"What Can We Do?"

Last night I had an interesting conversation with one of the Children's Home residents I'll call Matt.  He lives on the Atlantis unit and asked the question I hear most often from the Atlantis boys: "When will we have Youth for Christ on our unit?"  My answer was the same as always, "As soon as we have someone volunteer to do that." 

 

Then Matt asked the question I've been dreading, "Why are there volunteers for all the other units but no one will volunteer to be with us?"  He followed up with a question I love, "What can we do to get someone to come?"  The answer?  Pray.

 

We've been praying for men to teach these boys about Christ.  Men who love God and have a heart to tell others about God's love.  These young men are asking for it.  They're waiting, they're wondering, they're praying.  Will you join us in praying for the right men to reach out to an audience that's already ready and willing?

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas!

 

Last night we celebrated Christmas with the Children's Home kids.  It's always such a joy to see their excitement and watch their anticipation.  They start talking about the party months in advance, and they don't stop talking about it for months after.  They enjoy the food, exclaim over the decorations, shout the Christmas carols, and love the gifts.  All of the work that goes into the party shows them God's love.  In fact, for that one evening the kids feel lavishly loved.

 

May we all feel God's lavish love this Christmas season.

 

 

 

 

 

Enterprise Club!

For over three years, we’ve been asking God to send volunteers to start club on Enterprise, the only Children’s Home unit that hasn’t had club. I’m not sure why He waited three years, but He sent us three amazing people to work with these boys who are the lowest functioning residents. Their experience, training and passions all work together to meet the needs of these boys.

Our first Enterprise club was September 5 and I’ve never seen a group of kids as excited as they were to be able to spend an hour with a group of adults. We’ll be meeting with them every Tuesday evening and we’d love it if you would join us in praying for our ministry to these boys.

Watch Them Soar!

Challenger, Endeavor, Atlantis, Enterprise, Freedom. What do you think of
when you hear those words all together? Space shuttles, right? Unless
you're familiar with the Children's Home. Those are the names of the five
Children's Home units where the kids live.

When I think of what it took to launch those shuttles, I think of many
things but at the top of the list is bravery. That also describes the
Children's Home kids. They've had some really rough knocks in life but
they bravely push on. They work to better themselves and their
situations. I feel privileged to watch our team of volunteers guide them
to the feet of the One who can help them soar like an eagle - or maybe a
space shuttle!

Second Chance

What's in a name?

There's a lot to be said for name recognition. McDonald's Kleenex,
Band-Aid - we don't need any further definition. Unfortunately, the same
can't be said for the Children's Home Ministry. Too many people think of
small children and don't realize we work with teenagers. In addition, we
now have a ministry to the teens at the Juvenile Detention Center. So we
decided to rename the ministry.

Second Chance Ministry

If there's anything we all need, it's a second chance. But the kids in
these two institutions show that need so clearly. And a second chance is
exactly what Christ offers. So when you hear about Second Chance Ministry,
think of the teens in the Children's Home and Juvenile Detention Center, and
thank God for the second chance He offers to all of us.

Scott's Prairie

It seems that lately I've been spending a fair amount of time at Scott's
Prairie. What a great place! It's a farm owned by the Children's Home and
they use it for picnics, camp-outs, anything outdoors. YFC has had 3
picnics with the kids there just in the month of June.

It's so great to see the kids enjoy God's creation, whether it's riding
bikes on the bike trails, fishing in the lake, playing volleyball, or
petting the growing assortment of animals. I'm thrilled the Children's Home
kids have Scott's Prairie. This summer, don't forget to take advantage of
some good weather to enjoy God's creation yourself.

Congratulations!

Graduations are over, but the excitement lives on with the Children's Home
kids. Their graduation is different from most for a few reasons. First,
many of them thought they'd never wear a cap and gown. It's so much fun to
see how excited they are when they receive their Certificate of Completion.
Secondly, it's much smaller - maybe 10 kids or so. Also, the ceremony also
doubles as an awards ceremony where other awards are given. My favorite one
this year was: Constant Effort Day After Day. The Children's Home does a
wonderful job of awarding the kids for each achievement.

But the biggest difference for me is how few family members are there. Some
come, but there are some kids who have no one there for them other than
Children's Home staff and Youth for Christ volunteers. I'm so glad we can
be there to yell and cheer for them, look at their awards, and take pictures
of them in their caps and gowns. So to the kids who made that walk to the
Children's Home stage this year: CONGRATULATIONS!!!