A New View Of "The Compass"...

Becky Branch came and helped out as a volunteer for the first time last Friday at Compass. If you'd like to read her thoughts, click here to do so. I'm glad to have her serving with us, and we've still got plenty of spots to fill if you'd like to give this amazing ministry a chance. Leave me your email in the comments section and I'll get you the information!!

Thank You, Thank You...

It's been an interesting few weeks for us. Since the passing of our great friend, Lisa, my wife and I have been "standing in the gap" to keep this ministry open. When I offered to do it almost a month ago, I had no idea what was involved in keeping this ministry going on a daily basis. Many people have helped us, and we couldn't have done it without them, so I wanted to thank them publicly.

To my wife, Kris: She is the real reason it's running right now. Not only is she there 3 days a week, she was there every day during that first week, and has scheduled, called, and organized the volunteers that come to help each day. She's taken care of the pantry, and has developed friendships with the kids. If you know my wife, this is out of her normal "comfort zone", and I'm thankful for her willingness to help carry Compass through this time.

To our volunteers: From the very first day, Kathy Welker and Karen Stichter have been there. As they were the only ones with any prior experience in the ministry, their help has been invaluable to us as we work our way through. Many others have also stood beside us offering their time and love like Leslie Yoder, Pam Schwartz, Carla Wisler, Shari Davis, Brian Paulson, Peg Magers, Duane Reinhardt, Tif Schwartz, Shelly Lengacher, Tammy Maust, Justin Bowers, and Joyce Deardorff, along with others that filled in for a day or two when we needed them. Your help and time are appreciated more than you know.

To the kids of Compass and their families: Thank you for working with us during this time. We know all the new faces can be somewhat overwhelming, and we appreciate your patience and grace as we "learn the ropes" of this ministry on the fly.

To the Compass Board and Wakarusa Missionary Church: Thanks for your support and guidance during this time. I'm proud to be standing with both of you in service to God.

Finally, to God: I know I can speak for both Kris and I when I say there's no way we could have done this on our own. He's gifted us with extra portions of love, grace, patience, and strength and we know it all comes from Him. We are also thankful for God's work in the hearts of those that have chose to join us in this ministry.

Thank you!

More Love For Lisa...

As this week goes on, I'm even more moved by the impact that Lisa Lengacher had in the lives of those all around me. Click to read the thoughts of Steve Gall, Jon Andrews, Shelley Flickinger, and Rhonda Schrock.

Another Tribute To Lisa...

First, for those of you who would like to pay your respects, the viewing for Lisa Lengacher will be from 2-8 pm on Thursday at the Wakarusa Missionary Church with the funeral at 11 am on Friday.

My great friend and former WMC pastor Mark Slabaugh has written a very eloquent post on the impression Lisa left on him and his ministry, and how we can carry on her legacy. Click here to read it...it's worth your time.

A Tribute To Lisa...

"Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5:15-16,19-20, NIV)

We lost a great one yesterday.

Lisa Lengacher, whose life could be described by the verses above, went home to be with Jesus at the age of 39 yesterday morning. It's hard to believe that she's gone from us here...I know I still am in shock from hearing it. We still don't yet know what caused it, but we know she had accepted Christ into her heart, and that's enough for now. I've known Lisa for about 20 years, and I'd like to tell you a little bit about her...

In high school, Lisa was one of those "it" girls. You know what I mean...the kind of girl every guy wants to date and every girl wants to be. She was very beautiful and outgoing. She was a cheerleader, a member of the swing choir, and a friend to anyone she knew, regardless of their social status. I had always admired Lisa from afar, and got the chance to get to know her when I started dating one of her good friends. Lisa was just what I imagined she'd be. She was one of those people who made you feel like you were the only one in the room when she was talking to you. She genuinely cared about you and what you had to say, and always gave you her full attention. Right around her graduation, I think, she and Jeff started to date. Our girlfriends were roommates at Taylor, and I spent a few rides down to Upland with Jeff and got to know him. He loved Lisa dearly, and they were married about a year later.

