What's in your closet?

Recently during an office clean-out, we discovered some children's picture Bibles stashed in a cupboard, unused for some time. Wanting to put them to better use, STARS director Jeff Nelson took them to the "STARS-Bucks Store," where kids participating in the program could cash in points they had earned for items they wanted - small toys and prizes, school supplies, or other practical things.

One little girl, "Jocelyn," had her heart set on a Bible. She was so excited to get her Bible that she could not stop hugging it. During gym time, she kept her new Bible with her, looking at the pictures and showing all of her friends.

How precious is God's word to us, and how precious are the kids he loves! May we all share Jocelyn's childlike joy and wonder at God's letter to us.

And a simple challenge - is there something in your closet, unused, that could bless a kid? The STARS-Bucks Store is open monthly at the two STARS location and always needs new or gently used items for 50 kids grades K-6. (More Bibles or books are welcome!) Email us at SCYMinistries@gmail.com if you have items to donate, or call our office at (937)325-6183.

Literacy Training Dates

SCYM will be hosting a literacy training in collaboration with David Smiddy and the Warder Literacy Center. The event is free and open to the public. Additionally, anyone who attends will be certified to tutor at our STARS afterschool program. The training will be offered twice. Below are the locations and times. We would love to see you there!

Sunday, November 22nd from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
High Street Church of the Nazarene
1625 East High Street
Springfield, OH 45505

or

Monday, November 23rd from 2:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Westside Christian Community
1335 Maiden Lane
Springfield, OH 45504


For more information, please contact Jeff Nelson at 360-7308 or jeff4kids@yahoo.com

Tutors needed for STARS After-School Program

Did you know that one of the leading indicators of whether a child will be involved in the court system as an adult is their third grade reading level?

Because we believe that part of helping kids grow to mature, responsible Christian adulthood is helping them value their education and succeed academically, we are working on a new initiative in our STARS tutoring times to help kids improve their reading skills. We're excited at helping these kids hone a skill that will enrich their entire lives.

But - we need help! We're aiming to get one tutor for each of the 40 children currently enrolled in our STARS programs. From high school age on up - if you can read and you can show up, then we believe you can help a kid. Training begins in late November.

Tutors can come on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday afternoons for just 45 minutes. Times vary slightly but fall between 2:30-4:30 each week. Why not join us and impact a kid's life forever? Email us at scyministries@gmail.com, or call our office at (937)325-6183.

OX Roast Pics!

The OX Roast was a blast. The kids enjoyed the jumpers, Buckeye Hunt, and making bracelets.

God gave us a beautiful day, and lots of hungry SCYM fans.

Jeff Nelson comments; OX ROAST 2009 a big success!

Well, this is my first official post to our ministry blog.  After a fruitful ministry with the Projeto Resgate street childrens ministry in Brazil, my wife Tiffany and I, along with our four kids Caleb (12), Michaela (10), Joshua (8) and Samuel (6) have settled back here in Springfield.  You can check out our family blog to learn more about that.

I am really blessed to be a part of SCYM, and see the exciting things that God is doing and has done in this ministry.  I run the STARS after school program, as well as Wise Guys mentoring groups for Jr. High boys, and Kid Can! Summer Day camp.  We have some exciting things planned for this year.  Next week STARS will  begin at Westside Christian Community and at High Street Church of the Nazarene.  We hope to have about 25 kids coming from Snyder Park Elementary to Westside, and about 32 coming from Kenwood Elementary to High Street.

Today we had an answer to prayer regarding transportation for High Street.  The church bus only has seats for 21, and I have been trying to figure out how we were going to get the remaining 11 or so students to the program.  After checking into a few options, I talked to my friend Captain Steve Carroll at The Salvation Army, and he said they would be happy to partner with us and let us use one of their 11 passenger vans on Wednesdays.  God is good!   

Our annual OX Roast is now history, and was a big success.  We had about 300 donors and other friends from the community join us at Faith in Christ Lutheran Church for some great food, good music, a cool Buckeye Hunt and other activities.  Thank you to all who participated and gave to help us this year.  Look for OX Roast pictures in my next post.

Jeff Nelson

Associate Director SCYM

One hand at a time

A few weeks back at Kids Can! Summer Day Camp, I helped some kids learn how to make candles. Hot wax + no air conditioning + active little kids = as much excitement as you'd expect. (The kids did a great job, and their business, Downtown Candle Co., made a great product.)

