Good morning…
Opening the mail yesterday, I received a letter from my dad. As promised, he sent me a check from Ohio to support PAWkids, the non-profit ministry in inner city Atlanta with which I am actively involved. He sent a donation in honor of the three year old grandson of the Norwegian exchange student who stayed with our family in 1975 for her junior year of high school. Living in Norway, little Ludvig is battling cancer and for his third birthday his family encouraged toy donations to the hospital where he is being treated. With the complication of sending money overseas, my parents decided to send their donation to PAWkids in Ludvig’s honor instead. I am so grateful for my parents’ generous spirit, even in the midst of a challenging life season. (By the way, for those diligently praying for my parents, my mom was able to have her x-ray yesterday and her COVID symptoms seem to be improving. We are so grateful for your continued prayer support.)
My parents’ donation came at a perfect time. Today our written word ministry is partnering with PAWkids to provide a “welcome back” breakfast for the Kipp teachers as they prepare to serve the most at risk kids in our community. This morning’s celebration will be a lot like the Valentine’s Day party we hosted for the teachers in February.
“Hey Sue!” Larenzia, the director of the after school program at PAWkids, texted yesterday. “I’m thinking of a pancake bar. I’m ordering the pancakes from IHOP. The fruit toppings, bacon, orange juice and eggs will come from Publix. The total would be about $650. I have to feed 120 people. I definitely want to make sure each person can eat. We have lots of new teachers this year. I want the year to kick off well for them. Do you think a pancake bar would be a good idea?”
“That sounds great,” I texted back. “We can cover the cost. Please keep the receipts and I will write you a check. What time would you like me to arrive?”
“You can come at 7:40 to Kipp. Thank you!!!” she replied.
“Awesome. See you then!” I responded, looking forward to our fun pancake party.
Our joy multiplies as we realize that we serve God as we serve others. “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me'” (Matthew 25:40, NIV).
…Sue…
P.S. If you would like to join my parents in donating to our pancake party for Kipp teachers, hosted generously by the PAWkids staff, please touch on the “donate” link below. We will collect money in our PayPal account, designated “PAWkids pancake breakfast,” and will share it joyfully with Larenzia this morning at the school.
