Child Evangelism Fellowship of North San Diego County
Praise & Prayer Bulletin 6.22.09

PRAISE REPORTS



PRAISE the Lord for a week of big blessings at the County Fair! We had lots of new and returning volunteers, and we praise God for all who invested their time in braving the traffic and crowds to do the Lord's work of getting out the Good News to the kids.

Above left, Sylvia Jewell, Kathy Romig and Anna Wan, all veterans of the fair ministry, were the first team on Wednesday. Anna writes: "This year I was truly blessed by four teenagers who listened intently to the story and later came back a second time. They responded very positively to the Gospel and their eyes showed the thirst in their hearts. Praise God they have received the living water from Jesus that will become in them 'a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'"

In the afternoon three newcomers from the student ministry at Faith Community Church in Encinitas came on duty -- Chris Breed, Eric Mitchell, and Pastor Justin Windham (above right). Pastor Windham returned on Thursday with two more teens from his group. They'd been encouraged to get involved by a member of their church, longtime GNC and fair volunteer Ramona Borders, who wasn't able to be there herself because of health issues. Instead, she multiplied her ministry by holding a training session for the whole group from her church!



Above at right, Kathy ties a Gospel bracelet on a child's wrist. Sylvia explains the meaning of each color, ending with green for growing in Christ.



On Wednesday evening two more first-timers teamed up, Judy Steidl and Mary Davis-Junior (above). Though they're both from Escondido, they were meeting for the first time -- making new friends is another blessing at the fair!

Judy emails, "I remember one boy who was unusually focused throughout the story. He was clearly thinking about each part of the Gospel. As he left, he made a point to turn back and looked me squarely in the eyes. He said, 'Thank you. I'm glad I came. Now I understand why Jesus died.' Just before closing, we had two families come in, one with three teenagers. As they were leaving, the dad turned to thank us for sharing the Gospel. He said, 'I know we came to have fun at the fair, but we are leaving with the words we were meant to hear. Thank you for telling us the story of Jesus.'"

Mary adds, "One teenage girl stood out to me. Her parent brought her in with two other siblings. You could see she had an attitude, but by the middle of the story she had both hands on her knees and was so intense, listening to Judy sharing the Gospel. That alone made it worth it to be there. Thanks so much for asking me to work."



Friday began with a threesome of returning volunteers -- Pamela Shattuck, Shirley Stuber, and Millie Koenig (above). Pamela, who signed up for three dates this year, reports, "One of the children (a little sweetie, a girl about 4) I had ministered to with the Gospel was leaving with her mother and when they were about 20 feet away she stopped and ran back to thank me. I suddenly thought of the one leper who took the time to come back to Jesus to say 'Thank You.' I told her she was most welcome and thanked her for coming.  She headed back to her mother when she suddenly turned around and ran back again to say 'Thank you' and waited for me to kneel down to talk with her. We chatted for a few moments, and then off she went. She had Jesus written all over her. Precious!"



Above, Penny Anderson of Escondido explains what Scripture tells us Jesus did for us: "Christ died for our sins...He was buried....He rose again." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)



Penny (above left) was there for the second time this year, and she invited her friend Linda Frank to partner with her on Friday afternoon. Then Jack and Doris Fitch (at right) traveled the extra mile -- all the way from Murrieta -- to continue the ministry that evening, all the way to 11 pm! It was their first time at the fair, but they've been serving this season on the team of our new Good News Club at Mary Fay Pendleton School on Camp Pendleton.

Linda emails her thoughts: "What a blessing it was to serve in the Story Castle! It was precious to stand outside and see the delight in the children who wanted to come in and hear a Bible story! They listened intently, questions were asked, and seeds were sown. I actually had three adults come to the door and ask me to explain the colors on the bracelet and had the opportunity to share the gift of God's salvation with them personally. One Spanish-speaking gentleman came up who was from Escondido, so he was told where there was a Spanish-speaking church he could attend. Those serving were so blessed!" 

PRAISE God that 46 kids from Casita School in Vista have signed up for the 5-Day Club that will take place in nearby Landes Park starting June 29! Praise Him, too, for bringing the volunteers needed to conduct the club. Please pray for the team as they get ready and that this club might lead to a new Good News Club at Casita in the upcoming school year.

PRAYER NEEDS

PRAY for the brother of one of our Good News Club leaders who learned about the ministry from her and called us this week to find out more. He lives in Georgia and would like to start a GNC at a local school. We put him in touch with the local CEF chapter there. Please pray as he works to get people praying for the club and starts recruiting team members to lead it. Pray for a favorable response from the district and the school, and for the Lord's help and guidance as he moves forward.

PRAY for the fair volunteers still needed, especially on the big 4th of July weekend! It will be a great opportunity to help our country in the best way possible -- investing in the future by telling our youngest generation about Jesus and seeing kids and parents turn to the Lord! Click here to check the still-available spots: http://cefkids.com/fair

In the fellowship of our Lord,
Robert Burkley

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Child Evangelism Fellowship of North San Diego County
PO Box 267, Escondido, CA 92033
760-480-4191 email: cefnorth@hotmail.com
website: cefkids.com

To learn more about our primary ministry of reaching kids in the public schools through after-school Good News Clubs, please click to visit our website: cefkids.com/GoodNewsClub

..."Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them.   --Mark 10:14-16