Our oldest grandchild just turned nine this summer. He is inquisitive and bright and sometimes can talk you to death! But he and his brother, who is almost eight, are at a great age for grandparents to enjoy and to begin to influence for the kingdom of God.

Recently my husband was traveling to a speaking engagement and he decided to take these two grandsons and their dad with him. He knew he’d be busy with his preparations and work with the event, but he also thought they’d enjoy the trip and make a memory or two together. The topic of the conference was the needs of orphans in the world today.

Dennis reported to us later that it was without question the hardest venue for speaking he’d ever experienced in thirty years. There were reportedly 100,000 people in attendance (see http://www.lifelight.org/). The event was held in a field with everyone sitting on lawn chairs they had brought or standing around chatting with people with whom they’d come. And it was very windy. It was a loud and constantly moving audience without walls or boundaries to contain the sea of people. He wondered if anyone listened to a word he’d said.

On the plane trip on the way home came the answer to whether anyone at all heard. Little Samuel leaned over to his papa during the flight and said, “Papa, do you think I could start an orphan ministry in my church?” Dennis said, “Of course you could,” wanting to give him all the encouragement he could. The follow-up question was, “Do you think I could talk to my pastor about it?”, and then he asked, “Do you think I could talk to two other churches in our town, too?”

Wow. Someone was listening, and he listened well. What an amazing privilege that it was our grandson.

So, Papa gave him some booklets to read about how to start an orphans ministry in your church, and that night little Samuel and his dad began reading them together. They’ve talked about a plan for setting up meetings with three pastors in their small town so Samuel can challenge those pastors to begin this ministry in their churches. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, for such is the kingdom of heaven.” Only God knows the plans He has for Samuel’s future, but for now what a joy to encourage him to follow his heart to do something for God’s kingdom and for the least of these!

In the photo see our grandsons at the LifeLight event and Dennis speaking to a crowd that isn’t listening!