On one of our first days of business, I took the kids to a craft store to buy candle supplies. This involved the necessary “research” of smelling every scent of candle to the point of possibly permanent wax buildup on their noses. Also, a lot of touching everything on every shelf. But, on with the story.

A five-year-old boy I’ll call Donny, a sweet, funny, and dare I say Extremely Active little guy, was part of my candle-shopping group. Donny was one of our kids from Interfaith Hospitality Network, whose family had hit hard times and was homeless. As I called Donny’s name – often – to rein him in from destroying anything valuable in the store, he caught my director’s heart off guard when, at one point, he reached his five-year-old hand up and put it in mine.

Reaching for a hand. It was a very simple, unexpected gesture. I do it with my three-year-old daughter often, but rarely with kids from the ministry. It said to me that Donny was hungry for attention and affection, even when he was being reined in and under a little scrutiny.

It struck me that Donny and every kid will outgrow the desire to have their hand held – but that they won’t outgrow the need to have their hand held. Not literally, of course – they quickly become too big, too cool, and too independent for that. But holding a hand symbolizes a lot of things – things that kids both younger and older still need, and that the staff at SCYM, both paid and volunteer, are there to give.

Guidance. That hand they hold helps keep a kid from going down the wrong aisle, from darting out in a parking lot, and from heading down a dangerous path.

Balance. My three-year-old is a great walker, but her knees are just a mess in the summertime from spills and scrapes on the sidewalk. If I hold her hand, I won’t keep her from tripping, but I can help catch her before she really gets hurt. Adults who walk alongside kids are there to help kids before they get into really disastrous, hurtful situations and provide some balance in their lives.

Reassurance. We all need the freedom to explore, but the reassurance of knowing we’re not alone. Kids need to have a consistent, caring adult presence. Someone safe to talk to, who will be there over the long haul. Period.

Safety. Presence. Fun. Correction. Encouragement. There are so many others. What’s more, each of us, no matter how big, strong or independent, needs to hold a hand that’s bigger than ours – the Father’s.

How can you grab a kid’s hand? How can you come alongside and give reassurance, balance, or guidance? Never underestimate the importance of a hand.

Faith Bosland
Executive Director

Ox Roast 2009!

On Saturday, September 12th from 5:00-7:00 pm at Faith in Christ Lutheran Church, SCYM will be hosting our 12th annual Ox Roast! Come out to Northridge and eat delicious food before the big OSU game! There will be delicious roast beef and sides; live music provided by Rick L. James (www.rickjamesmusic.net); activities for kids; and a silent auction including YMCA family membership and many other items.

The Ox Roast is a terrific opportunity to help support SCYM and the kids we serve! If you would like to contribute to this year's event, click here and write "Ox Roast" in the message field.

Kids Can! Summer Day Camp 2009 Article

"Small" Business Owners Combine Faith and Entrepreneurship

Looking like typical 7- and 9-year-old brothers, Anthony and Alex (names changed) came to Kids Can! Summer Day Camp excited to have fun, make new friends, and become entrepreneurs in their own small businesses. Not so typical is the fact that Anthony and Alex's family is struggling with homelessness and recently came to stay at Interfaith Hospitality Network. Asked what their favorite part of Summer Day Camp is, they said "I liked making and selling our products" and "I liked learning about God and Jesus."

This year SCYM provided 27 children from Springfield City Schools, about one -third from IHN, with four weeks - twenty-five hours a week - of fun, faith-building activities, opportunities to learn about business and make and sell their own products, and most of all relationships with caring adults and older youth who show them the love of Christ. Unique aspects of the entrepreneurship camp included testimonies from local business people about how their faith impacts their business; teaching times about faith, honesty, and using money wisely; lessons from Junior Achievement; micro-loans from Fifth Third Bank (where the kids enjoyed sending drive-thru tubes!); and a camp store at City Hall Plaza on July 14-15.

Praise the Lord for four weeks that Alex and Anthony (and others) will never forget. They have glimpsed God's love and promise for them, and have seeds of hope planted for their futures!

Earlier this week

Pastor Iz led in worship. He taught us some fun camp songs and about greed vs. generosity. Then the students divided into their businesses to complete their products, package, price and put the finishing touches on their posters for advertising. The also went to the playground and played football, elbow tag and four square. They ended the day by eating popsicles!

