"To bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They are called,
"Oaks of Righteousness",
a planted by the LORD
for the display of His splendor.
They shall rebuild the ruins and
what was destroyed.
Isaiah 61:3-4
OUR MISSION
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'”
The mission statement for the ChildD Ministry is to bring hope to the hopeless by providing information on learning disabilities and unique learning needs with God’s word as a way to advance God’s Kingdom here on earth.
(A) To spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ by providing God’s Kingdom perspective to children (of all ages), parents, educators, and ministers by providing information that meets their unique learning needs.
(B) To support educators and organizations serving those with learning disabilities and unique learning needs by providing God’s Kingdom perspective through lectures, seminars, website, training, prayer, and resources.
(C) To establish a network of the various organizations that either serve or are involved with learning disabled individuals in order to share and support one another in the areas of unique learning needs with prayer and resources.
(D) To identify and train indigenous Christian leaders in foreign countries in the area of Kingdom perspectives in regards to learning disabilities and unique learning needs.
(E) To provide information in the area of learning disabilities and unique learning needs in the context outside of any Christian perspective for those who may feel uncomfortable with religious affiliations.
Conquering learning disabilities with God's kingdom perspectives
Joyce Inouye M.A.Ed.
Learning Disabilities are a challenge not only for parents in Japan, but in every country around the world. It affects all ages, all socio-economic levels, and all cultures. It seems like the world stops for every parent when they discover their children have difficulties in learning, sitting still, or completing their schoolwork. It’s painful because the truth is, when our children hurt, we as their parents and family members hurt.
Learning Disabilities is a general term that describes specific kinds of learning problems. Although Learning Disabilities vary from person to person, the skills most affected are seen when reading, writing, speaking, reasoning and doing math.When those with Learning Disabilities have trouble learning, they can easily receive and accept the ungodly “LIE” that they are not smart. This can open doors to more ungodly lies, and soon, the entire family becomes infected like an “virus” infects our health that can exchange joy and hope for anxiety, depression and hopelessness.
The “key” to helping someone with a Learning Disability is to provide individualized help, identify strengths to teach through, and having God’s “truth” through His Word received not only in the mind, but also consumed and known in one’s heart. I have found in 45+ years of diagnosing, teaching, training, and ministering to clients of all ages and their families, having God’s “Kingdom Perspective” with Learning Disabilities and unique learning needs is vital. Without God’s perspective, it is easy to become overwhelmed with the influx of information this world brings forth through the Internet, with books and in the variety of programs.
I am reminded that God created your children, and chose you as their parents at the beginning of time. God fashioned your children with “fearful and wonderful” perfection for His high calling. He has secured your children’s future, for He says, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans that are not evil, but good, to give you a hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) God does not make mistakes.” Perhaps we have grown angry that our children have unique needs. This is a universal response when our children have difficulties other children their ages do not. We ask God, “Why did you do this to our family?” We begin to think about those horrible evenings with God by saying, “If I do this, will you take the difficulties away?” We become guilty because we don’t know how to help our children, and our frustration makes it so we lose hope, or pray to wake up from this terrible nightmare. We ask God if He hears our cries and prayers. These are very real reactions and responses when our children are having challenges. When we question God, we resolve to the Truth that God is sovereign.
We may never understand “why” God allows disabilities, or difficult times, but we do know the “Who” is a sovereign God. We know if we believe in His sovereignty, then this will become the uncompromising “cornerstone” of our faith. We realize that God knows with detail what He is doing. We realize “man plans his steps, but it is God that guides our paths.” Only with increasing faith in God, can we move forward trusting that God’s ways are higher, and in our weaknesses, the fullness of His glory shines and pierces the darkness. In Psalm 139:15-16 God says, “My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; and I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” God takes what the world sees as weak, and shames the proud. Your challenges and difficulties are not by chance, but will be used to show His glory.
The truth begins, knowing that those with unique learning needs are created in a unique and different way. Finding out our children’s unique ways is necessary. We need to become detectives and observe our children to discover their strengths, gifts and talents. Perhaps it may not be in the typical subjects taught in school, but are they compassionate, loving, creative and artistic. Are they athletic, or socially embracing. Maybe they have gifts in dance, song, memory, and in encouraging others. Maybe they are prayer warriors and love the Lord with all their soul, heart and mind. We become awakened by His Word and see that our children are created in God’s image. Our hope is not deferred. We praise them, and encourage them, and teach them through their strengths to find… they can become successful. We see that with God, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE (Matthew 19:26). We see, that God hears our every prayer, and truly is, Jehovah Jireh… the God who provides.