"Can you pray for my dead grandma?"

"Can you pray for my dead grandma?" asked Peter*. Ms. Marilyn, the teacher of this District 86 school Good News Club had just asked this children what they wanted to talk to God about. Ms. Marilyn's first reaction, to herself, was "yes. these children are new to God's Word." Ms. Marilyn explained to Peter that we cannot pray for someone who has already died, but we can pray for you and your family. As the weeks went by Ms. Marilyn and her team faithfully taught Peter and the rest of the group from God's Word explaining who HE is, of His love for them, how He paid the price for their sins, and how He wants us to get to know Him better.

I was able to visit this club the very last meeting. Ms. Marilyn had previous told me that these kids were new to the things of the Lord and how excited she and her team was to share God with these precious children. As I observed the club, I noticed that one boy in particular was answering most of the questions and being very engaged with the club time. Later I realized it was Peter. Peter has come along way. He understands who God is and how much God loves him. Peter, who at the beginning of Good News Club, had little understanding of the things of God, leaves GNC with a firm grasp on who God is. I am not sure where he stands with the Lord, but Peter is getting closer to God. Pray with me for Peter and other children just like him all over our chapter area. Peter is proof positive that the need to reach and evangelize children is greater than ever before.

*name has been changed.

The Warmth of God's Love

A.O. Marshall Elementary School was adopted last school year by Faith Bible Church. The team from Faith does a Good News Club in the Fall and again in the Spring. There is alot of time in between for this children to forget what they learned about God. So, I one day early this Fall I was brainstorming with the team from Faith about this concern and I presented them with the idea of making Good News Club scarfs to give to all the GNC kids. They loved the idea. Soon the Faith Bible Creative Ladies group began making the scarfs. They did a beautiful job on them too.

So the last meeting of the Fall GNC, the team passed the scarfs out to each child explaing, " Each time you wear this scraf this winter remember what you have learned and that God loves you. Also remember that Good News Club will be back." The kids loved them and took this picture for you to see. Pray with me that as these kids where these scarves this winter they will remember the truths they have learned about our Great God who loves them and us too!

Proverbs 22:6 Comes to Life

Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Tuesdays I am teaching a Good News Club with two dear friends at Troy Craughwell Elementary School. Each week a brother and sister come to the club. Along with this brother and sister come, mom attends with their 2 year old and an infant. It is so nice to see a family so supportive of this GNC and of each other. The brother and sister are always eager to come each week and tell us last week's memory verse. So yesterday, the kids walked in with mom and their 2 year old sibling in a stroller. The older two said Ephesians 2:13 very well. But, their two year old sibling started saying the prior week's verse Proverbs 3:5-6, perfectly. The mom says that she didn't directly teach him the verse, but he was around when she reviewed the verse with the older siblings. Imagine this two year old, learning this long verse perfectly. Wow! No one can tell me God does not work in the lives of children!

5-Day Club ends, but Lexi's desire to know God does not

I first met Lexi at 5-Day Club at her neighbors home in 2008 that I was teaching with one of our summer missionaries. Lexi came in and at first she was not sure whether or not she wanted to come. However, she stayed and came to club each day that week. As the week progressed, Lexi listened better but was very shy. By Friday of that week, Lexi responded to the gospel, but she was not really sure what she was doing. She prayed, but afterwards my teaching partner and I prayed and gave Lexi to God, knowing that He would help her understand more Himself.

The next year school, a friend invited Lexi to come to Good News Club. Lexi attended for several weeks toward the end of Good News Club. She seemed to really like coming and learning more about God. She was still shy, however. At the end of GNC that year she was still understanding more about God. I was very happy to see her come and that we were able to continue to minister to her.

This month, we came back to her school for GNC and Lexi was there the very first meeting with a huge smile on her face. She was talking and interacting more than I had ever seen before. When the invitation was given, Lexi responded. She told my teaching partner that she had never recieved Christ as Savior but she wanted to do so today. Afterwards, my teaching partner said she was certain Lexi understood and was now God's child. The next week we passed out Wonder Devotional books for the class to read their Bibles. Lexi was able to get a Bible too. Yesterday at club, Lexi comes running into Good News Club to tell me she had been reading her Bible and she found "the part about the burning bush and I highlighted it in my Bible." (We had used that passage as our Bible lesson the week before). Lexi has come full circle. She started not sure if she wanted to come, but now she came running into the arms of our Savior and is reading God's Word on her own.