Angie

Support the Kids Can! Entrepreneurs - July 14 and 15 Downtown

Handcrafted items made by the Springfield city kids of Kids Can! Summer Day Camp will soon be for sale! Come and show your support at the camp store:

Tuesday, July 14 - 11:00-1:00

Wednesday, July 15 - 11:00-1:00

Downtown Springfield, City Hall Plaza (picnic area between the fountains and City Hall)

You'll be able to buy baked goods including homemade dog biscuits, and "people" cookies and cupcakes; all-natural jar candles; hand-beaded jewelry; and original photography. Kids from each business will be there to tell you about their items and what they did at camp.

Summer Day Camp- week 3

I’ve really enjoyed being the team leader for the photography business at Kids Can day camp. Part of my job is to take the kids out in groups to take pictures which we will be selling at the end of camp (please come and buy!). I’m amazed at how beautiful it is to see an artist emerge from a third or fourth grader. God is, if anything, a creative artist, and He has made us in his image. He has made us to create. But he has also made us to see. A camera in the hands of an eleven year old is not just a camera, it a perspective changer. I’m convinced that the kids in my group will never look at a flower, or a sign, or a person the same way. From now on they will search for the art, the grace, or the sorrow of sunsets and signs and smiles. I’m also believing that Kids Can is changing these youngsters perspectives in spiritual matters as well. On a ride to Walmart the other day to pick out picture frames I heard an interesting conversation in which a boy and a girl were “discussing” whether Jesus died on a cross and rose again. Pretty heavy stuff for these youngsters, but eternally important. I think that, for some, this camp is also changing their perspectives about God as they begin to hear that they are loved and cherished and bought with a price. I know that when Jesus became the center of my life almost 10 years ago the flowers and the sunsets began to take on new meanings and I haven’t seen them the same way since. Let’s continue to pray that in the midst of our businesses and adventures at Kids Can some would come to know Jesus as their personal Savior and Perspective Changer forever.

Chris LeMaster
Associate Director, SCYM

Summer Day Camp - More from Week 2

On Wednesday and Thursday this week, kids got busy getting their businesses started. On Wednesday they went shopping for supplies to make their products, and then Thursday started learning how to make their projects. So far they've created homemade dog biscuits, cinnamon scented candles, Ohio State kids' jewelry, and started photography projects. They're having a great time learning to make new things!

Kids also learned more from Pastor Missy Sipes about using our gifts and talents, heard from Andrew Lell of the Cerium Group, enjoyed recreation, games, and meals together, and are celebrating the 4th of July today with their families.

Next week we're looking forward to a visit from State Rep. Ross McGregor, lots more product-making, music with Jill Potter, and a field trip to Young's Jersey Dairy.

Summer Day Camp - Week 2

Kids Can! Summer Day Camp continues this week with 25 great campers grades K-5.

Yesterday (Monday) and today (Tuesday) the kids:
- learned about using the gifts and talents God has given us (thanks, Missy Sipes, children's pastor from First Church of the Nazarene!)
- divided into business groups, chose their business interest, developed business plans and named their businesses. Our four newly-created businesses are: Pizzazz Jewelry, Photo Dragon, Downtown Candle Co., and Camper Bakers. (Don't forget, you can buy their products on July 14-15 downtown in city hall plaza!)
- business treasurers took a great field trip to Fifth Third Bank, Red Coach Drive, to get mini-loans to start their businesses. They got to see the vault, send tubes to the drive-thru, and see inside an ATM. Thanks to Daren Cotter and Jessie Beck for making this neat trip happen!
- participated in hula hoop contest
- made some fun crafts
- and had fun playing at the playground and just being kids.

Summer Day Camp Day 4

Today the kids participated in:
-candle making

-created their own "lemonade stand" with a Junior Achievement class led by Denny Moritz and Michelle Detrick

-heard from Mike Spradlin of Spradlin Bros. Welding

-fun with water balloons

-enjoyed lunch contributed by Subway - Derr Rd.

Friday is bowling at Victory Lanes!

Summer Day Camp, Day 3

Today the kids participated in pony rides, baking cupcakes, music (thanks to Jill Potter) and jewelry making workshops. They also learned some Junior Achievement curriculum to prepare for their entrepreneurship projects! What a great day!

