THRIVE Spring Summer 2023

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.