The HARVEST is plentiful, but the workers are few...

The past couple of weeks have been bittersweet for us as we say goodbye to Mandy. Tonight was the official going away party for her. We ate at the Pizza Ranch and enjoyed a few rounds of bowling. It's always a hoot hanging out with these chicas!!

I must say it has been such a blessing to have met Mandy and have her as a part of this experience. One of the greatest blessings of my life has been this youth group and these girls. We've been meeting now for over a year and truly our little group has become like a family. We have seen the girls grow in the Lord immensely, and every week a seed is planted in their hearts, and God's word will never return void.

Also, these past couple weeks in our Rewired series, we've been talking a lot with the girls about inherrant sin and the need for Jesus. I truly want them to see how gracious God is, and that it is truly grace through faith that saves and that it is not of ourselves. I also want them to know how much He truly loves them. I pray that they'd feel even an iota of that love through us as leaders. My most earnest prayer is that they'd see Christ in us. That they would "taste and see that the Lord is good..."

God has been dealing with me a lot lately as well. It would be true to say that the enemy has tried very hard for the past year to steer me in the wrong direction, he attacks those who he knows God is trying to use. He tries to lie to us. I am now more determined than ever that I will not let his ploys and lies cause me to give up or give in. I know that He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world. I will continue to press on not only because God has called me to this, but I also do it for all the hugs, the laughter and the sound of these young ones' sweet voices singing praise to the Most High. How thankful I am that God uses broken imperfect people like me to accomplish his purposes. I nearly broke down in tears the other night while we were worshiping, (not only because the girls and I will miss Mandy's wonderful guitar playing) but because the sound of their voices and their praise to God was so sweet. And I was so thankful for this opportunity to be a part of their lives.

Jesus said, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. " (Matt 9:37-38)

I desire to continue bringing the good news of the gospel to these kids. Healing and salvation in their lives, their families' lives and their in their community can only come from the Lord Jesus Christ. It starts with the youth. But I cannot undertake this effort alone. It is not safe for me to drive through the 'housing' at night by myself. I am asking for anyone who is even remotely interested to seriously consider serving the kids of Lake Andes with me. All it requires is a few hours of your time to hugely impact the lives of these kids forever.

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send ME!' " Isaiah 6:8

REWIRED

Well,
I haven't posted to this blog in a while because I forgot my password and I finally just remembered it! Ha. SoRrY!

Well, we are continuing to meet every Wednesday with the gals. This year we've been doing a series called Rewired. It is all about wiring our brains to see the world from a Christian perspective. It has been going very well. It is so amazing to see how much the girls have grown since we started this a year ago. They are really comprehending a lot of what is taught in this series. The series involves using a DVD to teach the lessons-it has video clips and teaching screens which are really helpful! This week we learned about the cosmic battle of good vs. evil, and how we are involved in that battle.

Grateful for This Opportunity:

I cannot express truly how grateful I am for the opportunity to be a part of these girls' lives. They are such awesome kids. We have a core group of girls that has been very faithful in attending youth group and being a part of the activities. I think back to a year ago when we handed out Bibles to any girl who did not have one...most received a Bible from us. We covered the basics: how to look up scripture and use your Bible ect. Now they are quite good at looking up scriptures when I ask them!

For those who are not familiar with what we do: Last year Mandy Chaplin and I decided it would be fun to do a Wednesday night youth group for the older kids in the Lake Andes/Pickstown area. So we did! We get our big blue van roaring every Wednesday and start picking up the girls at about 6pm. It usually takes at least 45 minutes to do the route. We take them to the church in Pickstown which has so graciously allowed us to use their facility, they even fixed up a room specifically for us to use. It is very cozy and so cute! We generally start the session with Praise and Worship, Mandy on guitar. The girls love to sing! We often have snacks hot cocoa or whatever treat we decide to bring. We have a lesson, and then if we have time we play games (which the kids LOVE). This year we have spent a lot more time doing the lesson so we haven't been doing as many games. Also, we sometimes take special trips or have special parties with the girls: bowling, going to concerts, lock-ins, campouts, and boating! (It is fun to re-live adolescence at times with these gals!) We even took a trip to Minneapolis to attend Revolve. I feel like these activities have really made a lasting impact on the girls and created memories they will cherish for life.

The sad but exciting news this year is that Mandy is going to be moving to SINGAPORE! We are excited for her new adventure. But we will miss her so much! I am in prayer for workers to rise up and help me in this endeavor to disciple these young girls. It has, at times, been the joy of my life, keeping me grounded and accountable. I have so much fun with the kids! God is doing mighty things and it only takes one person to take action. I am also praying for workers for Sunday School because that is where it all begins. I am praying that area churches with a passion to spread the Word will rise up to bring to word to the kids in Lake Andes. God can and will start a revival , but he needs us to be vessels for him to work through. I am humbled that he would choose me...I am not worthy and I'm very imperfect. But, He uses me nonetheless.

Long before I was given the opportunity to be a part of this endeavor, I prayed that God would move mightily among the Dakota and Lakota nations in our area. I never knew he'd let me be involved so mightily with their youth. I know that God's word does not return void. I pray that these kids would grow up with the knowledge and love of the Lord and spread it throughout our area! How awesome!

"And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands." Psalm 90: 17