"You are the god who sees me..."

She [Hagar] gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi [the “well of the Living One who sees me”]. — Genesis 16:13–14 (NIV)

​Dear Friends,
 
Those of you that know me personally are aware that I have the attention span of a gnat – that is one of the issues of being ADHD.  This problem was brought to my attention when Chelsea was a little one and she said, “Mama, I want you to listen to me with your eyes like Daddy does.” Ouch!  Since that time I do try to utilize different strategies to keep me focused.  

I was reminded of that conversation at a recent meeting regarding the growing needs of the Special Education students in our county.  It was conveyed to us that this school year we have experienced a heightened amount of students dealing with suicidal ideation, anxiousness and depression. This problem is not limited by socio-economics, age or ethnicity.  Sadly, children as young as grade school are talking about suicide.  There has also been a rise in students who have communicated that they have the means to a weapon in their homes and also lack of adult supervision.  When we went around the room discussing the difficulties each one of our agency’s staff were facing, my heart just sunk.  

After the meeting, I asked my Counseling Coordinator, “Aubrey, what are City Impact’s statistics?”  She responded, “It’s sad to say but our therapists are conducting 2-3 suicidal assessments a week and they are writing up reports to Child Protective Services (CPS) at least twice weekly.  I can’t remember the last time when our students have experienced such a difficult year.”

I was reminded of Hagar’s words, “You are the God who sees me . . . I have now seen the One who sees me.” Genesis 16:13 (NIV)  City Impact believes in the GOD who sees us and we bring that GOD into our counseling sessions.  You may ask how? There is a term Kevin and I learned in seminary: “Incarnational” which means a person who embodies in the flesh a deity, spirit, or abstract quality.  Being GOD with skin on – He listens intently, shows compassion, shares a tear and loves as GOD loves.

Friends, thank you for your continued financial support – you empower City Impact to keep loving GOD’s kids.

Because of Him,
Betty Alvarez Ham
President
 
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