I kind of lost touch with Jeff and Lisa over the next few years as we attended different churches and started our families. About eight or ten years ago, they came to my church and got involved in children's ministry, creating a program for 5th and 6th graders to fill a much needed void. They asked me to be a part of it and, after wrestling with God, I accepted. Watching Lisa with the young boys and girls in the class, I was impressed to see the very same girl I knew in school, one that would take all the time in the world to listen to the problems of an 11 or 12 year old, and talk and pray with them. She led the music for our group, and her love of singing and praising God rubbed off on everyone, including me. She also was involved in mission trips to help those in need, most notably her experience with Samaritan's Purse in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Listening to her share with our congregation, it was clear that God gave her a heart for service...and that blossomed into a brand new ministry that will be her legacy.

Lisa and Jeff have always had room in their hearts for latch-key and at-risk kids. On their own, they have spend time with and mentored many young kids over the years. About two years ago, they had the vision to create an after school program for kids that would provide a safe place to be, along with help with schoolwork, and a Christian atmosphere of love and acceptance. This vision has become "The Compass", and is flourishing in its first full year in operation. (You can click the link above to learn more, and you can read Lisa's own posts and thoughts on this ministry.)

Lisa had a very child-like personality and faith, and I mean this as the greatest compliment. She believed that there was nothing God couldn't do, and seemed to be genuinely amazed and excited at His blessings and answers to prayer every day. No matter what state she was in, Lisa always had a smile and personality that left you feeling better after talking to her.

No matter how much all of us miss Lisa right now, we know she is in an awesome place right now. The headaches she struggled with will never bother her again. Any of her illnesses will not touch her anymore. Someone heard one of Lisa's sister-in-laws speaking yesterday and she said this: "Knowing Lisa, she's in such awe of all she's seeing up there, she probably hasn't closed her mouth yet!" (She's exactly right...and thinking about Lisa there in heaven does make me smile.) Lisa will spend eternity now praising God, singing, and waiting at the gates to meet all the many people she's known and influenced for God's kingdom over her lifetime. I know we all can't wait to see her again.

He's no theologian, but Garth Brooks said it best in his song, "The Dance":

"Looking back, on the memories of
The dance we shared, 'neath the stars above
For a moment, all the world was right
How could I have known that you'd ever say goodbye?

But I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end
The way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance
I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance"

Garth got one thing wrong: our lives are not left to chance, they are in the hands of God, and even though we can't see His plan right now, we just climb up in His mighty arms and let Him hold us during this time. Garth was right about this, and I think I can speak for Jeff, his family, and everyone of us that knew Lisa: no matter how bad it hurts to lose her, none of us would trade the pain for the memories we have of her.

Goodbye Lisa, and "thanks for the dance"...and we all can't wait to see you again someday...

Bridges

Thursday of this week, it had been an exceptionally hectic day for one of our regular volunteers at The Compass (one of the responsibilities she carries is to give a daily devotional during the children's snack time). As soon as she had arrived, she realized she had forgotten her devotional and object lesson materials for the day, and because she was pressed for time, it wasn't possible to go back home to retrieve them.

This volunteer said she, "shot up one of the fastest arrow prayers of her life," as she reached for an emergency-stand-by object lesson book kept at The Compass. The only other thing she remembered thinking at the time was that she, "knew it had to be an object lesson where no items were required." She stopped at a page entitled 'A Bridge,' where there wasn't any additional material needed to deliver this particular biblical object lesson/truth.

Thanking the Lord as she sought out an additional volunteer, she asked if the volunteer still had a photo on her cell phone from a summer vacation (she knew that the volunteer had taken pictures of a very large bridge they had daily crossed). The volunteer affirmed she still had photos of that bridge on her cell and wanted to know why she was asking. Without answering the first question, she asked the volunteer if she had her cell phone with her. Again, the volunteer affirmed she had her cell phone and now was really curious. In the final minute they had remaining, she quickly filled in the volunteer helping what had happened that day, how God had directed her to this particular lesson, and how he had reminded her of the photos of the bridge. They both agreed to have her show the photo of the bridge to each individual child while the other volunteer was sharing the lesson.

