A little girl from Good News ® Club came for counseling yet was not ready to make a decision for Jesus. Two weeks later she again came for counseling, this time her heart was ready to receive the gift of salvation. My heart was touched by this little girl in her wrinkled school uniform.
Once I returned to the office and started to repack my bag from the club I opened the “question box” to review the questions given by the children. There I found a note from the same little girl asking, “When Jesus died on the cross was he thinking of me?” With tears streaming down my face I began to pray for her: I asked God to protect her, guide her and to help her grow in her new found faith. A week later the same sweet little girl volunteered to pray for the children of North Korea. With that childlike faith she just prayed a heartfelt prayer asking God to help the children in North Korea. During that week’s club she also asked me for a Wordless Book so she could share that cool story with her friends. Giving her my Wordless Book I instructed her that she should share it with at least two others as this is witnessing. She came back the next week having shared with four people including an uncle and her dad.
How great is our God! is the song my heart sings in Thanksgiving for His answer to prayer for a little one who gave her life, after what I imagine was a two week search, to Jesus.
He came as a baby in a manger, grew as a man, died, was buried and rose again, and lives with His Father in heaven~ all so we wouldn’t have to be separated from God by our own sins, this is the miracle of Christmas.
Jimmie Lu Smallwood
Recent Gifts
Gifts were given to Child Evangelism Fellowship of Schuylkill County between
October 24 to November 17, 2017 to the Glory of God.
In Memory of:
Les Mengel by: Linda Bollinger
Bill Houtz by: Laverne Houtz
In Honor of:
Nate and Peg Heim by: Joan Mengel
Community Aid
Community Aid is a nonprofit charity that collects clothing and then sells the donated clothing in their thrift stores which are located in Selinsgrove, Lancaster, Mechan- icsburg, Hanover and Harrisburg. “All items will be sold at affordable prices to allow our neighbors a place where they can shop for what they need for their families.”
A clothing collection bin is placed at the home of Ron and Shelley Hikes, 1315 Long Run Road, Friedensburg (1.6 miles on Route 443 West of the intersection of Rts. 443 and 183), near the “Ron’s Woodshop” sign. As a partner of Community Aid Child Evan- gelism Fellowship of Schuylkill County will receive $ .04 per pound for the clothing collected. After one year of partnership CEF of Schuylkill County will be eligible to apply for grants valued up to $5,000. (Collection of clothing only. Please do not include toys, household good, books, furniture, etc.)
This is just another way to support Child Evangelism Fellowship of Schuylkill County, a local ministry reaching the children in your neighborhood with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
A Note from the Committee
As you can see from the “Budget Corner” CEF of Schuylkill County has fallen short of the 2017 budget. We are thankful that every bill is paid, including salaries. This is a direct result of a few substantial gifts that were given and set aside in savings for just such a purpose.
Due to rising costs and ministry opportunities the 2018 budget has been increased by $4,000. A main element of the budget increase is in the area of ministry out- reach: we are looking to begin a bus ministry transporting the children to and from camp, and to purchase Keys for Camp devotionals again. Increasing ministry outreach also increases the office expenses: envelopes, paper, copier toner, postage, etc.
Schuylkill County CEF has never needed to take time away from direct ministry outreach and put that time into fund raising events or to require the staff to only get paid what they directly raise for their own personal support. Salaries have al- ways been included in the general fund.
Please note: the increase in budget is not due to raises in salary.
We ask that you keep the financial needs before the Lord. Our policy has always been, “Ask God and tell His people.” God continues to bless CEF of Schuylkill County. Please see the enclosed Memorial & Tribute Gifts slip: This is an opportunity to support the summer bus ministry.
In appreciation,
Schuylkill County Committee
To view the full December 2017 newsletter, click here.