Kinship pleasing to the King
May 17
For centuries Christians have faithfully removed stones, plowed the field, and sown the seed of the Gospel. We are in a season of harvest. Not because of what we have done, but because the Lord moves in the hearts of people, perhaps based on our testimony and willingness to actually love our neighbor.
LHCC has embarked upon a new and exciting initiative in 2021. Something very special, even extraordinary, that we see as synergistic with our existing program service offerings. In short, it is our belief that people generally want to love their neighbor, make an impact and build relationships across cultures all across the city. We are referring to the launch of our new Kinship initiative. Click here to learn more. We believe that mutually fulfilling cross-cultural relationships are the recipe for joy and happiness in the lives of our team members, volunteers and program recipients.
LHCC has been providing scholastic, spiritual, and social support to students and their families since July 2012 through homework assistance programs, enrichment activities, summer camps, and family stabilization services. We have learned that the most effective and helpful vehicle for change is mutually beneficial relationships which are based on trust and mutual respect. Each party beings something of value to the relationship, and each receives something of value. We know that a hand up is better than a hand out; even better are hands together, working to achieve a common goal. This is the essence of Kinship. Kinship that is pleasing to the King and king of kings.
During COVID-19, out of necessity, we pivoted away from our traditional programs and took some new approaches to serving our students and their families, including support of on-line learning and food support. We were able to provide income to one of our families by utilizing their home-based catering services to provide meals in for our families in addition to meals from CMS and other charities.
In closing, I’d like to share a reminder from the apostle Paul that we “were in darkness, but now we are the light in the Lord. Live as children of light” Ephesians 5:8. This verse means taking an interest in the well being of others, conforming to God’s standards, not the ways of the world and following the truth of scripture. It’s a testimony of goodness, righteousness and truth. That’s also the essence of kinship and of loving our neighbors as ourselves.
Our next blog post will focus on just such a picture of mutuality, between an eighty something year young lady, her pups and friends and our students, and what binds them together.
Until next time,
Brent M
February 2021
