Weekend in Grand Rapids!

This past weekend, Melissa and I took two of our girls to a Purity and Holiness Seminar at my home church in Grand Rapids. This seminar focuses on sexuality and relationships. Even though I would have loved to see more girls come, it was nice to have a smaller group. In the summer of 2005, Misha and Inez (the girls who came) worked at day camp. So, Melissa and I had already gotten to know them pretty well.

I am so thankful that the girls had this opportunity. It took them out of their comfort zone to a knew place and also they were able to learn stuff they had never been taught before. In their world, waiting for marriage is an un-thought of concept. And this curriculum took them beyond the rules of purity to issues of the heart and their relationship with God. They had some good questions and I could tell through our conversations that this really got them thinking. I am praying that God would allow this information to penetrate their hearts and that they would have a desire to be pure and obedient to His will.

In addition to the seminar, we also had some fun over the weekend. My parents opened up their home and cooked some great meals for us. We also took them out on Friday night for some dessert at “On the Border” (a Mexican restaurant where my brother works).

This was a great weekend for all of us. And I want to send out a very special thank you to my wonderful church family at Forest Hills Bible Chapel who allowed us to come and made every one feel right at home!

Back at it!

Programming has started back up here at HPCO! I have been really looking forward to seeing all of the kids again and having club and youth groups. This week was great but also carried with it some challenges.
Last Sunday, we had a volunteer meeting to regroup and plan out programming for the winter. I'm excited about all of the ideas that came up. It seems to be on all of our hearts that we would like to really step it up a notch and get the kids into the Word and reading it on their own. We have been looking at some ideas for prayer, Bible reading and quiet times. I have seen that this is such a strong need at all ages of our youth...well, actually in all of our lives! My heart is that they would all have a hunger for God's Word and to be growing in their personal relationships with Him. We can give them Bible lessons, encouragement and truth, but eventually, it has to come from their own hearts. I pray that the Spirit will continue to work in their lives daily!
As far as the challenges go, we have two boys who have been coming that really add some challenges for us. They are 9 year old twins. While they can be highly energetic, uncooperative and cause a lot of chaos, I think it's safe to say that they have won over the hearts of most, if not all of us. There are a lot of weeks where they are not allowed back the following week because of behavior. This past Thursday, I realized just how much I want them to be there because I know they are learning. One of them came and sat with me while his group was learning the memory verse. He had the verse with him, so he and I sat and worked on it. It was "For the Son of man did not come to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many". We talked about what the verse meant, what Jesus had done for us and why. He had so many great questions. I was really thankful for the time I was able to spend with him. But then, when we got on the van to ride home, he started fighting with the other kids and not listening to what was being told to him. It was so hard for me. I have been praying a lot for those two boys over the last few days. I know that they do not have a very stable home life and that many adults have given up on them. But I know God hasn't. And God loves them so much and I would love to see them give their lives to God and follow Him, not follow down the road that seems to already be paved out for them.
I also have been challenged on what discipleship means and looks like as I work with our Jr High and High School girls. It is continually a challenging and growing experience. These girls face so much daily and have temptations and struggles that many of them don't feel open to share with me. God has taught me lately that in discipleship, I need to also be open with them about where I struggle and how God is teaching me. Leading through example, and also being vulnerable so that they can see that they are not alone and then trusting God to work in their lives as they learn about Him.
Well, I've said a lot...hopefully not too boring! Thank you all for your continual prayers-God is working through them!!!