What it means to be a life sponsor

Mentoring a group of teenagers is a huge commitment. Its not something that anyone can do for a couple of weeks and then let go. I praise anyone who takes on the challenge. Whether teens express how much they enjoy your attention and willingness to donate your free time, more often they will expose their real emotions when you say "good-bye." When you tell them that you have moved on to other avenues and pursue other riches in life. You will see their hearts break as they realize you will no longer be a part of their life... unless... if you are life sponsor.

Being a life sponsor is not a semester or seasonal obligation. Its something that you challenge yourself to, not knowing what the future will hold, but knowing you are in it for the long haul. There will be obstacles that you have never thought of, memories created that will be unforgettable, traditions created, life and relationships established, all based from the commitment you are willing to give. Whether you love the kid or hate the kid, you have made a commitment to help them in their journey in life... forever. Life sponsorship, guaranteed to be the biggest challenge you will ever take and the largest reward you can ever dream of.

Time Spent Elsewhere

After writing the last blog, I began surfing. I ran across another blog Paul is Dead at modesty.blogspot.com, talking about the time we spent and how we spend it. After doing some research, I learned that Americans spend 3-4 hours watching TV. The research went on to say that even though TV provides great entertainment and is an easy babysitter, children are likely to have lower grades, read fewer books, exercise less and be overweight. With technology increasing, I can only imagine that these statistics have only grown. TVs are installed in nearly every room in every household; kitchens, bathrooms, showers, even cars. Making TV more accessible than ever before.

Instead of bashing TV like its the root of all evil, let me encourage parents who are having a difficulties controlling their kids with the remote in their hand.

-Parents, take charge. Make rules that can be measurable (i.e. the number of TV programs or the number of hours that can be watched.)
-Select deligated times that are used for watching TV (i.e. weekends only, only after dinner)
-Involve yourself in watching TV with your children... you may not be able to watch your favorite ball game, but at least you will know what your children are being influenced by.
-If you are up for a challenge, once a week have a night that is designed to watch a movie (not a TV show but a movie)... sit down without commercials, laugh and talk throughout the movie. Make it mandatory for teens.

Time well spent

Time is arguably the most important thing in a child's life. Of all the the youth programs that I have been involved in, I tell people the most rewarding aspect of any program is the long term relationships that I have built. This is only possible with the time that you are willing to give. Very similar to Warren Buffett's strategy of sustaining money by compound interest, the valuable element of any compounding interest formula is TIME. Time spent with youth has been the most impactful element of any good up bringing. Unfortunately in modern era, time is limited with our busy schedules and will be the biggest sacrifice that a youth worker has to make. Things like vacation, leisure time, and perhaps your finances will not be yours any longer. There will be things that will be more appealing, more adventorous, more fun than mentoring a kid. In order to overcome this, priories must be set. Luxorious priorities are replaced by camping trips, ball games, going to the beach, road trips, or simply hanging out. Fortunately for you, when you replace your priorities you don't walk away without anything. Your tight fisted priorities are replaced with unforgettable memories. When a children is asked to recall their favorite pastime... they will say when my parents took me to the park, or my coach stayed late to teach me how to bunt, or when my youth pastor bought us donuts every Sunday morning. For you and your child time is memories gained or memories lost... use it wisely.

Fundraiser Idea

This past week has been busy with our life group. Our life groups have 3 big summer trips that we plan for every year. Although these trips are fun and adventurous for the kids, it is can be a financial burden for the ones who have to pay for it. Our life groups get together every year to raise money for those who can't afford the trips. Our biggest fundraiser event is the annual garage sale. People who belong to the community don't mind donating old stuff that they don't use anymore. Over the years, people have given up their valuable CDs, washers, dryers, televisions, hammocks, lawnmowers, DVD players, golf clubs and many other things that would not believe. You would be surprised to see how many people will even buy an appliance and donate their old appliance. You can make money two-fold! The leaders supervise the event as a whole, but the kids are the ones who organize, make the sale, and sharpen their business skills to raise the money. This year we raised over $6,800!!!

For Bigger or Better

Here is a fun idea for fundraisers. Give each group of kids one dollar. Each group will start at one house and ask if they have something is bigger and better than their dollar. If they have something that is bigger than a dollar, you will trade them for that dollar. The group will then go to a second house, telling them that they are playing "For Bigger or Better" and that they started with a dollar, and got this object. Ask them if they have something that is bigger or better than what they have now. If they do, trade them for the new object. Continue this process until they are content with what they have. At the end, you can sell you object. You will be surprised with what you obtain. I have only played this game a handful of times, but in the past I have received golf clubs, kitchen supplies, gazebo, hot tub and even a functional car! You can then take your object, place it on ebay and see how much dough you make for your youth group.