Most evenings these days, there's a knock at the door shortly after my wife and I get home from work. We know who's there: three young girls from our apartment building.

When my wife took an interest in them, she quickly became their hero. First she played with them in the hall. When they got permission from their parents, we allowed them into our apartment. Now they come to our apartment regularly for art projects (my wife is a former art teacher) and to play with our kitten.

But with both of us working, the visits began taking a toll. My habit of watching the nightly news was interrupted by girlish laughter and my wife was getting worn out.

One night after they left, we found ourselves complaining.

"This is too much," I said. "I need my peace and quiet."

But as we grumbled it dawned on us what an incredible ministry opportunity we'd been given. These girls need us. One has a single mother who works two jobs. Another is regularly locked out of her apartment until dark.

Yes, we decided ...