Some years we had thirty students, some years twelve or sixty. Then there was the year we had only 6 boys, many of whom came only to get out of class. But there were the special ones that you knew God had their attention by the way they listened. You pray each year that God will hold onto each one as you may only get them for a month till their parents move or they graduate into middle school.
The year with the six boys was especially discouraging. I remember going home one day after school wondering if this was worth my time and effort, when God quietly brought to my mind, "We walk by faith and not by sight." We fervently prayed for more students. The next year God answered and sent us twelve boys!
(Picture from Ladd Acres PREP4Kids class)
Because we had only women on our team, we planned two summer outings with some men from my church. One day was planned for hiking and canoeing. The boys had a blast, but I spent the day counting heads to be sure none were left or lost from this wild, crazy bunch. God got us all back home safe and sound.
God is impressing on me that we work for an invisible God who works in invisible hearts and is totally in charge of the work and the results! I think otherwise I could be tempted to claim result as if they were due to my efforts.