The furthest kid out

Wow. So We just finished club not to long ago. And I just wanted to share a story with you guys to encourage you. Sorry it's kinda long so bear with me. So many of you know I have been tutoring for the AVID program since the beginning of this school year and while doing that I met this student named Rlynn (I changed the name to be safe since this is an open blog) But I can tell you who I'm talking about later if you desire to know. Anyway so my first encounter with Rlynn was a bad one she basically "SPAZED" out in class. She kind of went off and Yelled very loudly "every body please shut up shut up". Because a lot of people were trying to talk to her at once and giving her suggestions on her homework. And she just went off. And I was like ok she's crazy and has a whole lot of issues. Anyways time went on I learned more about her I found out she had a girl friend and did not get along with her mother at all. And many times when I would talk to her in class she wouldn't be that friendly. Anyways time kept passing and some days I would talk to her and some days I would not. I definitely think I internally labeled her as the furthest kid out and a kid who probably would not like YL or me. One day I saw her and found out that she played softball. So that gave us common ground and we talked some about that, I really felt like that was my way in with her. Anyways so on Friday I went to AVID after AVID I actually got the chance to ride home with her. I had invited her to YL that previous Wednesday so I had her number and after the bus ride she actually texted me and thanked me for attempting to find a basketball game on my phone. Anyways I was really surprised and was really happy for the progress. (sorry this is so long but keep reading it gets better) So this week I chose to pray for Rlynn all week. And Wouldn't ya know just as last week with Ashj. Rlynn had a HUGE break down yesterday. She stood up and yelled "o my gosh ms. Benjammin (the AVID teacher) I have to get the F#%@ out of this room right now!" and runs out!!! So I take it all in with the rest of the class and I am thinking wow did she really just do that then I calmly get up and go after her. I find her crying her eyes out in the stair well. I sit down next to her and ask her if she is ok. She is not responsive at all. I wait and after about 5 min of sitting next to her and listening to her cry, (felt like a life time) she finally talked to me. The first thing she said was I hate this school. And to make a long story shorter. We actually ended up talking about her life and school drama for like 15-20 min in the stairwell. That in itself was a victory I was really glad to have the chance to encourage her. But anyways when we returned to the classroom I gave her a flyer for club. And today Rlynn came to club!! And she enjoyed herself! I still hope and pray that God would completely transform her life. But I know today she was got to hear the gospel. In my mind Rlynn was the furthest kid out in AVID (I have one other in mind so maybe I should pray for him next). But she came to YL today! Please know that your work is not in vain and that your prayers are changing the lives of these kids just as sure as you can see these words. Thank you so much for everything you do. Please do not stop praying and building God's kingdom. This is just one small victory! God has much more in store for us!!!
- Kaleah

Too busy not too.....

What's up everybody, I realize this email with find most of you either on Spring Break or vacation this week so please enjoy it and what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

I just wanted to send out a few thoughts to ponder for the week.

One thought that keeps floating around my mind lately is this: We are too busy not to pray!

I am thankful for Kaleah's emails to pray for a different kid every day for a week and though I haven't been 100% with it every day it has been a great reminder that it is the power of Christ alone that will change kids lives and not our program or anything we do for that matter.

It is his power working through us that we believe in faith and as we pray will transform kids lives.

I'll share a quick story that really nails the point home for me. I think I may have sent out an email to you guys a while back right after our ski trip that I received a text from KC saying he wanted to meet with me to talk about Purpose.

After about two years of leading a Campaigner group of all girls I was so anxious for the opportunity to pour into even one guy's life.

Fast forward and after at least 8 failed attempts to hang out with KC I'm realizing that even my persistence and best of intentions aren't getting me any where.

I need to pray and I'm way too busy not too pray.

Aren't we all for that matter. All of us are insanely busy , every single one of us is overwhelmed in one way or another.

Yet our efforts at putting together an amazing Club , taking a gazillion kids to camp, and doing Contact work is all futile unless we are lifting it up to the Lord and being empowered by the power of his Holy Spirit.

One quick Bidnez note: April 1st is fast approaching and we need to know by than how many kids we are taking to camp. By know I don't mean our best guess, I mean we actually have a deposit of $75 in hand. So I will be sending you a list tomorrow of kids names, and numbers so please let's not wait to make calls we have less than a month now.

In the past I have tried assigning certain kids to certain leaders and that has always been kind of confusing so this year I'm just sending out the list and to be honest I don't care if we all call the same kids/ parents because eventually they will either say please stop calling me or yes my son/ daughter can go.