After all of the children were signed in, had found a place at the table, and a child had said a prayer of thanks to God for their snack, the volunteer started to share. She talked about a very large bridge, and how it is almost impossible to get to the other side of where you need to go without crossing the bridge; which meant that basically, the only way to get from one side of the bridge to the town the volunteer had traveled to, they had to cross the bridge every day to get there... it was the only way to reach their destination.

At this point, several hands shot up in the air (usually, the volunteer giving devotions doesn't stop to answer questions, or allow talking during the devotional, until at the end -- unless questions/sharing needs to happen in order to deliver the biblical point, or lesson, for that day). This particular day though, she stopped and allowed each one with their hands up to share. Each one of the children were saying, "I know what you're going to say next. 'So do I,' " several of the other children chimed in. She allowed to have one of the children share their thoughts on the subject. "You're going to talk about Jesus."

She told the children yes, today's lesson was about Jesus and then she read them this verse from John 14:6, "Jesus told them, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' " Another hand shot up, and the child said, "Jesus is the bridge! Jesus is the bridge!" She asked if anyone knew where Jesus led to? Yet another child raised her hand, and said, "God?" Yes, said the volunteer, "Jesus leads us to God, and just like the bridge that brought the family where they needed to go, Jesus brings us to God. She also shared that Jesus is the only way to God, just like the bridge was the only way to take the family where they needed to go."

A few of the children were saying, "cool," and several more chimed-in as the two volunteers watched what they called 'light bulbs turning on' with the children's expressions. It was cool to witness God's truth being understood and planted into the hearts and minds of the children. It was cool how God reminded one of our volunteers of the photo of the bridge. And it was really cool how God had provided a way to a 'God appointment' that He'd had set up for that day and time for The Compass children and volunteers, before the universe was ever created by Him. God again showed His faithfulness and love in a very visual way, not only to the children, but to the volunteer who said she felt "scatter-brained and panicked," for a few moments until God blessed all of us with ways He remains open and accessible to Him, when we've accepted and know His Son, Jesus!

How Does It Happen...

...that two children, at the start of the school year, told their mom, that they didn't want to come to The Compass, even if she wanted them to.

...that those same two children, couldn't stop talking about The Compass the first night they got home, and have looked forward to coming to The Compass every day ever since.

...that children are beginning to understand, respect and follow the expectations/guidelines we have here at The Compass; and as a result, no foul language has been used, or heard, for the last two weeks.

...that two children, in the same class, who have the same teacher and didn't really know one another before, are now friends who play together, not just at The Compass, but every day at school.

The Answer Is Simple...

...God. He answers prayers. He is at work. The love of Jesus is being felt and experienced by the children. The Holy Spirit is at work within the hearts and minds of the children.

How Does Anything Good Ever Happen...

...God. He hears and delights in answering prayers, and we're so glad. To God be the glory for all of the good things He has done these past several weeks!

We excitedly continue to pray, watch, and listen...
...won't you join us?

I Will, I Will....

It has been both touching and exciting to see a room full of hands shoot up into the air every day at snack time. Last year, a few children, periodically, would volunteer to pray and thank God for our snacks every day.

This year, we are having to make out a list of names to give everyone wanting to pray before snack time, a turn. It has been incredible to hear the children expressing their thanks to God - not just for their snacks, but for their friends, families, The Compass & its volunteers, people who are sick. Many of them are truly expressing their thanks and needs before Almighty God. We'll keep you posted as to how God answers some of their requests; and thank you in advance, for keeping The Compass as part of your requests before our Almighty, heavenly Father.

Thanks for all the support!

We feel grateful having just cleared the full two weeks mark for the 2008-09 ministry year to have such wonderful support from a number of individuals. We have had different ones step forward to bake us special treats once a month (using the church's kitchen, a state law requirement), helping tutor various students, letting us know of their prayer support; and most recently, Pastor Paul, our head pastor at Wakarusa Missionary Church wrote a letter to the entire church body letting the church family know what we are about and the various ways they can get involved if God so leads them.

