If you think the biggest danger of urban ministry is getting shot during prayer or being stabbed with an HIV infected needle by unruly teens, you're wrong. I'm sure it happens now and then (and not just in urban settings) but that's danger I'm referring to. I'm warning you about the discouragement and guilt you might feet because you can't do it

One story that particularly tugged my heart has to be about a girl named after a crayon, "Yellow*". And I being thought being named after a spice was tough. But once her drug addicted parents dumped her into the Foster Care system, Yellow's name was the easiest part of her existence.

When this youth leader met Yellow, she was taken by her puppy dog eyes. Yellow was in a good foster home, complete with balanced breakfasts and clean clothes. But what Yellow really wanted was what money couldn't buy. To be adopted! Before long, this leader was feeling guilty that she didn't take Yellow home with her.

Instead of feeling bad, this leader focused her energy on what she could do. Along with adding Yellow's name to her prayer list, she took the time to find all kinds of beautiful yellow objects. She scavenged for dried yellow flowers and shiny yellow stickers. She went into department store perfume sections and found yellow scented ribbons. She even found yellow stickers and polished yellow rocks. Then she put all those yellow treasures in a yellow box and wrote a special note that read "God saved the color yellow to make all the beautiful and special things in the world, like you".

When Yellow received the box, she read the note over and over again, and began liking her colorful name. Now while this t box didn't contain new parents, or the answers to all of Yellow's problems, it did let Yellow know that somebody out there does care about her, most importantly God

So remember, if you're involved in urban ministry, focus on the things you can accomplish, like writing an encouraging note, giving a hug, playing catch, and of course, lots of prayer. All of those little things that add up to a lot. You will be doing a lot more good than you'll ever realize.

* Yellow wasn't her real name. The real Crayola Color name has been changed to protect her identity.

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