CYIA--Day 3

The "10" are doing well today. Yolanda joined us a day late and has much to get caught up on. She is still learning the Wordless Book in the midst of memory verse and Bible lesson preparation classes. The rest of the "10" are really starting to open up. The each have unique and fun personalities. One of the aspects about this group I appreciate that they all understand why they are here at CYIA and are sure of what God is calling them to do.

Today we started classes on Bible lesson preparation and presentation. It was so awesome to watch them as they were learning. The look on their faces when the finally understood the concept of linking was priceless. (FYI: a link is a short transitional phrase from one concept to another).

The 10 are working on their first Bible lesson: Zaacheaus. For many of them, this is the first time they will be in a primary teaching role. On top of all this, then 1o learned how to teach a memory verse. I had them take turns practicing teaching the memory verse to each other and they did pretty well for the first time through.

I am very pleased with this group and I cannot wait to see what God is going to do through them this summer.

CYIA-- Day 2

Today was our first full day at CYIA. One of the major tasks on our plate today was the Wordless Book Practicums. The 9 first year CYIA students plus the 24 camp staff had the job of sharing the Wordless Book after learning it in just 24 hours. That is no easy task, but they rose to the occasion. We divided the students up into six groups. We had a few students who struggled the first time sharing the Wordless Book. Most of them had time to find success in this presentation.

I want to share with you the names of the 10 first year students: Josh, Tamarah, Holly, Vidi, Haleigh, Gloria, Caroline, Allison, Grace, and Yolanda. Tomorrow they begin learning how to take the truth's of the Wordless Book and inter-great them into Bible Lessons.

Our days are long -- starting at 6:15am and end at 10:00pm. But they are so worth it. The students here are so eager to learn and follow God's direction and path for their lives. Our chapel speaker this year is my good friend Bill Allison. God is using Bill to impact all of us and challenge us in God's Word.

So, we are doing well here today. Pray for the 10 first year students ( I'll call them the 1o from now on.)

I have three classes to teach tomorrow. Thanks for praying and readying . More tomorrow.

CYIA Day 1

My dad and I arrived safely yesterday here at Camp Good News for Summer Missionary Training School. We spent much of yesterday afternoon getting set up for the students' arrival. There are many details to attend to before they students arrive. We are expecting 45 students for the entire training school. (24 camp staff and 21 5-Day Club staff). I am in charge of the 13 first year CYIA/5-Day Club staff. For the first day or so the 24 camp staff plus the 13 CYIA will meet together for Wordless Book Classes. I will be teaching three classes today. Please keep us in prayer. There is so much yet to do. I need to go now. I will update you more tomorrow. Please keep us in prayer.

Judy: future Good News Club teacher

I first met Judy last year at Troy Shorewood Good News Club. Judy attended club each week faithfully. Last April, Judy prayed to receive Christ as her Savior! When the GNC started again at Judy's school, I instantly remembered her and welcomed her back to GNC. Last year we had a 12 children attending regularly. This year we could not pass out flyers so we have four children enrolled and Jackie is the only child to attend each week faithfully. We typically have two children in attendance. Most children would be daunted by a club of so few, but not Judy. She loves coming to Good News Club.

There is one other thing about GNC at Judy's school, we share our meeting room with another after-school program for the first 15 minutes of club. This other club is very large 60 plus children on one side of the cafeteria and Judy and three teachers on the other side. Judy sits waiting eagerly for GNC to start. She loves the extra attention she gets. Judy memorizes her verse each week and can tell you point by point what happened in last week's Bible lesson. We are teaching through Moses and the Exodus and there is alot of rich teaching for the saved child. Judy hangs on every word. This past week, Judy walked in, picked up the GNC theme song "Good News Good News" and said "I will be the teacher today." And she did! She taught the song to us. I have told her many times that she may be a GNC teacher herself one day.

For Judy, it does not matter who attends club, as long as she can come and learn more about her Lord and Savior!

"Teacher, you forgot Good News Club!"

Two weeks ago, Mary's parents signed her up to attend Good News Club at Troy Craughwell. At the start of club, we looked for Mary, but she never showed up at the library after school. We assumed she forgot and that she would come next week. It is often common to receive a registration form for a new child to GNC and not seem them for a week or two.

This past week, Mary's teacher came up to me and my teaching partners and asked if Mary was signed up. I double checked the records and said she was enrolled in GNC. The teacher told us that she forgot to remind Mary last week to go the GNC. The next morning, Mary walked right into her classroom and said " Teacher, you forgot about Good News Club!" So Mary joined us for the this week. She listened intently throughout the club and she was clearly having a blast. After the Bible lesson, Mary responded to the invitation to receive Christ. She asked for a Bible and was so excited. In the last few moments of club, a school staff member walked in and asked when club was over. Mary's brother and sister wanted to come to club as well! At the end of club, Mary left her Bible and I ran it out to her and she smiled wide when I gave it to her. She may have forgot about GNC, but she will not soon forget that she is now apart of God's family.

Food for thought from a 6 year old

At Good News Club at Nadia's school, we are teaching through the Life of Christ 4 series. This week, our lesson was on the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ. While explaining the events of our Savior's death on the cross, the GNC teacher commented on how terrible the events were and how dare these people, God's creation, do this to Him. Nadia, age 6, raises her hand and said "They're just being sinners!"

As soon as she said that I literally stopped. I was amazed and marveled at the profound statment Nadia made. It's true. The people who crucified Jesus were sinners and acted that way because they were acting out of their sin nature. I am forever amazed at how God works in the lives of the children we reach and how He uses them to teach me.

Brady: a bold witness for the Lord

A smiling Brady came back to talk with me after I gave the invitation to receive Christ as Savior. I was surprised to see Brady come back because I knew he has already received Christ as Savior. He has been coming to GNC faithfully this Fall and Spring. He has attending 5-Day Club at his church every summer for the last three summers. He is also enrolled in the CEF Mailbox Club and loves it. So, when Brady sat down I asked him what he wanted to talk to me about. Brady told me he had just been baptized the week before. As the other kids came back to us, Brady said "I want to stay and talk with kids who come back. I want to tell them what it is like to live for the Lord." I was blown away by that statement. Praise God for the work He is doing in 8 year old Brady's heart.