In April of last year we took the kids on an overnight camping trip at Brother Vern's house.  It was the first time for many of them to be away from their parents and be hanging out with friends for an entire weekend.  I cannot put into words how much fun I had that weekend.  Yes, it was exhausting; yes, it was trying on the nerves, and yes, I could have been a billion other places with people my own age.  But given the chance--I would not exchange that weekend for any other.  I learned so many things about each of those kids and got to see them in a completely different persona than when they were with their parents at church or elsewhere.  At the same time, these kids have gotten to know me and now we share a bond of love and friendship that they openly express whenever they see me.  Which is a constant reminder of what a little attention and interest in a child's life can do for their self-confidence and personal relationship with you.

     Working with God's Army in their endeavor to rejuvenate the communities and reach out to help people attain the things they need has given me ample opportunities to tap into and develop a lot of skills I never knew I had.  I have also gained so many precious lessons about what it means to be courageous, to exhibit strength in the course of adversity, and to stand proudly as a leader before people who are seeking someone who is willing to stickout their hand and lend them a little relief.  Because God's Army has set the standard for themselves to be this way, I have also been led in that same direction, and this has enriched my sense of values and my outlook on what itruly is important.  I have joined a family of committed, loving, unselfish soldiers who have made many sacrifices to march in this war against poverty and I am eternally grateful to have enlisted in this army."