Rosamond
There is nothing about Street Reach that is quite as bitter
or as sweet as the final week of Bible Club. Knowing that this will be the last
time I see this kids for at least a year (if not forever) adds a weight to my
heart and mind which cannot be expressed adequately enough. However, the
completion of the summer 2014’s story–seeing the resolution and the outcome
of this painting of God’s–illuminates the work that God has been doing all
summer long so that we may see it and rejoice. The finality of Rosamond’s story
includes too many kids to properly say good bye to, as we had 100 kids
again on this past Thursday–a testimony to the love that was continually
poured out by churches throughout the summer, because otherwise these kids would not
have continued to come back. It includes 263 that have attended Rosamond Bible Club at least once in the summer and the salvation of 7 of those children. It
includes the church group from Marathon who helped to finish week 9 at Street
Reach strong pulling so many kids with only 7 people. It includes a
neighborhood that is broken but is being made new piece by piece, person by
person, year by year, and summer by summer. As we turn this final page in this
small portion of God’s great epic, we remember the children that we have come to
love so much, but were so much more loved by God long before we ever saw their
faces. We pray that God will continue HIS ministry to them throughout the
school year, opening eyes and changing hearts toward the righteousness made
manifest in Christ Jesus for all who believe. We pray for the teams that will
be hand-picked by God to come in and continue His harvest work next summer. And
we pray for the Kingdom of God, that it would enter the strongholds of Satan
still hiding within Memphis. That it would bind up the forces of evil and
plunder the goods that are rightfully God’s. Above all, may God’s will be done
here just as it is in heaven. Signing off for the summer, it has been great, it
has been real, it has been blessed. Good bye.
-Kaden
National
The
love poured out and into National this week was deep and wide. I am reminded of
the words of John in his first letter. He says God is love and if we abide
in love we abide in God. We know love because of Jesus Christ being sent into
this world being made manifest among us. The love Christ had for us was so deep
that he laid down his life for us on the cross. Not only when we believe this,
but when we tell others, God’s love abides in us and his love is perfected within us. (1
John 4:7-13).
-Gaby
Guernsey
-Holly
Whittier
We could NOT have imagined a better final week for our kids at Whittier! The Lord provided the small, yet powerful and energetic, team from Calvary (Connections) to love on and minister to our kids before they headed back to school. Each day in Bible story, our kids loved singing songs about God’s gifts to us, while learning and memorizing Scripture to go along with each lesson. It was incredible to see our kids be able to repeat each day’s song and verse, as it began to sink in to each of their hearts. We are confident that the Lord will remind them of these verses when they are in need of these gifts, and that they will be able to share these truths with their families and friends as well. Each team member displayed God’s love passionately, as they walked each route and lead each station with confidence and enthusiasm. Over fifty precious children attended Bible Club for our final day, as final hugs were given and last goodbyes were said. However, on Sunday, Teal and I had the privilege to return to the Whittier Bible Club site and walk through it one last time, reflecting and meditating on all that the Lord had done in and through us. After praying for our kids, their families, and their futures, we planted a wooden cross on the lot with our final prayer for our kids written on it, as well as each child’s name who attended Bible Club this summer. We are confident that the work that the Lord did this summer through each team member, each child, each staff member, and each community member will continue. The seeds that were planted will continue to grow, the plants that were watered will continue to bloom, and there will be many more harvests to come, if only we are faithful to Him and His work. We have no doubt that missionaries will be raised up from these streets, and the Lord will continue to use these kids at witnesses for Him. Thank you to each and every team member who boldly stepped foot on Whittier Road in the Name of Jesus Christ for the past nine weeks. Thank you for each Bible story that was taught, each song that was sang, each hug that was given, and each heart that was transformed due to team members being willing to answer the call and bravely go into the darkest places, battling on the front lines for these children. We are so grateful for your willingness to come and serve in Memphis, giving of yourselves for the sake of His Great Name. However, we know that the Lord is the one who orchestrated each divine appointment and gave each of us the strength to fight in His Name. Therefore, ALL praise and glory be ONLY “to Him that is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine, according to HIS power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). We are amazed at His work this summer, and cannot wait to see the plans that He has for Whittier next summer!
-Emily
Leahy's
-Nicki
Scripture speaks to us so plainly in regard to mission work. God commands us to take care of widows and orphans, to give to the poor, to love our neighbor. He also shows us that as we make disciples, THEY will rise up to take our place and advance His kingdom even further than we could ever imagine. Our Bible Club kids are those whom Isaiah speaks of, and they are being trained to want and know God more and to speak the truth in love in their community. They are being called not to conform but to be transformed.
The work is not over. Our kids are still living in the middle of a war zone that exists upon drugs, gangs, violence, prostitution, addiction, and all kinds of sin and darkness. But we can rejoice knowing that Jesus Christ is alive and living in the streets of Memphis. God has a plan for the children and families of Memphis. He is bringing them to Himself in a great multitude, making them disciples of Christ and missionaries for the Kingdom. The work done this summer has made an eternal impact on the souls of so many in our community. We wait expectantly to see how God will continue to work in this place.
This summer, 2,038 kids came to Bible Clubs. This is an amazing number that can only be explained by the power of God. Even more beautifully, He brought 52 children into a personal, saving relationship with Himself. Many of these children were discipled in our discipleship program, and we know they are already taking the Word back home and to the streets. Finally, many of our Bible Club kids from this past summer have enrolled or are enrolling in our school, Brinkley Heights Urban Academy. Here, they will be in an environment infused with the love of Christ every day.
God makes all of this possible, but we would not be able to act as the hands and feet of Jesus to the capacity that we do without the teams who have come to serve this summer, as well as those who have been steadfast prayer warriors and financial supporters. We thank each and every one of you from the bottom of our hearts. The work you have put in and the love you have poured out is priceless.
This summer, 2,038 kids came to Bible Clubs. This is an amazing number that can only be explained by the power of God. Even more beautifully, He brought 52 children into a personal, saving relationship with Himself. Many of these children were discipled in our discipleship program, and we know they are already taking the Word back home and to the streets. Finally, many of our Bible Club kids from this past summer have enrolled or are enrolling in our school, Brinkley Heights Urban Academy. Here, they will be in an environment infused with the love of Christ every day.
God makes all of this possible, but we would not be able to act as the hands and feet of Jesus to the capacity that we do without the teams who have come to serve this summer, as well as those who have been steadfast prayer warriors and financial supporters. We thank each and every one of you from the bottom of our hearts. The work you have put in and the love you have poured out is priceless.
To all those who have come alongside Street Reach to serve this summer, thank you for answering the call.