Little Kids

On Wednesday we all had our community outreaches to different places. The group I am a part of goes to an elementary school every Wednesday to help tutor little kids. This was my first time to be at the school and man was it fun. I got to work with 1st graders for about 2 hours. We got to help them with reading and writing, and also cutting and gluing. Oh man do I miss the days of cut and glue! The days when you wore shoes on the wrong feet and had no idea, had a booger hanging out of your nose and could of cared less.

It was honestly a lot of fun and very rewarding to be able to invest in these little kids. At first I was kind of thinking okay you know all that I am going to do is help them and then leave and that's the end of it. And I kind of had this attitude of like am I really going to help them at all? But about half way through our time of being in class. We had one project where the kids were supposed to draw their family and then color the pictures in and write sentences about the pictures. I'll be honest, those kids could draw! I was really surprised at how quick and easy it was for them. Anyways, At one point this kid was drawing himself and his brother and he gave himself a sword in one hand. And so when I saw that drawing I was like hey can I draw you a sword in the other hand? At first he didn't want to let me but then he said okay sure. So I drew this cool looking sword. Then a couple students gathered around and said "Draw me one draw me one" And so I ended up drawing about 6 more swords, 2 battle axes, a couple shields, a dagger, a couple knights will full gear and a samurai sword. The drawings were not even good, but to them they were amazing! One kid said he was going to go home and show his mom what I drew for him.

I found a common ground to relate to these kids and they were all so excited about my drawings. It was so awesome! As soon as I finished drawing for them it was time to leave and as we were walking out the doors a few little kids came and held my hand and wanted to walk with me as I left. So I had to tell them no and that I would see them next week. They all wanted hugs and said goodbye the entire way down the hall. It was the cutest thing ever.

It was so amazing to be able to invest in these kids that will someday be leaders and teachers and parents and make an impact on this world.

Don't get me wrong some of them were a pain in the butt. 2 of them were fighting during reading punching and tackling each other, another kid was running out into the hall and then falling on purpose to see how far he could skid on the floor. Others were running from end to end of the room constantly. And it was hard to keep them under control, but it was worth it and fun!

I am really looking forward to going back next week even though I will have new class. I was asked by our contact to go and work with kindergarten kids. I told her Heck Ya! Even better! So all that to say, I love little kids and I think we as people have a lot to learn from them as well. To see their Faith and Trust in us as adults even if they don't know us well is really a parallel to Child Like faith in God. How much more should we trust God and we know him very intimately. I encourage us all to take time out of busy days and try and invest in others. Little kids at Elementary school or even our neighbor next door. it is worth it and you will be more than blessed by stepping out!

-Nick

DTS SEPTEMBER 2009!

Aloha Everyone! Mahalo for reading my blog hope you enjoy,

Okay so I have been here in YWAM Honolulu for a solid month now and I am so excited for what God is doing. I am currently staffing DTS and the students have been here for 1 week. Us as staff have been together for 3 weeks now meeting and praying and getting to know one another and it has been amazing. 

To commend these students. They are all hungry for God and they are all in a place in their lives where they are learning how to get intimant with the Lord and they are also learning how to fully surrender to him. 

They are also very honest and open and bold and when you ask any of them a question they get real and don't hold back. it is so awesome!

I feel like all these staff here are my friends and I can truly trust each of them. We as staff are raising the bar as far as seeking God. We have strong acountability and we are seeking God hard and running to him daily! God is using our fire for him and he is pouring it onto the students! 

Personally I am in a place where God is my best friend, he is my everything, he is my identity and my passion he is consuming me to the depths. 

I invite the Lord to everything I do and try and include him in the little things. 

I am learning how to REST. Normally I am a busy man and don't know how to say no but i am learning how to say nope!

one thing God told me as a leader is, "Seek me hard and passionately and as you do that bring these students along side.

the past 2 months that i got to spend at home God showed me my pride, fear, insecurity and he is working me through each of those things daily. I feel like i am so much stronger in my character and identity. I feel like a true man of God and I am happy with who God made me to be. I feel so strong in the Lord that no matter what Life brings me and God will conquer!

 And whats cool is last night the lord re assured my heart and said to me "Nick, there is no circumstance that this life can bring that will keep me from loving and pursuing you" 

How great is our God you guys? 

His love is a powerful thing. I pray that you would catch fire for him and let your life be only about glorifying God and thats it! 

- Nick Triola