Tillie Burgin speaks to students and teachers from Treetops International school. The students brought gifts to help the children Mission Arlington serves.

When Tillie Burgin was a child, she wanted to serve and to help.  She would ask different adults in the church, especially as she grew into her teen years, if she could teach.  The adults in her life were never quite ready to put her to work.  The answer was always “no.”  When Tillie turned 18, they asked her to teach, but this time she said “no.”  Perhaps out of those early experiences, Tillie developed a commitment to make a place for the children in all of our lives.  Letting children serve early on facilitates their services as adults.

For this reason, Mission Arlington® loves to work with children.  Children have always been a part of the ministry and of the volunteer landscape of this place. We value so much the gifts & contributions that children can bring here, and to our community. We are grateful for parents, for churches, for schools, and for civic groups of all kinds who bring children here to serve. Children make a difference.

This morning, the Tree Tops International student brought gifts to Mission Arlington®  Their teachers were illustrating for them how to give back to the community, and helping them know what their gifts would mean to other children – just like them.  Tillie spoke to the students to help them know how much their generosity meant, and shared with them how their gifts would be used.  It was a beautiful moment.

Jesus told his followers that “whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me” (Matthew 18:2 NIV).  The mission family believes that loving and welcoming children is an important part of our commission.

We are so blessed to serve in a community that does such a good job loving children.  Thank you so much for your prayers, and for the way you walk this journey with us.  We are so privileged by this partnership in these days.