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Reading, Cuddles, and Prayer

Written by Ann Elawa

December 10, 2013

In the heart of our city, in a neighbourhood where families face many financial and personal challenges, stands a very special school. With about one-third of its students being refugees and many others living with a single parent, you can imagine that a good number of the children have very little experience with being read to at home. Yet educators agree that being read to is vital preparation for learning to read for oneself. Breakthrough Prayer members asked God what He would have us do to bring God’s love into this situation. A program where Christian volunteers come into the school weekly to read with children, and are then able to pray for them and their families, was the vision God gave. But how would it happen?

Lorraine

Well, God had already prepared Lorraine, a Christian who was retiring after 12 years teaching at that very school. Organizing a “Read to Me” program was the perfect way for her to continue ministering to the students she loved, and she embraced the idea with a passion. She bought books, made up volunteer application forms, and liaised between the school and the potential volunteers. By late October, over 30 people had stepped up and each kindergarten and grade one student was enjoying 15 minutes of individual reading by a committed adult weekly. Lorraine was also organizing volunteers to begin providing 15 minutes of reading four times a week with older students who are facing particular reading challenges.

God had also prepared the perfect place for the program to run. The school had a classroom not in regular use which was gladly given for “Read to Me.” And as we began to ask God for furniture to make it comfortable and inviting, the Rotary Club got involved. One member donated furniture he was changing out from his business and the club also donated $1,000 which was used to buy a new couch, carpets and coffee tables. The space is now cozy and colourful, with books attractively displayed and spaces for three volunteer/student pairs to read at once.

Lorraine wrote to the volunteers after the first couple of weeks that, “the staff at [the school] is so impressed and excited about how this is going to help their students in so many ways.” We rejoice in how God is answering our inquiries about how to show his love in practical ways in this community.