Summer Day Camp Day 2

On day 2, the kids were visited by Cowboy Lee and crew, and had fun singing songs and playing games!

Keep checking the blog for Summer Day Camp updates!

1st Day of Summer Day Camp!

Today the kids:

- learned about faith in God, and how it works even though we don't understand it - just like a remote control, a phone or a CD (thanks to Angela Boblitt for the great lesson!)

- did a fun Junior Achievement activity of planning their own community center, with all the things they like to do after school. (thanks to Michelle Detrick!)

- and had lots of other fun activities.

It was a great first day of camp!

Reflection From a Volunteer

There were many times I wanted to quit. Some weeks it seemed the kids didn't even care if we were there. My first year working with SCYM was full of ups and downs as we tried to earn the trust and respect of the teens. But they seemed so inconsistent, and it was hard to even get to know them.

But now three years later, I can't believe I have to leave them. Earlier this year, I felt for the first time that kids were coming because they really wanted to, and because they enjoyed spending time hanging out and talking with us. I even had one of the girls I've become close with tell me that we couldn't be replaced. I never thought we would hear that.

I've learned so much working with these kids the last three years. I've learned that youth ministry requires flexibility and patience. We had some nights that were so awful and we felt like failures. Then there were other nights that we were amazed at the work God was doing, in spite of ourselves. And it took almost three whole years to earn the trust of our kids. But it was so rewarding and worth it.

Moving on is very difficult for me. I'm going to be back in Columbus and am trying to find a nursing job. I want to get involved in my youth group back home to build into other teens, and I realize what a crucial time that was in my own life. It's hard leaving the kids here in Springfield that I have come to love, but I'm trusting. I'm trusting that God will continue to bring people into their life to love on them, laugh with them, and challenge them towards following Christ. I'm also trusting that much more of our impact remains unseen, and that these kids will be able to use what we taught and showed them later on when we're long gone. I pray these kids have been blessed by us, but I know I have truly been blessed by them.


Chelsea
SCYM Volunteer

STARS Kid Turned Volunteer

Hello, my name is Amber Smith. I'm 16 yrs. old and a junior at Springfield High School. I have two younger sisters, Rebecca and Megan. I've been a STARS participant from the first year it began. I started as a student and am now a volunteer. I came back as a volunteer because I wanted to give back to the program, I wanted to give the kids there what STARS gave me, which is: support, love, and family. The people at STARS have watched my sisters and I grow, they helped to make us who we are.

Also, I plan to go into social work, I want to talk to kids and help them through life's struggles. I want to get to them before they become drug users and pregnant teens. Pull them out of abusive homes or just homes where no one cares about them. I want to befriend them, give them advice, and let them know that someone cares about them. STARS gives me the opportunity to jump into that sooner.

Angie, the current director, taught me everything I need to know about volunteering and helps me by preparing me for my future profession. She taught me that no matter how tough your life is, the second you walk through that door, you have to let it go. It's not about you and your problems anymore, it's about the kids and theirs. You're there to help them through their tough times, be there for them, and teach them about God, academics, and life. You can help them by praising them or offering encouraging and kind words. Angie taught me that. Volunteering isn't just about gaining community service hours for high school, it's about helping others. You're helping to shape kid's future. For some kids, this is the only safe haven they have and I get to be a significant part in that. There is a girl at STARS that is a bit unruly. She gives Angie and the volunteers trouble sometimes. At first I thought that that was just the way she was, another annoying child. Well, my mom is friends with her grandfather and he told my mom a bit of her story. Her mom shoves her off on anyone she can, she's irresponsible and careless. They're living with strangers and one day, she found one of them dead. I know now that she's not another bratty kid, She's just a kid coping through something she should never have gone through and responding in the best way she can. So I try to be more careful in the judgments I make and how I treat the kids.

STARS is a blessing for everyone involved whether it be a volunteer, director, or student. I want to thank everyone there for what you've done for all of us, not just my family and I. I also want to let you know that I am looking forward to many more years together. Thank you and good day.

Amber Smith
Springfield High School Junior
STARS Volunteer

quick STARS update

We have been discussing the ministry, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ in our STARS program. In each bible study, the students have been very interested about the life of Jesus. I have been impressed with many questions and discussion that the students have brought up. We have had many opportunities to discuss salvation and how to accept the Lord as their personal Savior. I know that doors have been opened and seeds have been planted to further the kingdom of God.

