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.