Michigan—At Grand Rapids Adventist Academy (GRAA), students in grades K–12 experienced Matt. 25:40 firsthand this Christmas season: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Projects in the lower grades this year reached out through Toys for Tots, Project Angel Tree, Bibles for the Blind, and Hope for Humanity. Beginning with grade seven, the students were more personally involved with projects that have been around for some time.

Ten years ago a small seventh and eighth grade class wanted to do something different for its Christmas giving project. “Why couldn’t we make gift bags, go downtown, and give them to the homeless on the streets?” they asked. When the time arrived to deliver their 50 bags of hats, socks, toiletries, and Steps to Christ, both the students and their teacher were apprehensive about what they had gotten themselves into. None could have imagined how rewarding an experience it would be for them as well as the homeless they ministered to that day.

Now, ten years later, the project continues with the help of numerous members from area churches: a 97-year-old lady who knitted as many as 260 hats each year, another who provided all the shampoo and/or hand soap, and still another who provides 104 pairs of new socks each year, just to name a few. The project just kept growing and growing as people realized the valuable outreach experiences the students were having.

This year, the students were still a bit concerned about going to Division Street until they met their first recipient with an unforgettable change of expression, a heartfelt "Thank you!", a “God bless you!”, or a song. Soon apprehension changed to joy. No one focused on self unless they realized how much they had to be grateful for. Adrian Cortes, a seventh grader, said: “I thank God for letting me have this wonderful experience, to have given those bags to the underprivileged/least of these... today I gave to Jesus.” The students are already planning what they might do in Feb. for the individuals they met this year.

Last year, the high-school students started a new tradition that continued this year. The food shelter provided them with the names of six needy families who would not have much of a Christmas. Twenty children (under ten) and their parents were invited to a party with food, games, and gifts for each child. Two students doted on each child and made it “the best Christmas party I’ve ever been to,” as one eight-year-old put it. Each family went home with smiles on their faces, presents, and a food basket as well.

In the selfish world we live in today, it is so rewarding to see young people “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2).

Debra Barr, Grand Rapids Adventist Academy principal