We were again reminded of a promise in Isaiah that we have claimed which says, "I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!" It is humbling, and awe-inspiring, to see God begin to answer those prayers as we continue to watch our waiting list numbers grow and seek him for more 'workers for the harvest.' (We are confident that if God has brought so many children, and families, to be a part of The Compass, He will provide all that is needed to accomplish His ministry and will).

It has also been humbling and gratifying to be building relationships with the attending children, and their families these past few weeks - nothing beats a hug hello, or goodbye, from an attending child, or a thank you from a grateful parent. Several, on both counts, are expressed almost on a daily basis.

We continue to joyfully anticipate what God has in store, which we are quite certain is above anything we can think to ask, or imagine, as we establish a routine with the attending children, and expectantly wait upon the Lord for His provision of the remaining volunteers needed. Thank you Pastor Paul, our Compass Board members, Compass volunteers, and all other individuals for your participation, support, and prayers. We can attest to the fact that none of it goes to waste - God is a work here!

...And We're Off!

The new school year started Tuesday, August 19, and so did the 2008-09 ministry of The Compass. We're off to a great start. The children we have coming, all mesh together really well and are already finding ways to help one another with their homework, sharing and taking turns during free time/playing games, and overall seem to sincerely enjoy spending time together. It's great to "be back." We have thoroughly enjoyed seeing familiar faces, and new ones too.

A week before the school year began, we had room for an additional 6-8 children. At this point, we are at capacity and have now formed a waiting list. We are celebrating with God the harvest He has brought us -- we couldn't be more excited about that. We continue to pray and wait upon His provision for the remainder of our volunteers to help us accomplish the plentiful work God has set out for us.

Another place we are celebrating, has been how God took a rivalry from last year between two students, helped them see one another differently this year (and all they have in common with one another), and is now forming a budding friendship! Only God has the power to accomplish that; and that is a total "Yeah, God!"

We continue to appreciate your prayers for this ministry, the children and their families, and the volunteers who give their time and resources to minister to the children. We also continue to prayerfully anticipate God doing more, and above, anything we pray, or can think to ask or imagine, as we begin our 2008-09 after-school ministry here at The Compass.

7 Days of Prayer and Fasting

Won't you join us? We are planning to pray and fast for The Compass ministry starting today, Tuesday, August 12, at 3:00 p.m., to Tuesday, August 19 until 3:00 p.m. We welcome anyone wishing to join us in prayer and fasting for the next seven days for this important God-appointed ministry.

The vision of the ministry of The Compass is based on the scripture of Mark 2:2-12. Below are a few other passages that have given us specific direction of this ministry and assurance of God's involvement.

"...the Lord has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent to me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord's favor has come." Isaiah 61:1-2a [NLB] see also Luke 4:18-19

"....be strong and courageous and do the work. Don't be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you... The various divisions will serve....God. Others with skills of every kind will volunteer...." I Chronicles 28:20-21 [NLB]

"I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!" Isaiah 65:24 [NLB]

Fasting is simply to give up something (TV, computer time, reading a book/magazines, etc.) and replace it with time spent with God. Prayer is simply listening to God through His Holy Spirit, His Holy Word, the Bible, and talking to God, by praising Him for who He is, what He has done, what He can do, and petitioning Him with specific requests. Prayer and fasting, we believe, is most effective when God's word is applied during a set aside time alone with Him.

Please join us in petitioning these requests during your time of prayer and fasting:
1. God would raise an army of prayer warriors for the ministry of The Compass, the children, and the families they represent.
2. God would supply all of the needed volunteers, with a heart for God and children, for the 2008-09 school year.
3. God would supply His desired will and direction for each area of ministry for The Compass in the upcoming year.

Our hope in sharing the above scriptures is to encourage you. God has shared with us during previous times of prayer and fasting and we are confident He will do so again, to each participating individual. We desire for the Holy Spirit to lead each of us individually in what He desires us to hear and to lead us individually in the petitioning of our requests. Please don't limit your requests to those we are asking you to join us in praying -- allow God's Holy Spirit to lead you in how to pray for The Compass, its ministry, the children and their represented families.

