Our Newsletter
Dear Ministry Partners,
May, 2013
Florida’s mild winter has given way to summer, bypassing spring all together. The kids have gone from heavy jackets to tee shirts in about one week. The programs are doing well and we have some new children coming. They see the bus in their neighborhood week after week and are curious. One such boy about 7-8 years old would stand by the side of the road as I dropped off two sisters and look at me with a sad face. This last Saturday morning, I called to him and asked if you would like to come to church? He said that his mom would not let him. I gave him a signup sheet and just then mom came out. She looked at the sheet and said, “thank you for asking my boy to come, I’ll check with my husband”. We are praying he will come next week.
The kids continue to amaze us with the things they do and say. On the first Saturday of the month, we have the “COC Store”. A sixth grade girl told us this month that she had saved $50 COC Bucks and wanted to shop for school supplies but she left them at home.
The kids earn COC Bucks by learning Bible verses, bringing their Bible, bringing visitors, answering questions and for helping. I told Mrs. Terry (my bus captain) to loan her $50 COC Bucks. Well, this girl purchased a bag full of school supplies instead of other tempting items.
A younger girl was so happy to purchase a bar of soap.
She said, “Look now I have my own bar of soap!”
It is hard to imagine that a simple bar of soap can be so important to a 7 year old.
This past week we had a test in our Choi Kwang Do (martial arts) class. Many of the children tested for their yellow belt. Master “D”, a 5th degree black belt, was there for the test. While nervous, we all did good and advanced to the next level belt (including Mr. John).
We are so grateful to Mr. Mike, Mr. Bob and Master D for this weekly training.
Mrs. Martha (featured in the picture below) has been teaching the younger children (usually a group of about 25 - 30 kids) on Wednesday evenings. They are learning key gospel
verses and how to present the gospel to others using the Wordless Book colors. They are excited to learn but they become restless and lose concentration. This has become challenging for Mrs. Martha. Pray for Mrs. Martha as she teaches important verses that not only impact their lives for eternity but the family as well.
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matt. 19:14
We are planning Vacation Bible School
for the first week of the summer break.
Funds are needed for COC T-shirts ($6.00)
and for VBS expenses: fuel, food, crafts...
These activities are provided at no cost to the kids….thanks to your generous support.
Please mark these gifts “VBS”.
Continue to pray for the center, our finances, the children and families, Christ the King Lutheran Church, staff and for these folks with health concerns: Mary, Becca, Jackie, Willis, Bob, Betty, Nelle, Hank, Eileen, Pat, Ida, Barbara and Diane. Also pray for four families who recently lost family members in our “COC circle”. Your prayers are the key to reaching boys and girls with the gospel message and introducing them to our loving God.
Blessed in His service, John & Brenda Grampsas
