Showing posts with label Ministry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ministry. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Why I do what I do...

My last post I wrote about my church's 40th Anniversary. At times in my life I have been asked the question of why my church does all that it does. And honestly some times I wonder the same thing. Many times going to the Nursing home week after week and seeing no salivations or going visiting and catching no one home, and going door to door to spread the gospel only to have the door slammed in your face can get discouraging... Many times in my life I have come to a time where I wonder why I am do all that I am doing. Why do I go visiting every Saturday? Is it really worth it...
Last Sunday proved to me that it is worth it all..
Last Saturday I went visiting with my little 10 year old partner, Sabrina. Sabrina was dressed as a birthday present to show everyone that it was the Church's 40th birthday. We went from house to house not catching anyone home. As I drove to the next place I got a text from a fried at work telling me that she wasn't going to come to the service the following day. I was devastated. I had been praying that she would come out for such a long time. She had promised me she would come, and now I had no visitor for the big day. It seemed like I had asked everyone possible yet, still no one was willing to give of their Sunday to come to church with me. I was feeling a little bit down...
I drove up to a house Sabrina and I hopped out of the car, I knocked on the door. There was no answer. I began to walk to the car when I noticed two little girls riding their bikes. I figured I might as well give them a flier and invite them to ride the bus to church. The girls were so very excited when I told them about the events that would take place the next day. I could easily see they wanted to ride the bus to church. So I went up to their house to ask their mother's permission. I went to the door and talked to mom- and she said yes!
I was so excited, I gave her my phone number and walked away.
However, part of me was still pessimistic. I mean, this is Chesterton! People don't just let their children ride on church buses with strangers.
However the next morning as a got on the bus my phone began to ring. I answered it. It was the mother, Lila, she told me that her daughters were up and waiting. She continued to say that both she and her husband were going to drive to the service as well. I was ecstatic! As we drove up to the house- I was filled with such joy as I watched those three little girls climb on.
After the service I was told that Lila would be a little late getting to the bus- you see, both Lila and her husband were getting saved.
That evening I watched both of them get baptized.
My friends- that's why I do what I do... because of people like Lila and her husband.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Anniversary in Pictures


Yesterday my church celebrated its 40th anniversary. I count myself so very lucky to have been apart of the best church in the entire world all of my life. Some of my very first memories are in my church, some of favorite memories take place in my church, and I plan on making many more memories at my church, along side my friends here at church. I love my church for several reasons, however one of the reasons I love of my church most is because the people are constantly busying themselves in the work of the Lord. From the time I was a little girl I watched as my parents, and many other church members gave of their time, efforts,and money. Never once did I hear anyone complain about the many under privileged children who messed up the hymn books and the carpet. Never once did I hear anyone complain about the Spanish, handicapped, or crippled elderly. My church is certainly one with a great heart. I am so proud to be a member of the greatest church ever.

Every anniversary we have a helicopter candy drop for the children. I love watching the faces of the children as the helicopter flies overhead dropping hundreds of pieces of candy to the ground.
Every five years we celebrate our Anniversary with an Old Fashioned Sunday service.

We all dress up in old fashion attire and eat in a large tent.
After the food, several old fashion games are conducted for the children- such as bobbing forAlign Center apples, searching for money in the hay etc...
My life long friend Josh and his beautiful finance, Brittany


Align Center

This year we even had a small petting zoo for the children...
After the evening service we all headed to the gymnasium for cake and fellowship. We presented our pastor and his wife with gifts for their 40 years of faithful service.



I had a hard writing this post. I didn't know quiet how to put to words my love for my church. My church is absolutely everything to me. I honestly don't know how people can survive without a church. I tried my very hardest not to be bias, but I can't help it- I have been a part of this great place all of my life and it truly is one of my favorite places on earth.
Happy 40th birthday, Fairhaven!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Sometimes

Sometimes I don't fee like getting up on Saturday morning after a long, hard, and tiring week. Sometimes I wish I could simply lie in my bed and catch just one more hour of sleep. After all, it seems like I never get to sleep in.
Sometimes I think that it is really a waste of time- I mean how many people have gotten saved from my efforts.
Sometimes my friends die and sometimes it hurts me real bad- sometimes they die when I have only known them for a short period of time. Sometimes they die after several years of our friendship. In fact one of my friends dies almost every month or week.
Sometimes I get angry with how some families neglect their loved ones. And I think how I will never do such a thing.
Sometimes I wonder is after going for years and years if they even remember my name.

Sometimes I wonder is this worth it....