We look forward to hearing from many of you, and all that God reveals/impresses upon you; and we thank you in joining us in prayer and fasting for this important God-appointed ministry the next seven days. We have confident hope that, "....God, who is able through his mighty power at work within us, [will] accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. [and bring] Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen." [NLB] Ephesians 3:20-21 (paraphrased)

A Great Finish

We had a great finish to our first opening of the Compass. We would like to thank all of the volunteers, board members and families for your support of this exciting ministry!

During the summer months, we will actively be praying and seeking additional volunteers who would like to join us for the upcoming 2008-09 Wa-Nee school year. We are actively praying for the volunteers, children, and their families, God will bless this ministry with; and we are eagerly anticipating a full year of participating in the work God is going to do in and through the lives of the children and their families.

A Helping Hand

Once a year, KeyBank employees volunteer for an afternoon within their community. We here at The Compass were given a helping hand yesterday by some of them. We were blessed to have a group of people give their time and our landscaping looks wonderful as a result.

The next time you go by The Compass, check out our weed-free, newly planted flowers, and new mulch landscaping. We are so grateful for those who volunteered to bless us with a more attractive setting outside. We would like to thank Steve Bell for the donated mulch. We would also like to extend A BIG thank you to our KeyBank volunteers!

Hooray!

We have several things to celebrate at The Compass this week. The children have been commenting on the daily devotionals by giving feedback and asking further questions because they seem to want to understand. We experienced this several times, regarding several devotionals this past week. In fact, one of the children, almost exactly 2 hours later, made a comment about a particular day's devotional. That was exciting first of all, because God provided proof that they were listening and "getting" it. Secondly, we were excited and encouraged because God also let us see He was still being thought about. We gave the illustration of a rain coat, how it shields and protects us from the rain, getting wet, etc. and that God is like a rain coat. He shields and protects His children from the things of this world that try to pull us away from Him, would harm us, etc. We also talked about the fact that just like we have to put on a rain coat when it's raining, we also have to ask God to be a part of our life every day so that He can help us, protect us, etc.

As mentioned earlier, one of the children, several hours later, was talking about that with me. As we sat there coloring together, she decided that it was kind of like coloring. "We," she said, "are like the picture. We are just blah and boring without being colored. But then God comes along and colors us. Even in bad times, He still adds more colors. He's always with us and when He's all done with us, we'll be a pretty picture." Please keep your prayers coming for these children, God is at work!

Speaking of work, we have a work team coming from KeyBank tomorrow. You may notice some pretty flowers and a lack of weeds within the landscaping, cleaner windows, and a stick-free yard provided it doesn't rain between 1 and 5:00. We are grateful to Melanie Weldy for thinking of us and suggesting us to her co-workers. We are looking forward to "hosting" our first community work day tomorrow.

Several of our families continue to comment on their appreciation of the study time we provide at The Compass. They continue to be grateful for the homework time we provide for their children and the family time they experience at home as a result. What an encouragement!

As we finish up the last seven days at The Compass, we pray we continue to be an encouragement to the children, and the children's families, through God's Word, your prayers and ours, and by being the hands and feet of Christ. We are also praying for a continued growth in our volunteer base.

As we share with the Wakarusa Lions Club this evening, please pray for our words to be God's words. Please also pray for any God may be calling from this group to be involved at The Compass, to clearly hear and respond to the invitation.

As you can see, we have many things to be cheering about. We have many things to be praising God for -- and we are, and we do!

Gifts...

We've been receiving gifts at The Compass this past week. We've been given drawings and pictures created and colored for us. We've been given art projects and poems made and written for us. And most importantly, we've been given the gift of sharing.

One of our volunteers had the opportunity to share about God's invention of marriage and that it means waiting for that someone special. They also got to share that God designed marriage to be between one man and one woman. Because of a girl's questions, we were able to explain that we know these things because God's Word, the Bible tells us and His Word is completely true.

We were also given the gift of sharing about the upcoming election. Tuesday's primary sparked a conversation and questions among several of the children coming to The Compass. We had the opportunity to share what each presidential candidate stands for and why we did, or did not, agree with a particular candidate's viewpoint -- again, because of caring about what God has to say about the issues according to His Word, the Bible.

