Dear Jay,

I promised I would put into a letter the thoughts I shared with you during your recent visit to Kapahulu Bible Church.

Common Grace is responsible for changing my life. Perhaps not fully responsible, but my weekly experience for almost two years with my Common Grace kid was used by God to draw me into a "second career" in public education. After an early retirement from our sales and marketing firm in Vermont my wife and I moved here to Oahu to enjoy the almost empty nest and pre grandkid stage of our lives. Our youngest of three sons joined us and for once my greatest commodity was time; to explore, sail and experience the islands while training our Zachary, a mentally impaired 23 year old. When our church began the one hour, one kid, once a week visit to Waikiki Elementary School, I joined in and was paired with a dynamic kindergarten boy who quickly claimed a corner of my heart to occupy. During this time with my Common Grace kid, my son was training with Goodwill Industries and I began imagining the possibility of Zachary becoming more independent of me, and wondering what in the world would God have for me to do with my days. This is where the idea to become a Special Education Teacher began developing in my heart and mind. The months and experiences following seemed to confirm this calling in my life and I began a fast track teacher education program at Chaminade University in the field of Elementary and Special Education. This May I will be donning cap and gown and walking to a podium to receive my credentials for teaching in our public school system. 

I cherish the lunchtime hours I shared with my kid at Waikiki Elementary. The relationships that all of our church  volunteers have formed with these school kids through Common Grace partnering will surely leave a lasting and positive impression on both adult and school kid alike. I am glad that God has brought me to this new place where I will be in our schools on a daily basis and able to reach out to the children who need an adult to listen to them, smile at them and tell them they are good and smart and okay. Common Grace was a big part of the influences that God used to bring me to this newfound career.

Thank you Common Grace. God bless your efforts on behalf of the elementary school kids in Hawaii.

Your friend and Brother in Christ,

Russ