Then I get up, get dressed and go to the Waters of Dune land Nursing Home...
I no longer wish for that extra hour of sleep when I see the elderly...I see them anxiously call for the nurse to get them ready so they can go to the 10:00 church service we hold every Saturday.
I then realize it is worth it when just one person after years of holding service, turns from Catholicism and accepts Christ alone.
Although I have lost many friends, and see so many drift away- I know that I have made a difference in their life- in fact they have made a difference in mine.
I have learned how to encourage the weak, feeble, and lonely.
I have learned that although they may not remember my name- they remember what I come for. As we sing old hymns like: In the Garden, The Old Rugged Cross, or Amazing Grace, my friends have tears come to their eyes. As we take prayer request and each Saturday they thank God that we faithfully visit them. When I leave an hour and half later and they plead for one more hug- after all that may be the only hug they get all week...
Sometimes I think...
Why do I ever wonder if it is worth it...
It is one of the most worthy things I do all week. And if I have to give up an hour of sleep for that- that I'll gladly give it up.
Sometimes- as I sit in the service and listen to my dad preach and my little sister play the piano, I have to sit back and smile- This is so worth it.


Friday, May 21, 2010

My God is so Big!

Have you ever been in the middle of doing something, going through life when out of the blue God speaks to you. Well that happened to me this past week. Every Sunday, I have the privileged of helping on a bus route that goes through the area picking up kids for church. On the way to Sunday School I lead the kids in singing Bible songs, playing a game, telling a story etc... I do this every week... However this past week something happened.
As I stood in front of the bus I began to lead the children in one their favorite songs...My God is So Big: It goes like this:

My God is so Big so strong and so mighty
there's nothing my God cannot do

The mountains are His the valleys are His
the stars are His handy work too

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty
there's nothing my God cannot do -For You!

The children yelled out the final words of the song, "for you" and 40 little fingers pointed directly at me. I stood there speechless for a moment. Thinking...I have been singing that song since I was a little girl. Yet, this was the first time those words ever really hit home to me. It just a children's song. Yet what truth is in those words. My God really is So BIG and you know there's really is nothing that my God cannot do FOR ME!

Sunday, August 30, 2009

You reap what you sow...

Have you ever felt like you are completely wasting your time? Have you ever felt like giving up, after all nothing was coming of all your efforts? Do ever feel like the biblical principle of "you reap what you sow" applies to everyone but you? Well this summer I kinda felt that way. Every Saturday afternoon after I visited the people in the Nursing Home, I would go canvassing just for an hour or so, to find more kids for the bus route. Well I had been doing this all summer. Just last week I began thinking that this hour was a waste of time. You know I could be doing something much more profitable with my time. Something better than walking down the street trying to ask people to let their kids ride the Sunday school bus. After all, all summer I had seen zero results. However, I had gotten the door slammed in my face, I had gotten called a few names, but I had not one person even the slightest bit interested. But then yesterday happened...It was the last street on the block, the last house of the summer...I knocked on the door, no answer. I then looked up into the upstairs window where I saw two little faces pressed against the screen. I spoke to them briefly and asked them if their mother was home. They replied that she was, however, she didn't want to come to the door. I decided to leave a flier in the door and head on home. My partner and I began to walk away, when the door opened. She explained that she was int he middle of doing the dishes etc...she hadn't meant to make us wait. I very simply invited her and her children to come to church, explaining how we have a Sunday school bus that comes through the area and picks up children and brings them to church. What she said next completely shocked me.

"Ok, so you'll be here at 9:00, we'll all be waiting for you. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow"

I could not believe my ears. As I walked away, I thought to myself what better thing could I have possibly done with my time.
Have you ever felt so happy you didn't know what to do? Have you ever felt so full of joy that you feel you might burst if you don't give a little shout? Well that is how I felt today when I watched two little girls get on the bus...my bus...all because I gave one hour of my time...

