While We Were Yet Sinners

Tonight we had 5 girls attend youth group. Laurel, Aurora, Clarice, Shenah, and Amanda all came and weathered the bitter cold to learn about the Lord. I am so thankful for the faithfulness of our "regulars". They are such a joy! I am happy that our newcomer, Laurel, was able to come tonight, too. I think she enjoyed herself. She was waiting outside for us when we came to pick her up.

This week our lesson was all about our savior Jesus. We've learned about the human condition and how we are all sinful inherently, and now we see why we needed Jesus to die for us.

I really enjoyed the videos tonight. The first video we watched was a montage of images of Jesus paying the price for us on the cross. After the video, each girl was to draw or write down what came to mind after seeing the images. We then talked again about the fall of man, reading from Genesis. The last video was called "Friend". It was a very deep video portraying a prisoner on death row who is about to be executed. You then see a prison guard taking the prisoner to the execution. The prison guard swaps places with the prisoner--the prisoner is saved and the guard is executed. The whole point of the video was based on Romans 5:6-8. What kind of friend would be willing to take your place in death? One already has - Christ.

We really discussed the lesson in depth tonight which I thought was great. Normally our sessions are over at 8pm or a little after, but when we finally finished the lesson it was 8:45!

Singing was not the same without Mandy on guitar. Rachel was also there tonight (but she forgot her guitar). She added nice harmony which was great. Hot chocolate and oreos (the usual) were also enjoyed by all.

Next time we have group I want to engage the girls in some clean up activity for our room. It severly needs to be de-cluttered and cleaned. But I love the coziness of the place...I wonder if there is anywhere I can move that pool table to. Hmmm...

Well, blessings to all! It was nice to see the girls again. I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve them.

"Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:7-8

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