The Least of These
by Mariah Pitre, Director of Engagement
I still remember the impact of my first mission trip. Seeing children sleeping in crowded rooms painted bright orange and red, and adults rushing to me and my dad, forced me to see a different way of life. I remember asking my dad questions about why children were unsafe or alone and who was going to help them when we were gone. My dad was kind and told me that was a job for missionaries or social workers. Something about what he said resonated with me.
I wanted to work at We Will Go because I too wanted to help children like these. I wanted to be a part of the solution. ‘Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:40
Because of your support, we are able to form relationships and see transformation in our community. One relationship was formed with a student that was born into a low-income family and needed someone to care. I remember being taken aback when we went to her home and her caretaker was barely able to lift her head to greet us. Standing in that small house, I realized this student had little support, help, or encouragement in her life. Years of struggles, attempts to succeed, and times of pain passed with this student continuing to come to our programs. When she was on the brink of dropping out of homecoming court, We Will Go was there. By turning the upstairs classroom into a salon and putting together a shopping trip, our staff took time to make her dream possible.
Now as a bright and motivated high school senior, she has applied to be a Camp Counselor at We Will Go after she graduates. We are grateful for your support that has made this possible, and we are excited for her to have the opportunity to teach and mentor students who are where she once was. I was most proud to hear her say that she, “Has faith and confidence in God...and believes in Him, even when it is really hard to.” Her faith challenges the way I see my neighbors and her story reminds me of the way Christ calls us to be a neighbor.