When I was put in as a new Primary teacher, I had one inactive girl on my list. The first week of class I came home and wrote the little girls a letter -- told her I noticed her name on my roles and would love to meet her someday, and then gave her a little tidbit of my lesson and the handout I had given the kids. Each week I would take my roll in front of the class and mention the little girl's name (along with everybody else). We would talk about how fun it would be one day if she would join us, and how we would welcome her as a class. My children began to pray in their class prayers for the eventual attendance and well-being on this child, and I continued to send my weekly letter to her in the mail (little children LOVE getting mail). Always I included something interesting about myself (so she could get to know me), how our class was hoping to meet her someday, a fun lesson tidbit, and the handout. One day, after several months, this little girl SHOWED UP!!  My class was so excited, and welcomed her whole-heartedly. I kept this up for a long time...and when she didn't come, I always sent the letter. Now this little girl, her mother, and sister all come on a regular basis to church. I am no longer a primary teacher, but it was a beautiful experience for me to witness the difference we could make as a primary class.

Just as a side-note--the SAME thing worked for a child I had who threw crying fits in my class every week--not wanting to be away from her mother. I tried to notice something good that she did in class--even through her fit--and then I wrote her a little letter the next week telling her how impressed I was with this part of her behavior. I told her I loved her, and looked forward to seeing her the following week. I kept it up for a few months, and the fits totally stopped. This was the 6 year old class. The little girl actually turned into what I call the "class mother"--taking care to watch out for all the kids in class, making sure they had a friend, and always helping them when they seemed to need some assistance. It was an amazing transformation to watch.