I trust Lexi's story will encourage your heart as it does mine.

Silvia

Silvia came to 5-Day Club this week and the first thing that I saw was her smile. Typically in a club meeting, by God's enabling, I am able to remember most of the children's names. The same was true with this group, except for Silvia. There was just something about her that I could not remember her name. Today was the last day for the 5-Day Club that Silvia attends so I just had to call her by her name. Praise God I was able to remember her name.

Silvia responded to the invitation today and I was able to talk with her. She was already a believer in Jesus, however she lacked assurance. So I was able to show her some assurance verses from the Bible. She told me about her prayer life and by doing so opened up her world to me. This 9 year old girl is going through so much: separated parents, parents living with others and making difficult life choices, her brother living a life on the streets. As a result of this, she lives with her Aunt. In the midst of all this, there is Silvia is trying to live her life pleasing God. Her story broke my heart. Without God in her life and her Aunt and Grandpa, Silvia would probably end up in the same way as the others in the families.

I was able to enroll her in the CEF Mailbox Club. So now that the club is over, Silvia will be able to continue living for the Lord. Please join me in praying for Silvia. Silvia is a child I will not soon forget.

TJ: "I tried to pray but the gate was locked."

This week I met TJ at very well attended 5-Day Club this week. I first had a chance to talk with TJ when he came back to talk to me after responding to the invitation given to receive Christ as Savior. When I met him, I asked him why he came back, TJ said he wanted to talk to me about prayer. He said, "I prayed today but the gates of Heaven were locked and I didn't know the password." TJ really wanted to know how to pray but does not know how or fully understand. I had the opportunity to explain what prayer is and how to pray.

TJ is an example to all of us to never assume that children who attend church or other Christian clubs know or understand prayer. Let's strive to always teach children how to pray, because their maybe entire classrooms of "TJ's."

CYIA Training School Bonus Footage

Today one of our missionaries gave me a copy of the video I told you about from Talent at CYIA 2010. During talent night Dad, Dawn Wessell of CEF West Central, Glenda Dukey from CEF Northwest, and myself sang a quartet of "It's Me O' Lord." We had a fun time with this presentation. It was put together in about 20 minutes with no music. Dawn and I created our own harmony parts. So, as promised....here is the CEF of IL Staff Quartet or otherwise known as Dawn and the Pipps.

"God is the reason I do this"

Yesterday, the Will County Summer Missionaries and Dad and I started our first summer Day Camp. It is basically a 5-Day Club with lunch, crafts, puppets and more. We had six kids on our first day. One of the "nine," Demoryia taught the Bible lesson 1: Cain and Able. This was the first time I had seen her teach. She taught so well and so effectively. When Demoryia gave the invitation to receive Christ, Stephanie responded. Demoryia was able to be used of God to lead Stephanie to the Lord!!! Afterwords when she and I talked she said "God is the reason I do this." Praise HIM!!!

CYIA: Final Thoughts

I am back home now enjoying the things that I missed during training school: my own bed, mom's cooking, hot showers, and sleep. I am so greatful to our awesome God for allowing me to be apart of training our 21 5-Day Club missionaries this summer who will fan out all accross Illinois to reach children for Christ.

All total, when combined with Camp Good News Summer Staff, we reached over 350 boys and girls with the Gospel of Christ and 26 prayed to receive Christ as Savior. Praise God.

This years Summer Missionary Training School was the best SMTS that I have been apart of in my five years on staff with CEF. God answered prayer and gave us great student who had a desire to serve Him this summer.

As for my "nine," each of them did very well. It was my pleasure to work and train these young people pray for them as they will be ministering this summer
Teaching 5-Day Clubs in the Peoria Area: Aubrey, Gabrielle, Anajeona, and Jennifer
Teaching 5-Day Clubs in Champaign/Urbana: Whittaker
Teaching 5-day Clubs in Fox Valley: Marissa
Teaching 5-Day Clubs here in Will County: David, Karissa, and Demoriya

Join me in praying for them as they teach boys and girls accross these areas for Christ. Training School was long and challenging, but I am so greatful God chose to use me at the school and in the lives of the "nine."

Thanks for praying for us. I will continue to post on happenings in 5-Day Clubs here in Will County mutliple times a week.

CYIA Day 10

I was able to get a great night's sleep after doing three large loads of dishes in the camp kitchen yesterday. That brought back many memories of my eight years at Taco Bell.

