Vacation Bible School

Math Champs!

Snapshots from the Willow Pond Math Champs! Camp!

-- Behind Every Door

A Privilege to Help

I had the privilege to invite three of the Real Men of Willow Pond to the Father's House. Roddrick, Curtis, Charles, and I ate pizza, played video games, and swam.  The boys also went to church with me.  Church began with singing, and I told the boys they did not have to sing if they did not want to.  Roddrick, Curtis, and Charles chose to draw during the singing with one of the other kids in our church.

Rainbows, animals, and cars were among some of the pictures, but what caught my eye was what Curtis and Charles were drawing.  Curtis had drawn "We, Us, Jesus" on his paper. Charles had drawn "We (Heart) Jesus" on his paper.

 

After the service, the boys came to Sunday School.  I was teaching, and we talked about the fruit of the Spirit and Love.  We went through 1 Corinthians 13 and how we could each apply it to our life.  Quickly, all of the kids in the class were involved in the conversation.

The next day at Kids Club, Roddrick told me that his brother, Charles, wanted to change and follow Jesus.  Suzanne found Charles to ask why he wanted to follow Jesus.  Charles replied, "I want to live a good life.  I don't want to keep doing the bad things I do."

Wow!  Charles and I have begun to read and discuss Psalms during the reading time in the Community Center at Willow Pond.  I can see the hunger in Charles to change.  I can see his desire to grow up.  And, I can see the importance of having someone in your life, who with the help of God, can show you how to do that.  I feel privileged.

-- Rickey Fanning

Miracle at Willow Pond

I work closely with Rickey Fanning at Willow Pond.  In addition to working with the kids, I spend a fair amount of time caring for the women who live at Willow Pond.  About two months ago, I made a new friend named Hattie outside the Community Center.  Hattie has rheumatoid arthritis, and for several years she has been unable to write or use her hands to do many things.  I prayed that God would heal my new friend's hands, and He did. Hattie went home the night we met and wrote a long letter to her son, who she had not been able to communicate with in some time.

I saw Hattie several weeks later at the McDonald's across the street from the apartments. I was there with some of the kids, and she was there with another resident, Jacqueline. As I approached them, Hattie held up a fist and said, "you better watch out.  I could knock you out." Surprised at the comment, I asked her why she said that. She laughed and said, "I haven't been able to make a fist in years, but ever since you prayed for me I can make one and my hand is getting stronger and stronger." Hattie turned to Jaqueline and said, "for years I have been signing my name with an X because it was too difficult to sign my name.  But now I am writing all the time. God is awesome!"

-- Suzanne Wallace

Ministry Partners at Willow Pond

We are so thankful and excited to welcome the Vickery Meadow Ministry team to Willow Pond!  These friends have begun planting home churches in apartments...encouraging residents with the Good News of the love of God.  Please join us in praying for them!