Teacher?

The founder of CEF, Mr. Overholtzer, wanted to be saved at age 12, but was told he was too young. When he accepted Christ as an adult, he accepted his predecessors' views on child conversion. Until one day he read a sermon by Charles Spurgeon that said, "A child of five, if properly instructed, can as truly believe and be regenerated as an adult." Skeptical, he tested the theory on two neighborhood girls, who readily received Christ. Shocked, he told them not to tell anyone and waited to see what would happen. Some time later, the girls' mother visited him, saying that even though her daughters had not told her anything, she had seen a big change in their lives. The ministry of CEF was born.

Over 70 years later, I joined CEF for a missions trip, ignorant of the statistics that 85% of today's Christians accepted Christ by age 14 and clueless of the importance of reaching the age group most successsful at adopting faith like a child. It wasn't long before I saw how eager children are for God and heard many more stories about how the changed lives of children can be the strongest witness for adults. Still, I had forgotten that the children I teach could also touch my spirit.

In December as I concluded a weekly Good News Club lesson on Elisha, I told the children that he died and went to be with God. One child raised her hand and siad, "So he didn't really die, right? He just moved." The next day my grandmother died, and this girl's words came immediately to mind. These children are not just students, but are my brothers and sisters in the Lord, my comrades in battle, and my encouragement to trust God and His promises.

Praises and Prayer Requests:
I will raise support and teach a Good News Club in Indians for the next few weeks.

March 15-April 16, I will complete the Children's Ministries Institute at CEF headquarters in Missouri.

On April 18, I will return to Kansas to continue raising support.

We are working on my possible role in summer ministry, including the chance to serve as a guest missionary at Kansas' CYIA (a ministry in which teens receive training and then teach 5-Day Clubs for children) and to participate in Boston 2010 (a ministry in which CEF workers from all over the country will gather to ignite long-term CEF ministry in Boston by partnering with local churches to teach 5-Day Clubs). We are also working to set up my U.S. internship (the next step toward beginning my ministry in Burkina Faso), which will likely be in Kentucky.

Please join with me in praising God for these opportunites and praying for His guidance.