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!