Hallelujah!

I have a new brother in Christ!

Katherine and I have been investing a lot of time into a relationship with Shane, a twelve year old at our Backyard Bible Club. His grandmother brings him to church but his home life is anything but stable. He's really smart and energetic. Pastor Bill, our host, picked him up every day this week for BBC so we immediately took the opportunity to show him some love! Monday he was able to stay and have lunch with Katherine and I and our hosts so we got a chance to really gauge where he was spiritually. Since he is one of the oldest kids at BBC, I let him be a helper in my kindergarten-3rd grade class. And he has also been joining us going to Pendleton every night for their evening VBS. While at first he was apprehensive about singing silly songs and participating he has grown to love the songs and stories we discuss. Last night was Pendleton's night to push for salvations. Katherine and I took notes because that was in our curriculum this morning. I was nervous about making the gospel understandable to young children but finally had to just give it to God. I kept making things too complicated when God treasures child-like faith. So we had our lesson during BBC today and went through the story of Jesus dying and rising again, as well as the bridge illustration and the ABC's of becoming a Christian (Admit, Believe, Confess). It was very encouraging to see Shane participating more and more in our discussions (when earlier in the week he didn't really want to associate with the class). He answered about definitions of admitting, confession, sin, and salvation. I was so excited because I could see him getting close! Then at the evening VBS in Pendleton tonight Shane told his teacher that he accepted Christ this morning! On the ride back he showed me a cool little book he'd gotten that had the ABC's on it. We talked through it together and he recited all the steps to me and then he said- I accepted Christ this morning right before our Bible club. We are SO excited to have been used in Shane's life!

Please pray for Shane! Pray that this decision will take root and grow into a life! Pray that he will be surrounded by godly people to help him in his walk. And pray that somehow he will be able to go to Boys Camp in July that we're working at!

Psalm 36:5-6 "Your unfailing love, Oh Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains; your justice is like the ocean depths."