The "seven" continue to strive for excellence, and even today they continue to amaze me at how well they are doing. Each of them in their own way is shining. I am so proud of them all. Two of the girls in the "seven" today are working very hard to finish all nine of their practicums. These two even now have two Bible lessons to complete tonight. I just spoke with them and they are determined to finish well and complete the practicums tonight. Their determination is an inspiriation to me.

5-Day Club at South Side Mission went well today. Our lesson was on Peter in Prision and the importance of prayer even when the situation seems impossible. The kids left knowing that prayer is vital in their life.

As a team we have been able to really make connections with the kids. In fact when we arrived at the mission, one the louder and boystrous boys, Damon, ran up to me, calling my name and and hugged me. It was a very tender moment given that Damon is about 11 years old. We were rushed at the end of club and had only 3 minutes to do the missionary project and the missionary story. However, David did very well in this brief time frame.

One of our CEF Staff members, Gail Williams recevied word today that her sister, who lives near Peoria was taken to the emgerncy room with a coloapsed lung. Her sister was later admitted and they have found a few other minor issues. At the direction of our state director, Gail is now done with her time at training school so she can spend with her sister. Please pray for Gail and her family.

One more day. Tomorrow is the last day of Summer Missionary Training School. One more 5-Day Club. Pray for our last club tomorrow and that we will end well.

I will write more tomorrow and share the final statistics of how many children we reached these two weeks plus I willl share with some closing thoughts on this year's training.

Untill tomorrow: please pray for the "seven:" Aubrey, Gabby, Demoryia, Whittaker, Anajeona, Karissa, David.

CYIA Day 8 and 9

Yesterday was such a full day, on top of the standard duties that I need do here at CYIA I had the annual Training School Talent Night. I apologize for not posting yesterday, but literally all my free time was packed from 6am to the end of the day at 10:30pm. My team did a good job yesterday at 5-Day Club. Reba, David, and Olivia taught their aspects of the club well. I am so pleased with my team. More practicums last night and then talent night. The show ran over, but it was good time; some of the staff even formed a quartet and sang "Standing in the need of Prayer." It was alot of fun and nice change of pace for me. I think there was a video taken of it. I will post it if I can get a copy.



Today my team did well our group at South Side Mission. We have the older kids and they are so much fun. They have really warmed up to us and are really listening to my team. I was so proud of David. We is a missionary from our Chapter. I have never seen him so engaged with the kids. He was connecting with them, having fun and taught the best I have ever seen him teach.

Karissa taught her very first Bible lesson today. She did well, she missed a few things. But her group leader this week says she is progressing well. After the club I asked her how her lesson went today and she said "It was fun" I am encouraged. Please keep praying for her.

Another one of my seven lead a child to Christ today!!! Also please pray for my seven as the pressure of all the practicums is setting in on them. Please pray for all of them to focus and remember why they are here at training school.

More tomorrow

CYIA: 5-Day Clubs Begin

Today we began our week of 5-day Clubs to three locations accross the Peoria Area. My team went to Peoria's South Side Mission. We had an older group of kids (ages 10-13). We had 16 kids in club. My team of Olivia, Rebecca, and David did so well. David, who is from Will County, taught the best Bible Lesson that I have ever seen him teach. Each of them did very well.

I have not yet heard how some of the other teams' 5-Day Clubs went, but I do know that several kids received Christ as Savior. I will let you know what happened when I find out.

Yesterday, another one of my "eight" went home because she had previously engaged repsonsibilies. I now have 'seven.' Four of them gave their first Bible lesson today. They all came away with success. Yes, they have things to work on, however, I am so proud of them.

All of the summer missionaries have more practicums tonight. I will be listening to many practicums tonight.

More tomorrow.l

CYIA Day 7

I know today is Sunday, however at here and Training School all the days seem to flow together. This morning we had services here at Camp. We had a great presentation from Beatrice Baakera from Uganda about her testimony, Uganda, and missions. She is an amazing woman of God and a great communicator.

We have had some down time this afternoon, giving all of us a small break before next week. Last night five of my "eight" passed their first practicums. The other three will do their practicums tonight. Starting tonight, each of them has a Bible Lesson Practicum and may one more practicum every evening.

Tomorrow morning I will take a team of three missionaries(Reba, Olivia, and David) to Peoria's South Side Mission. Pleaes pray as many of my "eight" will give their first Bible Lesson tomorrow.

