“Let Me Introduce You”

            “Boys and girls, we a have new girl at summer camp,” said Grandmommy. “Her name is Mauri. Make her feel welcome.”

            “Hello Mauri,” all of the children said. “Welcome to our class.”

            Many of the children came up to greet her. Destiny’s Grandmommy was talking to the teacher about all of the things that Mauri would need to do to catch up on the class work. Some of the children tried to give Mauri a hug, but she was not used to being hugged. Destiny and Becca were watching and waiting for their chance to say hello.

            “Hi Mauri. My name is Destiny and this is my friend Becca, would you like to sit with us?” asked Destiny.

            Mauri followed Destiny to the table where Becca was sitting. “Hi Mauri,” said Becca. “You can sit here with us.” She moved some of their things to make room for Mauri.

            “Thank you,” said Mauri.

            “You will like here at summer camp. We are always doing lots of things that are fun,” said Destiny.

            “I hope so,” said Mauri sadly.

            “What’s wrong?” asked Destiny.

            “I don’t have many friends,” said Mauri.

            “Why?” asked Becca.

            “We move around a lot,” said Mauri.

            “Do you have to move all the time?” asked Destiny.

            “We move a lot,” said Mauri. “We have already moved three or four times this year, I think. That is how many different schools I have been to.”

            “Maybe this time you can stay awhile and be our friend,’ said Becca.

            “Do you want to be our friend?” asked Destiny.

            “I would like to, but I could end up moving again,” said Mauri.

            “That won’t matter to us,” said Becca. “We can always be friends no matter where you go.”

            “How can we be friends if I move again?” asked Mauri.

            “Don’t worry. We’ll find a way,” said Destiny.

            The girls began to play as if they had known each other for along time. Grandmommy came into the room to check on Mauri.

            “Mauri, are you having a good time?” asked Grandmommy.

            “Yes ma’am. Thank you,” said Mauri. “Becca and Destiny are very nice to me.”

            “If there is any problems, come and see me,” said Grandmommy.

            “Thank you,” said Mauri.

            After a couple of weeks, the girls were inseparable, like peas in a pod. They went every where together. Grandmommy noticed as time passed that Mauri began to get sad again. One day the girls came by the office after one of their afternoon bathroom runs. They offered to clean up Grandmommy’s office so that they did not have to go back to class.

            “Well what are you three up to now? asked Grandmommy. “You haven’t wanted to clean my office in a long time.”

            “Grandmommy, do you think that Mauri and her mother could stay put this time?” asked Destiny.

            “Destiny that is up to her mother” said Granmommy. “Mauri, do you like it here?”

            “Very much,” said Mauri. “I have never had friends like Becca and Destiny before. I hope that we don’t move again.”

            “It will work out for you,” said Grandmommy.

            “I hope so,” said Destiny.

            “Grandmommy, I think it is time that we share our special secret with Mauri,” said Destiny.

            “What secret?” asked Mauri?

            “Should we tell her now?” asked Becca.

            Grandmommy sensed something special what was about to take place and her presence was not needed. Besides, they would tell her all about it later.

            “How about I give you girls some privacy in my office,” said Grandmommy.

            As soon as the door closed, the girls jumped right in and started talking about Jesus.

            “Mauri, do you know who Jesus is?” asked Destiny.

            “Sorta kind of,” said Mauri. “I remember hearing my grandmother call His name and talking about Him when I was little. I haven’t seen her in a long time. I used to feel safe when I would hear her talk to Jesus. She even let me sit with her and listen when she would talk to Him.”

            “Well Jesus is our friend,” said Becca. “He talks to me and Destiny all the time. He is even here in this room with us right now.”           

            “Wait a minute,” said Destiny.”We have to tell her the most important part.”

            “What is the most important part,” asked Mauri.

            “First, tell us what you know,” said Destiny.

            “I don’t know that much,” said Mauri.

            “Did you ever go to Sunday School or church?” asked Becca.

            “No, because we were always moving,” said Mauri.

            “Where’s your father?” asked Becca.

            “That’s not nice,” said Destiny.

            “It’s ok. I have never seen him. Its just me and momma since we left grandmother’s house,” said Mauri.

            “I’m sorry,” Becca said. “I did not mean to hurt your feelings.”

            “You didn’t,” said Mauri. “I can tell you all the truth because you are my friends.”

            “We need to tell you about Jesus. He is the best friend you will ever have,” said Destiny.

            “What is so cool about Jesus is that He knows all about you,” said Becca.

            “Mauri, we talked to Jesus about you and He said that you needed a friend,” said Destiny.

            “How did you do that? asked Mauri.

            “We just talk to Him, He listens and He speaks to us,” said Becca. “He is easy to talk to. He even told us that He is working out so that you do not have to move around anymore.”

            “What do you mean?” asked Mauri.

            “You really have to meet Him for yourself to understand,” said Becca.

            Just then Grandmommy opened the door. “Ok girls. Your time is up,” she said. “You have been in here chatting all afternoon. Now it is time to go home.”

            As everyone left for the day, Becca and Destiny went back to talk to Grandmommy.

            “Pastor Grandmommy,” said Becca. “I think that we need to pray for Mauri.”

            “Yes, Grandmommy. We really want her to know Jesus and understand that He loves her very much. If it wasn’t true He would not have told us,” said Destiny.

            “Ok,” said Grandmommy. “What will we pray for/”

            “We will pray for her to understand how to know Him and feel His love to start,” said Destiny.

            “Ok.” said Grandmommy. “Remember what I taught you about believing what you pray for and touching and agreeing, because Jesus is here with us and He is listening to your words and your heart. Who is going to start?”

            “I will,” said Becca. “Jesus, I thank you for our new friend, Mauri. You told me and Destiny that she needs a friend. I know that you love her just like you love us. Help her to understand who you are right now.

            “Jesus, let her feel your love. Speak to her as you speak to us. Let her know that God sent you just for her because of His love,” said Destiny.

            “Father, you have heard the prayer of your girls and we thank you for helping Mauri to understand and receive your love right now. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen,” said Grandmommy.

            “Amen!” the girls said.