Our Kids are Missionaries!

I visit Westside Elementary each Wednesday for tutoring sessions with some of our kids and to have lunch with as many of them as possible. As I walk the halls of the school or sit in the lunchroom, I am constantly hearing, "Miss Jackie, Miss Jackie!!!" as the kids from Young America recognize me and run to get a hug. (Confession - I do get as much from these visits as they do!!!)



Of course, their classmates want to know who I am and what Young America is all about. I can't help but smile as I hear the kids explain what they do at Young America, or "church", as they so often call our gatherings. They are so proud that they are part of this special club and their enthusiasm is infectious! I received 2 notes with kid's names and addresses written on lunchroom napkins begging to come to our church. Other children are constantly asking, "Are you going to pick me up this week and take me to church, too?"



I am seeing for myself how the crowd following Jesus must have looked as it grew from a small group of twelve to tens then hundreds then thousands. What an opportunity God has placed in front of us! Praise God our kids feel loved by the Young America staff and are making those around them want to be a part of this special community.



To the crew at Young America, keep on shining and being a "witness to the light" (John 1:6-9). You are changing lives and those changed lives will change lives and then .....

Words from the church van!

Our van driver, was sick Wednesday night, so I ran an abreviated route at the last minute, yet still managed to pick up a full load. I really want to be positive, but I feel I need to share some random things I noticed on the way to and from church.

1. "We have power again... (when I picked them up) Look Nathan, our lights are on!!! (when I dropped them off)

2. "she is getting so big!" (referring to 15 yr old single teenage expecting mother)

3. "... he drove me to school drunk again. We were doing like 80 around the parking lot of the school"

4. "we have two gangs on our street... the bloods and the crips... I live by the bloods... don't wear blue when you come over"

5. "Why are they saying you think the baby is yours... I didn't say that, She's lying... I would like to get a blood test though..."

6. Phone call: "Nathan, when are you bringing them home... In about 30 min's, why?... Their step dad trapped their mom in the bathroom and put a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her... she's hurt and very upset, he's in the back of the cop car" (They kept asking me to pray for them when I dropped them off)

7. You better watch out for her... you don't want her diseases



That is just a VERY small portion of what I heard, but I can't write any more. I'm just sick thinking about all these kids go through every day. The sermon was, "God is in Control" from Proverbs 16:4. The point was that God wins in the end, so get on board with his will and he will bless your life... He has a plan for your life... His plans are best! I pray they listened.



Dear Jesus,
Please open their hearts and minds to see that it doesn't have to be like this. Show them your hope, give them some peace... Rescue them please! I am so helpless. All I can do is point them to You! I can't do this without You... but You CAN do this through me... please allow me to reach them... Enable me to reach them.