Angie Bishop
STARS Director

Pray for "D"

There are kids in middle school that even I can be intimidated by. Often they are more mature both physically and emotionally (kind of), and they make it clear that they want nothing to do with you. Recently I started a new Wise Guys group at Clark Middle School and invited one such guy, "D" to join. Because his friends were invited he joined and we've been meeting for about 3 weeks now. I have to say that I've really been amazed at how much his demeanor and attitude toward me has changed in such a short time. I even get the sense that the front he put up before was really just a defense mechanism to hide the fact that he really wanted to be around me. Lately he's been saying things like, "I wish we could stay in here with you all day", and just the other day I dismissed them early but he came back just to hang out a little longer. Yesterday we had a talk about the pressure to have sex that is placed on him by his friends. I had the chance to tell him that a "real" man doesn't do things for other people but makes decisions that are right for him. I could tell during our discussion that we were really connecting and he genuinely valued my input. Those are good days. The reality is, that whether a guy puts up a tough front or not, most desire real relationships and respond when we make it clear that we care about their lives. Pray for "D", I invited him to Young Life and he is planning on coming next week for the first time. Pray that the gospel message would break through and touch his heart, leading him to Christ.

Chris LeMaster
Associate Director, SCYM

Do not worry. Do not worry. Do not worry.

Confession: I've been anxious lately.

I've been anxious about money. Not my money, but SCYM's. It's no secret - the economy stinks. The stock market is sagging. Jobs are being cut. Everyone is limping along. And nonprofits are no exception. We survive on donations, so when our donors are hurting, we feel the pinch.

So the Dessert is coming, one of our major fundraisers, and apparently I'm anxious.

I didn't even realize it, until I had an anxiety dream last night. (I have two versions that pop up from time to time - one is waiting tables at a restaurant full of people by myself, and the other is packing in slow motion for a trip that is just minutes away. This happened to be the waitress scenario.)

I am trying not to consciously worry, but deep in my subconscious, questions are plaguing me: Will our Dessert be a success? Will we bring in enough money? What will we cut if there's not enough? Will we ever see money from our DJFS contract? (That would be the slow-motion packing dream, but I digress.) And ultimately - will God provide?

Today the kids and I were driving home from lunch with my husband. I looked in the rearview mirror and saw my 3-year-old daughter, playing with a stuffed animal and making silly noises for her brother. We're starting to teach Ada a little about money - how it works, what you can buy with it, that sort of thing. And as I looked at her, I realized there is one thing as our kid that I never want her to do: worry about money. It's great if she understands how it works, and of course we want her to be wise about it, but I never, ever, ever want her to lie in bed at night thinking, "What if mommy and daddy can't pay the gas bill this month? What if there's no heat? What if there's just not enough money for what we need?"

And in a flash it hit me: If that's how I feel about my kids, how much more does God want the same for me. How much does he want me to have a deep sense of trust, not only that he will provide but that he knows what I - and SCYM - truly need.

This could just be a nice thought - but it also happens to be biblical. It seems to me that it's pretty much what Jesus was trying to say in Matthew 6:28-34:

See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Do not worry, Jesus says - three times in that chapter. I think that today I heard not just the words, but the heartfelt plea of a Father who not only longs for our childlike trust, but also has all the treasure in the world at his command.

No matter what the state of your life right now, no matter what the state of your economy - I pray you will embrace this truth with me, and truly rest in the promise of our Father to provide.

Faith Bosland
Executive Director

Join us for the Spring Dessert - Tues., March 3

We're looking forward to a great night next Tuesday, March 3! You'll hear from several students, the principal of one of the schools we serve, and our staff about what God is doing at SCYM. And of course, we'll have great desserts donated from local restaurants. (Along with fruit for anyone who is being virtuous.) The event starts at 7:00 and is at Courtyard Marriott in downtown Springfield.

You can RSVP via email (SCYMinistries@gmail.com) or leaving us a voice mail (937-325-6183). We look forward to seeing you there!