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

God still answers prayer


Last Sunday was one of the greatest Sundays ever! Timmy, a little boy I have been babysitting for two years now, came to church with me. I couldn't help but beam with joy as I walked back to the bus- with him by my side. He was so cute on the bus. He was trying so desperately hard to sing all the "church" songs. He was so good. And I was so proud to have him ride with me to church.
You know, on Saturday I had to give my testimony in Nursing Home. I encouraged the elderly people to keep praying and to never give up, because God wants to answer their requests. It was then that I realized that I had given up on Tim. I had tried so many times to get him and his mom out to church and it just never worked out, so I gave up. But after I gave my testimony I realized the person who really needed my little " speech" was none other than myself. Later that day I called Tim's mom and asked if he could ride with me. To tell the truth, I didn't believe for one moment that he would be able to. But I decided to give Tim another chance, I decided to see if God really would answer this prayer that I had prayed for for such a long time. And sure enough...God answered my prayer. You know it is so easy for me to give up on God...but He never gives up on me. God is still in the miracle working business. and yes- God still answers prayer.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Easter Sunday

I cannot believe it...Easter aka Resurrection Sunday is here already. I love Easter! I love to watch the Easter program at my church. The program is not preformed by great actors. No, it is not preformed by people even taking speech or drama classes. The program is simply preformed by 3rd through 6th grade kids that my church picks up on the buses. No, the program didn't go perfectly. Yes, there were some mess up. Yes, there were some kids in the choir loft dancing with "Jesus Loves Me" ,and yes a kid did mess up on his line. Yet, I think I would rather attend this play more than any play on Broadway. You see, these kids are special. I love when I catch the eye of one of "my kids" up there. They stop singing and start waving their arms, "Miss Brooke" ( or Mrs. Brooks as most of them call me) "Hi! "Look at me, Mrs. Brooks!" I just love watching all those kids some from Gary, Portage, Black Oak, Chesterton etc... I don't know what will come of those kids. But I like to think that may be one or two of those kids will give there life completely over to the Lord, and make a difference in this world. I like to think that maybe one it would be one of"my kids." Maybe because I prayed for them. Maybe because I made a difference in their life. Who knows?

Sunday, March 22, 2009

I'm praying for you



Have you ever come to a time, when you feel completely at loss of words? You want to say something, but what should you say? I have helped on a bus route for about 4 years now. I love my bus route. I have learned so much from working with the kids that come into church. Well, one family in particular, has captured my attention. The oldest boy's name is Robert. He is about 13 or so. He is a riot. He is a good boy, he liked to help lead the singing etc...on the bus. You see, he was just too old to sit with the rest of the kids, he was a helper not a "bus kid." The second child is Nyah. She is about 10. She has always been one of my favorites. She is really sweet and funny. The youngest, is Marley. Who is 8. Well, several weeks ago, these children's father shot himself in the head, right in front of young Marley. I'm sure you can only imagine the problems these kids are now going through. I still have not seen Robert at all, so I do not know how he is handling it all. But when Nyah and Marley began riding the bus again, I have to admit, I was kinda nervous. Should I act the same to them- should I continue to be the funny and cheerful Miss Brookey they have known me as, should I tell them I am praying for them. should I asked them how they are really doing? I decided to just be the same. It was the easiest thing to do. Well, just the other day, Nyah came running up to me all excited. Miss Brooke! Miss Brooke! Guess what! I am going to choose one person ,and start really praying for them. "Oh you are...so ,who are you going to pray for Nyah?" Well, Miss Brooke...I'm praying for you! I was taken back. After all this girl had gone through... she was praying for me? Tears weld in my eyes. "Well Nyah, I am certainly praying for you too!" I learned an important lesson, from a child who rides my bus to church. A child who has only been saved for a few short months. A child who was a real encouragement to me. If I am ever at loss of words, just simply say "I'm praying for you." It means more than I can ever imagine. Those four words, bring such comfort. Next time, I am at a loss of words, perhaps someone is going through something hard, the best thing to say is , "I'm praying for you"

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

My 4th Grade Sunday School Teacher

My 4th grade Sunday school teacher was an amazing woman. I will never forget the many contests she had. If I could go for 3 months saying my verse every week and bringing my Bible etc..I would get a book. I still have several books from her. She helped me learn the importance of memorizing the Bible and hiding God's Word in my heart. She taught me that God's Word is the most important book in the whole world, but she also encouraged me to read..GOOD books about GOOD christian people. I will never forget some of her simple Bible stories she taught. I remember her teaching about Jacob and Esau. The story of when Esau's birthright was sold for a bowl of "stew." She then brought a pot of stew, and we all got to eat it. I thought that was awesome! On another occasion she brought breakfast for the entire class. She definitely won my heart through the food! But as I look back over all my Sunday School teachers, my 4th grade teacher was definitely the most influential. She was not deep, she was a very simple teacher. But she definitely got her point across to me. God's Word is the most important book! Tomorrow I will attend the funeral of my most beloved Sunday school teacher. A woman who truly loved her class of 3o girls. A woman who gave her whole heart to her students. A woman who now with Jesus...looking down from heaven cheering me on.