November 16, 2017--Hope is a Big Buddy!!!

Hello all!  Hope asked me to share this with you as she would so love to have your prayer support for her as she strives to glorify God in this endeavor . . . 


Hope was involved for a short time earlier this year with the CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) as a big buddy for a new program they had started.  The program pairs a little buddy from the ages of 7-12 years old who has low vision or complete loss of vision with another vision impaired big buddy from the ages of 14-21.  Hope was paired with a sweet little girl who had been diagnosed with a brain tumor at 9 years old and had then been losing her vision over the past year.  Hope really enjoyed spending time with her little buddy, as they both could relate to living a typical life with vision for 9 years, and then having your life change drastically!  Hope was nervous and unsure how she was going to be able to do one on one activities with her little buddy, so Gabi had gone along with Hope and had helped by being the "eyes" and "hands" for Hope so they could play a game or do a craft.  Hope loved having her little sister there for physical help, but also just for emotional support and help, too.

Last month, Hope was invited to participate in the CNIB Big Buddy program again.  They've made a few changes in the program, along with new program coordinator.  Also, Hope's past little buddy is currently not registered to participate yet this year.  Another change is that big buddies are now set up as official CNIB volunteers so they can earn volunteer hours and use the program coordinator as a resume reference.  When I told Hope about all the changes, and asked if she was going to participate again this year, Hope's first question was if Gabi was going to be there again.  When I explained that Gabi wouldn't be able to go this year, Hope's next question was asking if she had to do it or could choose not to.  She really didn't want to do it . . . it's scary, outside her comfort zone, as well as a lot of effort to leave home and try to connect with new people.  

Trevor and I prayed about it and felt it was a great opportunity, not just for Hope as a volunteer and to stretch her in some of the areas she needs to grow, but most importantly in having another opportunity for her to be a light for Christ and to allow her story to point others to the glory of God!  We also decided that Hope needed to make the final decision after hearing our thoughts on the matter.  After the conversation, Hope asked if she could have a few minutes alone to make the decision.  She wheeled herself into her bedroom, and we waited . . . 

She came out about 10 mins later and she asked me to look up two verses and read them to her . . . 

The first passage was Galatians 3:4 and we continued reading verses 5 and 6:
"Did you suffer so many things in vain--if indeed it was in vain?  Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by the works of the law, or by hearing with faith--just as Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness?"

The second passage was 2 Corinthians 1:2 and we continued reading verses 3 and 4:
"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

After reading the Scripture passages to her, Hope shared that she had gone into her room to pray and talk the decision over with the Lord.  She had asked specifically that God would show her through His Word what He desired for her to do.  She thought of the passage that she has had memorized already. . . 

Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Then she shared that God had laid the other two verses on her heart to come and have me read them to her.  After I read them, she immediately said, "Okay, God is telling me to go, so I will do it."  

She attended the volunteer training session first and came home excited after meeting the new program coordinator and hearing more about her plans for the program.  She even told me to go ahead and sign her up to attend the CNIB youth event coming up next month . . . an accessible escape room and pizza night with other visually impaired teens.  This was definitely surprising for me, as when I had first told Hope about the event, she didn't want to go.  She has a hard time connecting with peers, and feeling able to participate in most activities, even accessible ones.  After meeting and talking with the program coordinator, she was wanting to give it a try, in spite of her fears!

Because this took a while for me to get on her blog, I can tell you about the first buddy program night that Hope attended last week. . . 

She was buddied with a girl and a boy.  They chose a name for their group and then decorated a group banner together, followed by making and eating dessert pizza.  Hope was encouraged by the evening and felt it went well.  I emailed the program coordinator to share with her about Hope's struggle to decide on participating and how to conquer her fears, but her leading from the Lord that this was what He would desire her to do.  I also thanked her for her part in encouraging Hope.  The program coordinator wrote me back and shared this . . . 

"Thank you so much for your kind words! I am so happy to hear that Hope is enjoying the Buddy Group. She is a valued Big Buddy and member of our group. Hope was honestly so amazing with her Little Buddies. I know she was worried she wouldn’t be able to help due to her motor abilities, but I was so impressed with her leadership. While they were making their banners, I overheard Hope asking her little buddies questions about things they liked such as their favourite colours or animals, in order to put those things on their banner. She also reminded the group that they had to come up with a team name and gave ideas as to what their name should be."

Our God is so very faithful!  So before I could even get this request out for prayer for Hope's new commitment under the Lord's leading, He has already been faithful to answer prayer and do a work in our sweet girlie!  I love Him so much!  And I'm so thankful for His continued faithfulness and goodness.  Hope faces many hardships daily, but with her trust rooted firmly in the Lord, He gives her an incredible contentment and hope in each and every day . . . He desires to use His people in a hurting world, and I love that our God is just as thrilled to use a disabled teenager that loves and trusts Him, as He is to use able bodies, like you and I!!!  He just wants willing hearts!!!

Please pray for Hope as she continues in this program that she would be a blessing to her little buddies, that she would be a light to everyone around her for God's glory, and that God would also use this time to continue to grow her!  Hope asked me to post this request for your prayer, and she thanks you, dear ones!  You are so loved!!!