Ministries : Ministry of Inclusion : Min of I Buddy Story

Ministry of Inclusion - From a Buddy's Perspective


 		 Working with the Special Needs Ministry has been an unforgettable experience. I have worked as a Buddy for Ian over the past two years and have absolutely loved every minute with him. This opportunity has allowed me to grow as a person and I am so thankful to have been a part of this ministry. I am grateful to LeahAnn for allowing me to be a part of this special program and for taking me in with such open arms.            

Witnessing the changes in Ian over the past two years has made this experience so rewarding. At first, it took time for Ian to adjust to me and the whole Sunday school experience without his mom. The separation was definitely the most difficult part for him and he never left mom without a struggle. Now, however, Ian leaves his mom without a problem, excited to come to class. The beginning of my time with Ian was difficult and he often needed to leave the classroom for a little bit. That didn’t last long, though, and he almost always makes it through the hour without a single complaint. He has developed so much throughout the time I have spent with him, and there is no greater satisfaction than seeing and being a part of that.

There is one experience in particular that I will always remember. Ian is a little on the shy side and I always try to encourage him to raise his hand or shout out the answer during class. One day we were looking up Bible verses in class and the shepherd asked for a volunteer to read a verse out loud. Ian raised his hand all by himself, to the shepherd's and my surprise. That particular verse had some pretty tough words but Ian read it all by himself and kept pushing through until he got to the end. I was so proud of him and you could tell that he was satisfied with himself, too. The little things like that have made this experience so heart-warming.              

Every Sunday, I can’t wait to see Ian’s smiling face at church. It is the silly laughs and games we play together that have had the most impact on me. If I was ever gone on a Sunday, Ian would always ask the next week, “Where were you last week?” Hearing this always makes me smile on the inside, knowing that he depends on me and enjoys spending time with me. From this experience I discovered that even simple things can make a difference; there is no better reward that seeing this in action.

This experience has helped me discover my passion for working with kids and helping others. My desire to pursue a future career in nursing is owed in part to my experiences with the Special Needs Ministry. Seeing Ian’s growth and building this relationship with him is what this program is all about. It is going to be difficult to leave for college next year and not see Ian every Sunday. I have had so much fun working with him and I always leave church with a smile. Being a part of this ministry and getting to know Ian has truly been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.