Testimonies
Susan Watson
For the last two weeks, I have been working with Anna Lisa Price at The Corners, assisting with the daily activities that are held for the kids of that apartment complex. This past week was the first week of school for the kids, so the after-school tutoring program began. I helped kids with their homework, played games with them, talked with them, and helped them with the memory verse.
In working with Whirlwind Missions, my eyes were opened to the fact that it's not just the kids who need love and attention. More often than not, kids who have issues have parents who have issues. To understand the children, you also have to understand the parents and the home situation from which the children come. This aspect of working with the parents has been the main thing I have learned during the two weeks I have worked with Whirlwind Missions.
Working with Whirlwind gives hands-on, real life , practical experience for anyone who wants to work with inner-city kids. You live on-site, so you get the full experience of the neighborhood in which the kids live. You see the kids pretty much every day, which allows you to build some type of relationship with each child. You also get to know some of the parents, which helps in understanding the kids with whom you work. Many of the apartment complexes consist of international families, or families with an abusive parent, or families with alcoholic and/or drug addicted parents; this provides open ground for the Gospel to be shared. Many of the kids do not understand real love, so to be able to share the love of Christ with them is a blessing and a privilege. Working with Whirlwind Missions certainly puts you behind enemy lines!
Jason Thomas
Although I was only with Whirlwind Missions for two weeks, God impacted me in some amazing ways while I was here. I worked with the Assistant Director at Azalea Place, an apartment complex in Atlanta. I organized sports tournaments, played basketball with the kids, and helped them with their homework. I quickly realized that we were often the only positive parent figure in many of these kid's lives. Also, because so many of them are unchurched, we are their only method of learning about Christ.
I think that this is an incredible opportunity for those looking to work with international kids. There are lots of opportunities to get involved, even if you don't have lots of time, although working somewhere long term does have benefits. If you are a college student or a graduate who is looking to use sports to work with kids Whirlwind Missions provides a method to begin relationships with kids and a vehicle with which to begin your ministry.