My grand kids love skipping rocks – or at least trying to. For the ones who don’t quite have the hang of it, the next best thing is tossing rocks into the water. The bigger the rock, the bigger the splash, the greater the excitement and the bigger the ripples that extend way beyond where the rock hit the water.
Every day we toss rocks into the water of our relationships and put ripples into motion. Some for good, some for, well, not so good. The picture shows a rock and ripples. This is an RPM child-care worker volunteer. The time, love, and attention she gives those kids are rocks tossed into the waters of their experience. Because she is there to help us provide free childcare those kids are in the room. Because those kids can be in the room, their parents can be in our classrooms learning English or computer skills.
Because the parents are learning and improving their English, they are better equipped to break the cycles of poverty and prejudice for themselves and their future generations. They are better prepared to navigate the path to citizenship and build on the added stability and security that brings to them and their children.
In addition, both the children and their parents are a part of our RPM community where we provide both literacy and the love of Jesus, touching hearts and minds together. So, from one volunteer the ripples go out – multiple children, multiple families, multiple generations – extending way past the point of initial impact, producing results that will only be completely measured in eternity.
Jesus said, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt 5:16). As a faith-based ministry we have the freedom to link our good works back to God as the giver of all good things. The result is comments like the following from our students and clients:
• “I am grateful to God for RPM because here I met so many lovely people.”
• “My dream is to one day be an English teacher in a ministry.”
• “I give thanks to God for RPM for all the help and support I’ve received.” (From a woman who just got her residency (green) card late this summer).
I’m grateful and humbled every day by the support we receive from churches, foundations, and individuals who support our work both financially and through volunteer service. I also thank Jesus for the faith and resilience of our students and clients. These men and women move with courage and grace through difficult and turbulent times. All of us here at RPM appreciate your prayers for us and for the at-risk families we serve.
Together, we are seeing God at work, transforming lives using literacy and the love of Jesus.
Joel B Groat
Executive Director
Office: 616.475-5881
Email: Joel@rpmins.org
We currently need a large-screen TV on a cart to use with our ESL classrooms. Feel free to call or write me if you have ways to help us get one or two of these.
Explore creative ways to donate your money, time, and other stuff.
