Christian Outreach Center 222 S. Lincoln Ave. Clearwater, Fl 33756 727.443.1728

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July, 2010

Dear Ministry Partners,

     Summer is here and we have a great opportunity to spend time with the kids as they look for something to do.  How the kids look forward to the time at the center and the trips to the beach.  They ask often, “When is the next beach day?”  During the more relaxed summer programs we get to know individual kids better and have a greater impact on their life.  How blessed we are to have these children “want” to spend time at the center with us.  The sewing lab is in full swing and the kids beg to be part of the class.

     We recently received this note from one of COC’s grandparents and know you will appreciate it as much as we do.  “Dear Mr. John & Mrs. Brenda, while riding home in the car yesterday with my five year old grandson, and some other family members the subject of heaven came up as it often does, especially since he has been going to COC for the past year.  His other grandma made the comment that we are all going to heaven to which he replied with a whole lot of conviction "uh-uh grandma, only people who have Jesus in their heart!"  With that he asked her if she had Jesus in her heart and then asked his Dad sitting in the front seat if he had Jesus in his heart.  I wanted to shout for joy and clap because I knew that all of heaven was clapping and shouting and giving a whole bunch of high fives.  Since receiving Jesus as his personal Savior not long ago and being recently baptized, he just wants to know for sure that everybody has Jesus in their hearts and are going to be in heaven with him.  So there it was, in an ordinary car ride home a little child asked the most profound question we all have to answer and gave the gospel in its' simplest and purest form.  Am I thankful that COC is there and is making a difference in my grandson's life? A million times yes!  There isn’t enough silver and gold in the world to express my gratitude for COC and the work that you are doing to reach kids with the gospel.  My hope is that by sharing this story with you and Mrs. Brenda that it will encourage you in your hearts to keep on telling the boys and girls about Jesus and that He is the ONLY way to heaven. May God bless you richly, a Grandma”

     In recent months we have noticed some of the younger boys literally bowing down on the floor for prayer during Kid’s Church.  We (as workers) usually pray with our eyes open during Kid’s Church to insure that the kids are really praying and not goofing around.  We were so touched by these little guys and their humility before God that the act was a “sermon” in itself.  I (Brenda) was close enough to hear them repeating the prayer after Mr. John and it brought tears to my eyes.  This happened week after week and finally I was able to snap a photo of it.  One of these little boys is the one mentioned above.  That little boy is sharing the gospel without being aware of it.  This is an awesome example every child of God should follow, especially ME.  The Lord is convicting me…can you tell?

   On Father’s Day, Mr. John had the privilege of preaching at Christ Presbyterian Church.  His message was entitled “Whose Your Daddy?”  Having been raised without knowing his own father, John understands how this impacts the kids at the center who don’t have a daddy.  John often shares with the children that his own daddy is his Father in heaven, God.  Mr. John strives to teach the kids that God is their Daddy too.  God is always there for them no matter what!  God is our Daddy too when we embrace the gospel.   God is so GOOD!  

     **Funds still needed for Christian Outreach Center T-Shirts! Please help the center provide these special COC T-shirts for every child that attends Vacation Bible School this summer.  The shirts cost $5.00 each.  These shirts help to make VBS extra special.  Plus, these shirts help to get the word out to other kids in the community about COC.  We see these shirts worn by the children all year long.  Please mark your check “T-shirts”.  Thank you for helping to promote COC and providing a needy child with a special shirt.

Continue to pray for the center and our finances, the children, staff and for these folks with health concerns: Betty, Carl, Bill, Carol, Dick, Jim, Ida, Richard, Eileen, Ed, Elizabeth, Wendy, Wally and Brenda’s niece, Elise, who has leukemia. Brenda received a card from Elise today and Elise was so happy to report that the weekly chemo treatments are nearly over and she will be having monthly treatments instead. She is now eleven years old and is doing well thanks to your prayers and the Lord’s healing hand.

 Blessed in His service, John & Brenda Grampsas - your hands in ministry & the COC Directors

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