This past week I have had the joy to see this second commandment demonstrated in the lives of HCA students. First, our JrHi girls VB team won their league tournament - Congratulation! But as excited as I was to hear of their success on the court, I was even more gratified to hear of their testimony off. I'll let their coach, Cara Fox, describe it for you:
What an incredible group of girls! I have never coached a team who meshed as well as they did. They were very hard workers, loved learning about the game and applying it to the way they played. They energy they had while they played was contagious. It was really neat to watch each girl offer something to the team. I was so proud of them at the tournament for several reasons. First off they played they best they had all season and they beat teams we hadn't ever beaten. I think the coolest part though was after we won the championship game one of the first things the girls said was "Can we go ask the other team if they want to pray with us?" It really showed me that those girls sure do have their priorities in line!
I heard later that one of the officials at the game observed that take place and was moved by that spirit. What a wonderful testimony of the heart of Jesus - loving your neighbor as yourself.
The second example came later in the week. You will remember that a week ago the East Coast was ravaged by Hurricane Sandy. Many remain without power, life's necessities (food, lodging, gasoline, etc.) remain in short supply, and relief efforts are struggling to keep up. One of our senior student leaders, Chris Earnshaw, came the office Thursday, burdened by a need do what we can do to show Christ's love to our "neighbors" on the East Cost. He spent the next 24 hours researching a variety of opportunities to partner with organizations and then, Friday afternoon, I "just happened" to take a call from Heart to Heart International (and Olathe-based international relief organization), asking if we would help with their relief efforts. Chris was next door talking with Rick Lukianuk and, within a few minutes, a plan was formed. The HCA family will be collecting items over the next five days to help fill care kits for Heart to Heart. (The said their have a critical need for handtowels, shampoo, and combs.) On Saturday, a group of HCA seniors is planning to go to the Heart to Heart warehouse in Kansas City to deliver our collected supplies and help assemble care packets. Loving your neighbor as yourself.
It is so gratifying to see that Jesus' words in Matthew 22 are not just a theme ... they are coming alive in our students' lives!
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