Go Beyond

I was very fortunate to grow up in a family that encouraged me to learn about the larger world beyond our small South Texas town. My curiosity about far-away places was aroused by the travel stories I heard at family gatherings, by black-and-white slides as well as color photographs taken in various countries, by the books and magazines on our coffee table, by globes and maps and more. Each of these resources played a small role in helping me to piece together a picture of the world.

Last Fall our Missions Ministry launched a new resource to help kids learn about the nations — our Go Beyond Just for Kids magazine. Our first issue was all about water and helped our kids understand the challenges that kids in other nations face just to get water. Several families that read that issue talked to their kids about the water crisis and collectively raised $5,000.00 to drill a water well in El Salvador. Each family made small sacrifices. This month, a team from Kingsland will travel to El Salvador to drill the water well they funded.

Our newest issue of Go Beyond Just for Kids is all about homes. This 12-page issue features lots of photos and kid-friendly exercises to help our kids learn about houses around the world. We also have a two-page spread about what life is like for the kids who live at the Imparting Smiles orphanage in Cambodia. Our “How Can I Help?” section challenges each reader to save $5.00 so that we can build a home for a family in Panama. We want for our kids to understand that they can make a difference by praying for others in need and by making small sacrifices.

Copies of Go Beyond Just for Kids will be available this Sunday in your child’s classroom and also in the foyer of the worship center. Please make the time to look at this issue with your kids, to answer any questions they may have, and to help them understand what life is like for kids who live in far-away places. Pray with your kids and challenge them to do something to make a difference. We want for our kids to understand that you don’t have to be a grown up to change the world. You just have to be willing to go beyond!