrong.  Frustration filled Charles’ expression, and he crossed his arms and began to walk away.  “Charles try again! You almost had it that time.  I know you can do it again; just try one more try, okay?”  I cried after him.  Charles slowly turned around and walked back to the jump rope.  I began to swing the jump rope again and Charles’ face screwed up with concentration.   “Cinderella, dressed in yellow, went upstairs to kiss her fellow.  Made a mistake, kissed a snake.  How many doctors did it take?  One, two, three…”  Charles jumped high, kept moving to the left, and eventually jumped right into the path of the rope.  That was okay though, because he had jumped successfully.  I looked at Charles’ grin and was reminded of the satisfaction found in small things.

                The story above perfectly represents what my volunteer experience at Jubilee is accomplishing.   I am helping kids take small steps that will eventually lead to big changes.  Helping Charles try again after he has failed and discover he can be successful teaches a lesson vital to helping him grow into a confident adult.  I cannot lose perspective and become disappointed by not seeing big changes; I must remember how important the little things can be. Whether helping Jazmine build her model car, encouraging the kindergarteners when they color inside the lines, or helping Mario through his math homework, my impact is helping the children grow in confidence, and confidence is often built in small steps.

The most difficult part of this volunteer position is seeing the difference I make.  Although spending time with the kids can be very fun, sometimes I wonder if “making fun” really impacts their lives.  My purpose in being there is to in some way make a significant positive difference in some child’s life. Despite my doubts, I do believe that in some way God is using me to make a difference in some child’s life, even if I don’t ever see the effects of my efforts personally. For now, I find joy in the smiles that come to their faces when I “lose” to them in connect four or the hugs I get as they leave for the day.  I am striving to show them that someone in this world really is there for them, and I am working to be a consistent friend, someone they know they can trust. 

My involvement in Jubilee will end in less than a year when I leave Waco to attend college, and I know I will miss the children terribly.  However, Mission Waco is a long-standing organization, and its effect on the children will continue long past my volunteer work.  My impact will remain in the small ways I helped the kids grow, as well as in my prayers for the organization’s work and the kids.  I do hope to find a program similar to Jubilee near the college I attend.  My experience with the children at Jubilee is already something I will never forget, and I hope to continue using my gift and love for children wherever I am in whatever way I can.