Another week at By The Hand

I apologize for not writing for a few weeks. Things have been pretty busy lately. However, you'll be happy to know that this week went pretty well. I think that the kids are starting to get the hang of how I do things. I'm gaining their respect (at least most of them) which is great. We've even been able to do a few games and fun activities, which we haven't been able to do because of behavior problems.

I think that I'm also simply getting used to the kids and I'm able to be much more calm in frustrating situations (I'm not great at it yet, but I'm getting there). Yesterday, for example, quite a few of my kids were not listening when we were supposed to line up. With God's help, I was able to deal with the situation calmly, without causing further frustration for myself and the kids.

On a different note, school progress reports came out this week. We got a chance to see the kids' grades before the actual report cards come out. There are only a few weeks until report cards, and at least half of my kids have at least one F (mostly in Reading). Several kids have 2-3 Fs and/or other Ds. Please pray that these kids can bring these grades up before report cards come out in a couple weeks. Pray that I'll know how to best help them in the program. It was a bit discouraging to see quite a few of the kids I thought were doing well actually having Fs on their progress report.

On the upside, a number of kids I thought were doing very poorly were actually getting all As, Bs, and Cs!

Thanks again for your prayers and support. Here are a few upcoming events for which you can be praying.

Tonight, Oct. 16—Junior high party

Saturday, Oct .17—Pumpkin carving day at Park Community Church put on by the volunteers of my class and the 1^st grade class

Friday, Oct. 30—Hallelujah Carnival at Park Community Church for all of the Cabrini-Green By The Hand kids.

Please pray that we are able to build deeper relationships for the kids. Pray for logistics and safety, and pray that at these events, we will be able to share God's love with these kids.