More tomorrow

CYIA Day 6: Bible Lesson Practicums

Today my "eight" finished preparing for their Bible lessons on Cain and Able. One of my eight was very nervous and was unsure of himself. I spent some one on one time with him helping him. He knew most of the lesson but lacked one thing--confidence. After the his first run-through of the lesson, he looked and me and said "I never thought I could finish the lesson." I told him that he knew the information. He said "That made my day."

A few minutes ago he gave his practicum on Cain and Able and he passed. He just needs to work on his confidence. Please pray for him. He will be teaching this lesson Monday morning in 5-Day Club.

We also had a special time today with my dear friend, Bill Allison of Cadre Ministries. He lead a workshop called "Ministry is Relationships." He challenged us in many ways and had an impact on all of the students and the staff as well. He said that in ministry, to be effective, we need to love God and love others.

Please continue to pray for all of us as we get ready to go out to do 5-Day Clubs.

More tomorrow

More tomorrow.

CYIA Day 5: Nine becomes Eight

Today the first of my nine CYIAers left for home today. She had responsiblities at home that she had to keep. Now you can get your first look at my nine along with Beatrice Bakeer, Education Director for CEF of Uganda.

My nine started out-loud practicing their Bible Lessons today. For some of them it was a wake-up to see they need more study. Others found success in their first ever out loud practice of the Bible Lesson. It is a joy to watch the "light bulbs" go on in their heads when they start to put everything they have learned into practice.

Thier practicum on the first Bible is Sunday evening on lesson 1: Cain and Abel. I have encouraged them that if they are ready to do it tomorrow. By the end of the trainning school they will have done the following practicums: 5 Bible Lessons, a memory verse, Wordless Book, Counseling, Missions, and more.

Tomorrow all 19 of the CYIAs will be divided into 6 groups in which they will teach 5-Day Clubs starting tomorrow. Please keep my "eight": David, Whittaker, Anajeona, Aubrey, Gabrielle, Karissa, Demoryisa, Jennifer, in prayer as they taken on the bulk of their practicums tomorrow.

More tomorrow

CYIA Day 4: Long Day but Good Day

Last night I was able to get a good night's sleep. A first for me so far this week. Today has been a very long day. Along with my usual duties, I had 3 classes to teach plus a Bible Lesson Demonstration in the evening.

My first class was teaching my "nine," (the nine first year CYIAers) how to give an invitation to receive Christ in their Bible lesson. This was a new concept for all them, but by the end of the class all of them were able to give an invitation in front of the class. They have some work to do still to make them smooth and crisp, but they are on the right track.

My other two classes were on Teaching Music. In both sessions, one before lunch and one after lunch, we talked about why we sing songs in 5-Day Clubs and how to lead them. A lot of fun.

Tonight was my Bible Lesson Demonstration of the story of Naaman from 2 Kings 5. I love this lesson: it is one of my favorite lessons in CEF (next to Noah and Rehab). The lesson went well. It was the perfect length of time, a success for me since I can tend to go over a lot in lessons.

Tomorrow one of my nine leaves to go home because of previous responsibilities that she needs to keep at home.

Today was a long day, but a good one because I am seeing each day my students grow and learn more. I am looking forward to next week to see and hear how they do in real 5-Day Clubs.

Thanks for praying for me and my "nine" today. We very much appreciate your prayers. More tomorrow.

CYIA Day 3

Thanks for praying for us. It is definitely evident. All of the CYIAers are diving into their students with much enthusiasm. Today the returning summer missionaries did their memory verse practicums. Each of them did a great job. They were told, as apart of their TCE 1 classes, to write their own IPEAR (a method to teach the memory verse). The original IPEARs were creative and very well thought out.

The Camp Staff Wordless Book practicums happened today. Many of them passed their Wordless Book with flying colors. Others needed more work. After more practice some of these had success and passed their Wordless Book.

Tomorrow is a big day for me. I have 4 classes to teach and a Bible Lesson Demonstration to do. Thanks for reading and praying me, the rest of the staff, and the students through this training school.

CYIA Day 2: Practicums and More

Today all of the CYIA missionaries had their Wordless Book Practicums today. Many of them were very nervous as the came to give their presentation. This morning I listened to two returning missionaries give their practicums-- they each did an amazing job!

This afternoon my nine first year missionaries had their Wordless Book practicums. They too were nervous. By the end of the afternoon all nine successfully passed. These nine students are very eager to learn more and I am impressed by their zeal to learn. This is just the beginning for them. More, many more practicums to come.

