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Nikki has been a part of our lives for 2 years now. Moving here from Maryland last winter she longed to fit in, and to have a place where she belonged. God’s work in her life is evident.  Life has not been easy by any means and as she takes on more of an adult role in her home and struggles between acting “grown” and wanting to be a carefree teenager. Her smile will brighten the room and her laugh is contagious! She traveled with us to Nicaragua last Spring Break and since then has become more and moreinvolved at Grace and with the youth group.

School seemed to be one frustration after another for Nikki. As she was between grades, because her former high schools credits didn’t coincide with her new schools. As a senior this year she continues tocome to Tutoring. Her tutors encourage her along the way, mostly giving her the confidence to set out and each for her dream. The spark for further education was lit and Nikki set out with determination to do everything in her power to achieve her goals, not being embarrassed to ask for help when she needed it.

It all paid off this past Friday! It was after 9pm and I got a call, it was Nikki. “Ms. Suzanne!!!!!” she shouted in my ear. “I got in I got accepted to A&T” (North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University) It was my first choice and I got in can you BELIEVE IT?!”  The Joy in her voice and pep the in her step, sings of God’s faithfulness! Congratulations Nikki our first ever student accepted to College! We are just busting with Thanksgiving to our Savior and Pride at Nikki’s accomplishment!
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Traditionally the Glenwood Camp has been a fast-paced affair, filled with places to be and things to do. We have visited major cities like Atlanta, GA and Washington, DC and tried to soak in as much of the history and culture as we could in a four-day time frame. This year, due to budget limitations, we took a more laid back approach, trading in hotels and big cities for a rustic campground in eastern NC. Going into the week I thought we had a recipe for disaster with no AC, lots of bugs, and not as many things to do and places to be. Our theme for the week was “Pirates” and visions of a possible mutiny crossed my mind.

            Instead, what we received was a tremendous gift from God. Camp wasn’t flashy or fast-paced, but it offered plenty of time and space, which, as it turns out, is just what the doctor ordered for our Glenwood youth. Time and space to play cards, swim in a lake, go fishing, shoot hoops, and watch one of the four snakes that crossed our path during the week. Time and space for daily small groups centered on Bible passages that related to their lives. Time and space to rest and enjoy being away from the things in life that crowd their hearts and minds.

            As kids let their guard down, there were very real conversations about faith and forgiveness, about the role of God in our everyday life, and a path for the kids of our neighborhood to be a part of our church’s youth program was made clearer and more open because of the relationships developed with the adult volunteers. Seeds of love were truly sown, and hearts were changed.

 

(Excerpt Taken From Marshall Benbow’s  Intervarsity Newsletter)
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The Glenwood Tutoring Program exists to break cycles of poverty and hopelessness in the lives of families in Glenwood and surrounding neighborhoods.