Our monthly outreach birthday celebration this past Saturday was amazing! God continues to blow our minds with His love and faithfulness!!!! We were able to bless 20 teens with an awesome birthday gift and throw a party for about 200 teens plus their staff and our wonderful volunteers! These parties are for the kids- but they also bless the staff- it does wonders when they can get the kids out of the “house” and go have fun- also helps bring unity to the homes! We had a stage full of our youth leading worship and they were amazing!!! Jordan, Josi, Gabby, Nico, Ernesto, and Tim- they would not have sounded quite as wonderful as they did if it were not for our hero soundman Mr. Steve!
We were blessed with Lita Rodi who shared his testimony and his talent! Both the boys and girls were very touched by his life and his love and dedication to the Lord and loved his music. Many of the adults even commented that his rap was understandable to “the old people” and the words were powerful! Our teen volunteers coming to me saying “WOW! Where did he come from, wow!?!?” The teens need people to be “real” and Lita Rodi is about as real as you can it-plus loaded with talent!
After ministry we had hot dogs for lunch and apple sauce and the best cupcakes in the world! (Desiree and Lisaanne y’all rock!) Then the games began! We had our first basketball tournament and it was a huge hit! Mr. Woodruff took control of making the charts 🙂 We have been praying for MEN to stand up and and be there for the teens- He has answered our prayers! Rick and Rodney and all the other men did an amazing job on the court and just really shined doing what at least to me… looked like what God had given them the talent to do for His kingdom! I cannot name everyone, my fear is always forgetting someone…so I will say the men/women/teens/little kids who love the Lord and His kids…. YOU all did an awesome job this weekend and we cannot thank you enough!!!
Now for the ladies – all of the work you do in the kitchen is amazing and we love you! Nancy, Mona and their team were perfect. The nail salon was a hit and the girls loved being pampered! Thank you so much for giving your time to make the girls feel like they are truly a princess! Oh and the root beer floats were a hit! The line never seemed to end. Jennifer and Carmen could not leave for what seemed like hours hahaha, loved it – this was an idea we got from Charlcie on July 4! The snow cones were a hit like always. Jack and Vicky probably did not realize when they got us the machine how many smiles were going to come from it through the years! Edward did a fantastic job managing this by himself, so at the next party someone please give him a hand. 🙂
James the balloon man was a huge hit like always! This man can make ANYTHING!!! We also had our first watermelon contest… what a blast that was! That would not have been possible if it were not for a “private person” who helped through Tre9. They also helped Joanne with the hot dogs and buns – put it this way, it was a full load of food that we picked up! After all the activities were over there was still so much work to be done. Don did a fantastic job of leading and recruiting workers to get the job done! I want to add a special thank you to the people who stick around to the very end when they are so exhausted and want to go home yet they stay and help clean – YOU ROCK!
Thank you to everyone who made this possible: The Vineyard Pastor George and Charlcie have opened their church to the teens every month, please thank and pray for them always! We also thank YOU for your donations, time, love, prayers are what makes it possible to do this THANK YOU!!!!! Our prayer is that we will all keep our hearts tender to the Lord and His children and let them know that He does love them and that they do matter! I ask that you keep all of the teens in prayer and B2B that we always remain “The heart of God in action” Thank you!
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