love extended <strong>Spring</strong>/<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2023</strong> EXTENDING LOVE EXTENDED: FAIR
thrive-magazine.ca thrive / 15 THE LOVE OF CHRIST THROUGH DISCIPLINE: PROJECT AMIRA by Denise Wicks What does the word “love” mean to you? So often, society’s message is that love is all the good, happy, “you do you” things you can do for another person. For me, there is no better example of how wrong that message is than parenting. Is it loving to permit my two little boys to eat candy all day? Or watch TV until their eyeballs fall out? How about permitting my older son to leave for school without his snow pants on when it’s -10 degrees Celsius outside because he doesn’t like how constricting they are? No way! Proverbs is full of instruction on the importance of discipline. I love how Proverbs 22:6 (ESV) says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” I find it incredibly reaffirming as I try to live out my identity as a Christ-follower in my parenting. It reminds me that as a mother, my job is to train my sons, just as their job is to absorb this training, practice it within the safe space of our family, and then to go out in the world equipped to put this training to good use. The best way to extend the love of Christ to my children is to discipline them — to help them practice Godly living in family, societal, and spiritual contexts. Just as the Lord has blessed me with the responsibility of coaching my boys, our Fellowship Child Sponsorship Program ministries are blessed with the opportunity to impact many young lives. Yes, there is the provision of humanitarian aid in the form of food, shelter, healthcare, education, etc., but there is another layer. Despite the lack of biological connection, the missionaries and staff connected to this program play the role of parent and coach in the same way I do. Karim Anayssi, one of our Fellowship International missionaries, recently shared a story with me that showcased this intersection of parenting, coaching, and humanitarian work: “Last year, Amira * joined us at Cedar Home. Amira grew up without discipline and authority. She lived a life of chaos, becoming a rebellious child unaccepting of guidance or direction. She had no respect for God, and made fun of His Word during Bible study or prayer. “The first three months of Amira’s life at Cedar home were extremely difficult. She would not abide by the rules, constantly argued and fought with her house mom, and was spreading a culture of rebellion. “Something needed to change. It was clear Amira needed extra love and attention. As a team, we gathered all our know-how for ‘Project Amira’. The house mom was the leader, but the girls were involved as well. Her house mom planned a daily schedule and involved her roommates in making sure Amira followed through on her assigned responsibilities. “For six months, Amira consumed the majority of our focus before she started to ‘get it’ — that we love her; that she is precious; and that she is part of a family that has authority figures who love her and, because of that, lovingly discipline her. “Now Amira is a completely different child. She finds comfort and joy in the reality that an adult is protecting her, providing for her needs and coaching her through life. Amira is learning that authority is a good thing. Her perspective has changed because of the practical love and guidance shown by her housemother and “sisters”. “Since its start in 1950, Cedar Home has been serving its girls by providing shelter, food, education, and emotional and medical care — but it’s through faithful mentorship and coaching that we see sustainable change. Many of the girls, like Amira, have never experienced being part of a functional family. One of the greatest gifts we can give them is to model Christ by walking with them through the mess of life and not give up on them. That is where the magic of the ministry happens!” * Name has been changed to protect privacy. — Denise Wicks is a FAIR Projects and Promotion Coordinator.
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