In October, 2011, we added a family of 4 sisters and an older brother. The oldest girl in the group, D, was 13 and the next oldest C was 10. The brother J was 16.
They would have cousins from Oklahoma join us on occasion, but those 5 were the steady ones.
Very quickly D became the “straw boss “ of the entire group of 23 children we had. D had a loud commanding projected voice that could peel paint off an old truck, so she helped keep the other children in line.
For all of that, she also had a kind and loving heart.
I will always remember one incident that showed her inner Christian strength. We were at a crowded Sunday afternoon McDonalds after church and I had all 23 children present. The children had all their gear scattered over 3 tables.
Then a young couple came in with their 1 year old to celebrate his birthday that day. they were young and poor and could not afford any other birthday venue other than McDonalds.
But it was so crowded that they could only find one open table for the birthday cake and the family.
D saw this problem and then promptly, on her own initiative, moved our groups gear in one very big pile onto one table, freeing up 2 tables for the young couple and their birthday party.
I was very proud of D and informed the young family of D’s good heart… D was embarrassed by the attention.
I later complimented D in front of the other children and told them that D had shown that ministry is by deeds as well as words. That young couple would always remember the act of kindness and that it came from a Sister in Christ.