We asked you to pray for teachable moments and for the volunteers not to miss them. God is providing the opportunities and it's been a blessing to share -- thank you for your prayers! Most of the children aren't aware that God's Word "says that?" or "it talks about this too?" concerning current issues we face in our daily living. Please continue to pray that we will seize every teachable moment God gives us for the remainder of the year. Please also pray that the words/seeds of truth planted in these children will take root and blossom into deep living in Christ!

Continuing to Grow

We are winding down at The Compass, in a matter of speaking. With only a month left to go (The Compass follows the school year calendar), things will quickly be winding down for the children coming to The Compass. Things will continue to take up Jeff and Lisa's time, in regards to The Compass, as they share with others, recruit volunteers for next school year, search for devotionals for the children, create devotional lesson plans, coordinate volunteer schedules, etc. With all of that said, Jeff and Lisa, along with The Compass board, would appreciate your continued prayers during the summer months for The Compass. We ask you to join us in praying for further opportunities to share about the ministry of The Compass, for God's further provision of regular and committed volunteers (we are so thankful for the committed volunteers He has already provided). We are also asking God to provide direction and discernment for the words, from His Word, He desires to have shared with the children as we search and plan for next year's daily devotional time.

Although our time with the children is winding down, we continue to add new students almost weekly at The Compass. God continues to grace us with His presence as well as bring us new, appreciative families. We are thankful that the word continues to spread regarding The Compass and we have the opportunity and blessing to serve our community's families and their children. Please continue to pray for the children, and their families, of those who attend The Compass. We have a few families in difficult situations right now; please pray that they would daily encounter God's love and provision for them. Please pray that all of our volunteers would look for, and seize, "teachable moments" to share God's love, care and provision with the children. And finally, we ask that you would join us in praying that further opportunities would be provided to share of God's love, care and provision with the children's families -- whether it comes through a given word of encouragement, a smile or a hug, praying with a family, or a family's own question/curiosity as they experience God's presence in their daily lives. We continue to trust with expectancy God will answer prayers and continue to work in the lives of the children and their families -- we can't wait to see what He does with the time we have left! Thank you for your faithful prayers, they are appreciated more than words can say. We have been blessed with, and are grateful for, God's faithfulness and we continue to give Him the glory for all the great things He is doing at The Compass!

An Exciting First

Yesterday we had a new experience at The Compass. For the very first time, during our daily devotions, we had a younger student ask us to pray for someone before we went to our time of prayer together. It is very cool to see the children arriving at a place that they are aware we believe that prayer first, has purpose and meaning in our lives and secondly, that God hears, listens to, and answers prayer. Can you imagine introducing a person to prayer, and seeing their transformation to a decision that prayer is truly worthwhile? That is exactly what we witnessed yesterday, by a child! What a "God moment" it was.

What a God moment it is. God is alive. He is actively working at The Compass and we are so grateful. We pray, and invite you to join us in praying, that God would continue to "make Himself known" to the children at The Compass. We are asking Him to reveal His love to each child and for them to come to a place of recognition and acceptance of His love; for the children who have already accepted His love, through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we're praying their encounters of His love would further their relationship with Him. Thanks, and to God be the glory!

A Passing Grade

Things continue to go well at The Compass. We have a few new additions now coming to The Compass since I last wrote you. We have some new books, a library card, some new videos and some new computer learning games. A routine has been established as well, and that feels good to both the kids and the volunteers.

Volunteers are still needed at The Compass. Your continued prayers are appreciated as we try to broaden and continue to establish our volunteer base.

A base that is already being covered is the children's study time. We have some helpful tutors and the kids are already benefiting from one-on-one time while working on their homework. We received word from one of the schools that one of our students is now receiving a passing grade. We have also heard from one of the guidance counselors that several of the teachers are already noticing improvement in some of the students work. They have noticed improvement in AR (the Accelerated Reading program), their basic reading skills, and improved math skills. To God be the glory!

