Praise Reports from our YOUTH!

Hey Everyone!

Take a look at how our beloved youths have grown...

I am reminded again, that God leads us and asks us to learn humbly as we grow... we have to be willing to continue learning at all times! A good friend once told me when I first started working with youths, that I had to be prepared to be a "seed planter/waterer", and that in most cases, I would not be able to see the fruits of the labor. For only God can make things grow (See 1 Corinthians 3:7).

Well... every once in a while you get some fantastic glimpses of what God is doing, and you get to share the joy! So here are some notes of encouragement, from some of the youth we know and love!

* Jamal was with me at church and accepted Christ, asking to be baptized soon and is absolutely on fire! He's asked for a Bible, and some movies/study assistance.
* Anton, Wydarius, Derrick and Charles Jones have all been court approved to go on the missions trip to Baja Mexico! THIS IS INCREDIBLE! They are never allowed to even cross state lines, but a missions trip in service to others, is shaking up the foster community and DCFS in a big way! God is opening up doors that have been closed and forgotten!
* Marie has a 3.0 GPA and has been accepted to the school/program in Arizona! Although she'll be leaving us soon, this is a fantastic opportunity for her in her growth!
* Angel has moved in with his mother in Redlands. He is gone, but in moving into his birth-mother's home, reminds us that this is truly our goal! That our youth would be with their families at home!
* Josh passed his driver's test!
* On Saturday, I left the beach early with Mody, Brenton and Kennedy to see Anton and Jamal's football game. One of the most touching scenes was watching Anton hit the QB big time, and seeing Mody beaming with pride and smiling ear to ear as he turned towards the cheering crowds yelling "Man... that's MY brother! Wow... that's my bro, man!"
* That same night, due to grades, the coaches benched Anton and Jamal. They weren't told until the coaches blind-sided them and literally started cussing them out at half time. The two boys, embarassed and hurt and feeling betrayed, came off the field and after explaining to us the situation, immediately started laughing with us about the times when they were playing, and totally disregarded what had happened, ignoring the times they didn't play. They simply couldn't be shaken, and didn't let the tough situation bring them down. For Anton in particular, this is a dramatic and huge difference in attitude. He mentioned to me that he just didn't feel the same way about "bad things happening, because I feel like I always have hope". WOW...
* There are many more individual moments/news that are very special. Don't ever be afraid to share them, or feel like nobody cares. If only one of you actually reads this, it will be worth the time I spent on it! Be encouraged and full of joy, because the relationships that are growing and happening and flourishing are what it is all about.

Between you and I, team... I believe that we do see a lot of the fruits... Although I understand my friend's point, I am reminded that we often look for "BIG" things and forget the little things, that mean so much. Miracles come in all shapes and sizes... and as Anton says, we always have hope! For as we love these youth, we know this very simple fact. Love never fails... (1 Corinthians 13:8). So how can we ever lose hope?

By the way, be sure to stay close to us with the missions trip! Check out the flyer with details at www.youthjourney.org, along with some events we're throwing to raise money and for team building. Please join us as a partner in prayer or even participation! Be part of the joy! If you're into it, I'll be speaking at Journey Covenant Church on Sunday, November 9th at 9am and 10:45am and having some of the Denker Boys teach the congregation a song! Good times... =)

Have a blessed week! I'm sorry to miss you on Thursday. I will see you in November!

Chris