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!