Resolutions

It’s a new year. This is a time for fresh starts and second chances. A lot of people make resolutions to better themselves. How long do those new year resolutions last? Why is it so difficult to stay committed to things that are meant to improve our lives? I know personally the reason for my own failures is because I set unrealistic goals. I set myself up to fail without even realizing it. Another reason I struggle is because I am the one trying to fix the “problem”. If I would just give these concerns and challenges completely over to God, things would be different. Only God has the power to make long-lasting changes in my life. So therefore, this new year I am making the commitment to put my entire life in the loving and capable hands of my Savior. With God all things are possible!! Many blessings to you during the year of 2009!

His Servant,
Angie Bishop
STARS and Summer Day Camp Director

Taking Advantage of a Teachable Moment

Recently on the way to an 8th grade basketball game (I'm the coach for Clark/Roosevelt) I overheard some of my players calling an Indian boy on our team a "terrorist". Knowing the two boys who were making the comments I understood that they were mostly joking around with the boy whom they both like. Yet as I sat there I sensed the Holy Spirit prompting me to take advantage of the opportunity, a teachable moment if you will. When we entered the locker room I told the kids we were having a team meeting. I gathered them around a marker board and began to write the words: Black White Indian. I then told them that I had been offended by some of the language that was used on the bus and wanted to talk about it. I asked them to shout out negative terms or thoughts that people have about each of the three races on the board before them. "Racist" they said for whites, "poor" they said for blacks, "terrorist" they said for Indian. I then had three boys come forward as representatives of each race and asked them to say things that described them. "Funny", "Hilarious", "Fun to be around", were some of their responses. I told them that language, whether joking or not, says a lot about how we choose to think about each other. A prejudice, I said, was when you chose to have negative views about all people in a race or ethnicity, because of a few bad apples. "I am a white man, and there are white men who are in the KKK, but I hope that when you met me you didn't think I was an angry racist bigot." I closed the time by saying that scripture says that we should treat others the way we would want to be treated and that we should do the same with the words we use toward each other. As I reflect on the whole interaction, which lasted about 5 minutes, I am thankful mostly that I was "there", that I was able to speak the truth of God into a teachable moment with these young men who have come to really like and respect me. I am convinced that many of them, especially the Muslim Indian, will remember my words for the rest of their lives. Thanks to everyone who supports SCYM and gives me the opportunity to be "there" in teachable moments like this.

Chris LeMaster
Associate Director

Elizabeth Baker

For the last few months, I have been leading a bible study once a week with 3 eighth graders from Clark Middle School. These ladies all attended Impact World Tour in the fall, and said afterwards that were interested in attending a bible study. Although I didn't know these ladies, I was involved at Clark WyldLife and was asked to start the study with these girls. Initially, I was very excited to meet these girls, but also a little intimidated by the idea. I had no idea what their church background or understanding of the Bible might be, and I was worried about how to explain something as complex as God and the Bible to a group of girls who might very possibly have no prior understanding of them! I was also curious how open and willing to interact these girls might be with me, since I was a complete stranger.

On the first day I met with the girls all my concerns with them not opening up were immediately relieved. These energetic, talkative young ladies were excited to meet me and wasted no time in getting to know one another. As I drove them over to Un Mundo for our bible study, they told me all sorts of information, from what their day was like at school to what they thought about my shoes and everything in between. I soon realized that rather than struggling to get them to open up, I might struggle with getting a word in edge wise!

This was my first time leading a Bible study for people younger than me, and my biggest concern was how to present the bible as being real and relevant, without dumbing it down and selling it short of the power of the words. As I was looking for material to study, I came a cross a lesson on the fruit of the Spirit. I thought that this would be a nice, easy topic to start with, since I could break it down easily and do just a couple every week. The girls seemed to enjoy the study, and were excited to come back every week. We have moved on to a new topic now, but I still ask them each week if they can remember all nine of the fruits of the spirit, and they've still got em! The most challenging thing for me is that while I was leading this study, each week the Spirit would convict my heart while I was speaking. Although I was starting with what I thought would be an "easy" topic, I realized that the Bible's truth cannot be lessened or simplified, and that it always has the power to teach and convict. The word was just as sharp and true in my heart, although I had heard it many times, as it was to these girls who were hearing it for the first time! I am so grateful for the opportunity I have with these ladies, and I ask that you would be praying both for these girls and for the work the Spirit is working in their hearts, and also to me, that I would be open and obedient to his pushing and prodding in my heart as I meet with these girls.

Elizabeth Baker
SCYM Volunteer