Summer Supervisors

The Siblings from L to R: Samantha, Ada (Dio’s Sister-just visiting),
Diosdado Portugal and (another clubber-Samantha’s Sister) Savannah.

Please pray for Dio, our CYIA Supervisor, and not only him but for another leader God may call to help with CYIA this summer.

Communicating for Commitment

Our recruiting season for Christian Youth In Action (CYIA) is now underway. Again, I am looking forward to training a committed group of new students to teach the 5-Day Clubs this summer.
While we hope to see familiar faces return, we know the majority of our students will be new to the program. Those who participated last year, are now in college and busy with full-time jobs or will be attending summer courses.
Please pray especially that God would move in the hearts of new students to join us. Pray also for me, as I try to communicate the value of ministering to children and the positive impact it could have in their personal lives. Plenty of other activities compete for their time but, serving in the CYIA program will help them develop a closer relationship with Christ.

When Investing Dollars Makes Sense

No doubt, these are difficult times economically. I have noticed how many have been laid off and are struggling to provide for themselves and their families. As a missionary, I am not exempt from financial problems. While it could be much worse, I have noticed that my own ministry support has been down by just under $700 in the first quarter.
Recently, I was reminded that God has offered us eternal rewards and an inheritance that “can never perish, spoil or fade”(1 Peter 1:3-4). Who would consider giving to others in these tough times? Only those who have a totally different understanding of reality. Many of you, who have continued to give generously, are not immune to the economic crisis either. But you have entrusted yourselves to God and acknowledge that you are investing in what lasts for eternity. In 2 Corinthians 8:9 Paul reminds us, “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” I deeply appreciate those of you who have continued to give during this time. It shows you understand that investing your dollars in ministry, just makes the most sense.

The Winning Touch-down

I wasn’t much into sports through-out high school, especially football. However, when one P.E. Teacher taught us the “spiral punt,” I discovered a skill I never knew I had. That teacher helped me discover something I was good at and a new confidence came with it. I could finally contribute something to the team.
I never had a real coaching experience, until I joined the Kidology Coaching Program. Originally, when I joined the team of children’s ministry, I had a lot to learn. I didn’t realize I was playing the wrong position; trying to perform out of my weakest areas. Foul-ing up early on, cost me my confidence and made me think seriously about dropping out. But God was not finished with me yet and I was introduced to Coach Barney Kinard
Having a Ministry/Career Coach is like gaining yardage before you even start the game. Coach Barney got to know my skills, assessed the problem, and assigned me to a new position. The extra help meant I could come out ahead. Coach discovered my weak areas before my opponent did and gave me a strategy to handle them.
The Kidology Program covered a variety of topics. I learned leadership, administration and organizational skills. It covered monitoring and evaluating your own progress. I learned to make a goal and was challenged to follow through. During practice, I honed public speaking and learned to develop children’s outreach programs. Through this, I developed a Clowning Business and acquired the applicable skills of characterization, performing gospel illusions and balloon sculpture. In the midst of all this, I began to value having more time by myself to read books and pray daily. I began to understand that I could make good life decisions after personal retreat time away with God. Also developing was a network of teammates to cheer me on—many of whom also taught me skills out of their experiences. Before I knew it, I was in the first-string rather than just warming the bench!
The greatest blessing is having a Coach who is committed to making me a key player. Life and ministry are complicated enough without having to figure out the game-plan all by myself. Kidology Coaching was one of the best things I have ever done! God knew exactly what I needed and His provision for me was the winning touchdown.

"Where two or more are gathered . . . "

Does this count?

Keeping Up the Good Work

After years of faithful prayers, many public schools are opening their doors to After School Good News Clubs (ASGNC’s), especially as parents and volunteers see them in action.
Sue Myers, a CEF volunteer and retired teacher, was helping with the younger class at our fifth club, Wittmann School in Cerritos. The Wittmann Club had been meeting for years but last year decided to partner with CEF as one of our school clubs. It grew so fast in the fall of 2008 that by January 2009 they had to divide the group into three classes, which contain 25 kids each!
Based on that successful experience, Sue started pursuing a club at Palms Elementary School in Lakewood. She discovered that their First Grade Teacher, Mrs. Bogdonavich-affectionately referred to as Mrs. B- is also a Christian. Mrs. B wanted to start a Club in her own classroom. Palms became our sixth school club on December 2nd with 16 kids immediately attending. Then on February 19th, we helped Mrs. Porter, the Second Grade Teacher at Los Cerritos School in Long Beach, to start our seventh new club. We had been talking to her since November and the school finally gave approval.
That same week, we heard from Sue about yet another school contact. She had just met Mr. Swingle, a Christian teacher at Hawaiian School in Hawaiian Gardens. He was interested in starting a club right away in his classroom too! We are working hard, getting everything ready, so the start date for our eighth club can be March 9th.
Please continue to pray for our schools. Only God can open hearts, paving the way for a miracle of God’s perfect timing. Over 50 children have come to Christ just through the clubs mentioned above. We want to make use of our freedoms, while the door remains open. We will be keeping up the good work and are confident that God is being glorified. Amen!

My Little Balloon Babes

My two nieces,—or “little heart-stealers”—as I have come to call them, are a big part of my life and bring lots of joy! They love to dance, play puzzles and dress up whenever they have spare time.Alyssa is almost 4 and will readily tell you her birthday is coming in April. Brianna, who shares her sisters birthday month, is ready to turn 2! They have plenty of energy and frequently wear out the adults long before bedtime. They cruise around the house at “kid-speed” and invent their own mischief. Once, Bob found them hiding behind Alyssa’s bed, giggling and devouring jellybeans together. Alyssa likes to dress herself and insists on certain combinations of colors, whether they match or not. She likes to dress Brianna, though it is sometimes by force. She takes pleasure in leading her around the house by a piece of elastic pretending they are playing a game. To my surprise, most of the time, Brianna doesn’t seem to mind.
Brianna copies whatever she sees her sister do. Recently, I made balloon hats for both girls. We decided to take a picture of Alyssa against the door of our friend’s house. When I got Brianna’s hat made, she instinctively went over and stood by the door and smiled, as if to say, “I’m ready, you can take my picture now too.” It’s not hard to see why my heart melts for my little balloon babes.

Million $ Question

In early February, I was blessed to attend the Children’s Pastor’s Conference (CPC) in San Diego. This was a refreshing time where I got to learn, make new friends and be renewed. I roomed with a Children’s Worker from Kansas named Sharla (in left picture on far right). She is a full-time wife and mom, works as a public school teacher, and leads the children’s ministries at her church. It was fun to share our lives and ideas.
You may not know that I am member of http://www.kidology.org/, the most trafficked children’s ministry website on the internet. Karl Bastian, (pictured with me on the right) the Kidologist who started the website, was speaking at CPC and introduced me to other site members also attending. Karl invited us all to have dinner together which was a highlight.
During his workshop, Karl asked his million dollar question for me at CPC. “What do you love most about ministering to children?” That was a key question and the answer re-affirmed God’s call on my life. My desire is to be used exactly as He has gifted me in relational ministry to children. I left, feeling empowered to focus on and pursue what He has called me to accomplish. Thanks for your prayers. Together we are making a difference!