My Bible Lesson Demonstration went well. Praise God. Thanks for praying and continue to pray. More classes tomorrow. The camp staff has their Wordles Book practicums tomorrow. I will evaluating them as well. More to come tomorrow. Until then.

CYIA Day 1: We're Here

I have just finished the first day of CEF of Illinois' Summer Missionary Training School. At this training school we are training young people to teach 5-Day Clubs or work at Camp Good News all summer. We have over 50 students here. While I am here I am the first year 5-Day Club missionary track leader. There are nine students in this track: Aubrey, Gabrielle, Karissa, Dave, Marissa, Demoryia, Jennifer, Whittaker, and Anajeona.

Today among other things, I taught all the CYIAers how to teach the Clean Page of the Wordless Book in two sessions. By the grace of God, the classes went well. The students had good questions and practiced well. Pray for them as they have their practicums on the Wordless Book at 9am for the returnees and 2 pm for the first year track missionaries.

Pray also for as I give a Bible Lesson Demonstartion for Cain and Abel.

Pray Pray Pray. I will share more tomorrow.

Good News Club approved in 24 hours!

Tuesday morning March 2, after meetings with the Minooka Bible Church GNC team and much prayer, I completed and delivered a room usage applicaton to have an after-school Good News Club at Three Rivers School in Channahon, Illinois. It had been a long time since Good News Clubs had been in Channahon Schools and I was unsure how the application would be recieved. So after coming back to the office, I emailed the team from Minooka Bible and we started praying. Typically the process for applying for a GNC takes weeks. So, I started praying and waiting. Then the next day as I was at another Good News Club my cell phone rang. It was a number I didn't recognize, however I answered. It was the secretary from Three Rivers School calling to tell me that the principal had approved the GNC. I hung up the phone rejoicing in God. 24 hours! This has never happened in my tenure as GNC coordinator. This shows me that God has some great things in store for this club. Pray with me now as we work on getting word out about GNC, since we are not able to pass out flyers directly to students.

The little things that make an impact

Name tags. Each of us has seen them, worn them, and probably not thought twice about them. Each child that attends Good News Club is given a name tag that reads "Jesus Loves ________" These name tags identify the children and reinforce the truth of God's never-ending love for the child. At the end of a GNC we give the children their name tags to keep, with the hope that they can remember GNC and God's love. However, I have never thought about just how God could use a little thing like a nametag, that is untill recently at Troy Crossroads GNC. At the end of last year, I gave the kids their nametags to keep, as is our normal practice. Several of last year's attenders returned this year to learn more about God. As I was greeting Cathy, she said "I was going to bring my nametag from home, but I forgot." I was so surprised and greatful. God had taken a little thing like a nametag to serve as a constant reminder to Cathy of God's love and the truths she learned in GNC through out an entire year. This is proof that God uses the little things in mighty ways.

"New CYIA Page" a report by spokes puppet Kenny

He's back! That's right. Kenny is here with reporting on a new feature on the Will County Chapter of CEF's website. Kenny is pleased to make this presentation possible. Take it away Kenny.

"Jesus homework?"

"Is this like Jesus homework?" asked young Damieon at Chaney Monge Good News Club last Thursday. This question came as we were introducing Wonder Devotional Books for the first time in this club. The Wonder Devotional Books are designed to help kids develop the habit of reading their Bibles daily. We explaining how the boys and girls may want to get up earlier each day to read their Bibles or do it after they come home from school. Then Damieon asked "Is this like Jesus homework?" My teaching partners and I were amazed by this. "Well yes it is like Jesus homework Damieon." Later on Damieon said that as soon as he got home he was going to do his "Jesus homework." May each of us approach reading God's Word with such immedianecy and excitment.

Good News Club as punishment????

Good News Club as a punishment? How can this be? The lead teacher of a GNC explains.

"There was a boy in our school who did not turn in his homework. The child's teacher decided that he needed to be punished for his behavior. So he sent the boy to Good News Club! This was a work of God. This child attended church off and on, but had never made a decision to ask Jesus to be his Savior from his sin. So, the day his teacher sent him to Good News Club, the child prayed to receive Jesus as Savior! He went on to attend nearly every meeting of Good News Club."

I have never heard a testimony like this one before. I am amazed at how God works. Praise God!

Introducing a Field Reporter for The Fox Flash

The Fox Flash is pleased to introduce to you my first feature reporter. Kenny. He will be adding his own personal toouch to happenings in my ministry. Well... here's Kenny.