Check Us Out!!

Now that we're open, we took some pictures of the interior and some of the friends that join us here daily. As you watch the slideshow, remember to pray for all of us at Compass each day! Thanks for your support and your prayers!!

Confirmation

    It is hard to explain how wonderful it is to finally be open!  The first full week was fun, exciting and completely wonderful.  For me, it has felt a little bit like giving birth.  The final week, or "push," before opening was a hard one.  It involved a lot of long, late hours and wondering, "Is this really going to happen, God?  Are we really going to be ready for Monday?  That is our opening day, You haven't forgotten right?"  God of course hadn't forgotten and He was faithful to bring people to The Compass to help every day the week before opening.

    When the day arrived to officially open our doors and welcome our first after-school children, it was a day of relief, joy and excitement all rolled into one -- our "baby" had been born.  The children seemed to be almost excited as we were, if not more, at coming in to check everything out.  

    Their enthusiasm and excitement give us even more confirmation from God.  The children have been happy to be at The Compass.  They think the place is "cool."  They have much to tell us and fill us in on, even in the short time we have spent with them.  They continue to come every day with an excitement to be there.  They are hungry for love and attention when they arrive and it has been a joy to attentively and purposely express God's love for them.

    A few of the parents have offered confirmation as well.   One parent shared that their child was recently being placed in the situation of going home to an empty house every day.  The parent shared they were unsure of what they were going to do to remedy the situation and then learned about The Compass a few days later.  They were happy to have found a solution so quickly.  Another parent shared how they were told of their child's need for tutoring.  After being told, they learned of The Compass a week later and said that the timing couldn't have been more perfect.

    Finally, the latest confirmation God has given me came at the end of last week.  I shared my personal testimony with the children.  There was one particular child who was restless, bored and continued to ask, "Are you almost done?  Can't you hurry this up?"  At a particular point of my sharing an experience, I discovered some of the children had also experienced the same thing.  After I was done sharing, I felt the Holy Spirit impressing upon me to pray.  I felt I was to pray for all of the children, but especially for the children who had shared a similar experience as myself.  The same child who had been fidgety, restless and bored was completely still, quiet and attentive while I prayed.  

    That moment cemented for me just how real the needs are for the children, and their families, and how open they are to hearing and experiencing something new -- God.  There was no doubt in that moment that the Holy Spirit was present in a very real and powerful way and I realized how much I had felt His presence all along.  He was present during the planning stages, the renovating, the meetings, the dreaming -- all of it.  And the Lord was continuing to bless us with His presence.  We have already witnessed His presence, His leading and His provision and we know we will continue to.  We can't wait to see how God affects lifelong changes for the children and their families.  Thank you for your prayers.  They are needed.  They are felt.  And God is already putting them to use.

Open For Business!

"The Compass" offically opened its doors yesterday, March 3rd, 2008. Jeff and Lisa were there, and I'm sure they will share soon about their feelings about that special day. For me, as a board member and someone behind their vision, it's just amazing what God can do with people if they're willing to be used. From planting the seed in Jeff, to being able to use the house, to all those who worked, donated, and gave toward this project, it's just humbling and amazing to be a part of it all.

Please continue to pray for the kids and volunteers of "The Compass". We sure do need it! Also, make plans to join us on Sunday, March 16 at our open house from 11:00 to 2 p.m. to see what God has done!

Opening!

After much work on the coffee house, much paperwork and lots of prayer, The Compass will be opening Monday, March 3rd. It's difficult to put into words how exciting this is. It's been a three year process, a testing and stretching of our faith and continued growing experience. Knowing the time has finally arrived to watch the vision become reality, is a testament and praise to the Lord our God!
There is still much to do to be ready: buying and putting supplies into place, lining up the volunteers and selecting and planning the daily devotions, among other things. God has gotten us this far, there is no doubt we will be ready to start, one way or another. It's an overwhelming, exciting and blessed opportunity all rolled into one.

Thank you for the work, support and prayers given thus far. We covet your continued prayers; and we look forward to sharing with you how the Lord touches, and changes, the lives of the students and their families.