Today's  Christian Girl

 

 
Parents and Leaders Newsletter 

Sept/Oct 2011

 
Fall trees, fence
Our Staff
Sis. Oaks
Gwyn Oakes President

 

 

L.Gleason
Linda Gleason Secretary

 

 

Debbie Sanders new

Debbie Sanders

TCG Director

 

 

Wanda Fielder
Wanda Fielder Connections Director

 

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Dear Directors and Parents~
 
Debbie Sanders shares a timely article with us concerning the need to reach out to everyone no matter the response.  We all have encountered similar situations as she describes below, and perhaps have sometimes given up too easily in our attempt to be a friend.  

 

Read this informative article and commit to reaching the lost, lonely, hurting or depressed by every opportunity we have available.    

 

Connections  

 

Can I Be Your Friend?

 

 

Sad Girl

 

Finally, she had found a safe home.  Because of parents that had abused and mistreated her, little10 year old Samantha had been placed in the state foster care system.  And finally, here she was, in a Pentecostal preacher's home.  You couldn't get more secure than that! 

 

I met Samantha at a Bowling Tournament our District had as a fundraiser. When asked if Samantha could be on my team, I heartily agreed.  I had my old 10 year old daughter on my team, so I thought the set up to be a perfect one. But as I tried to befriend the little girl, she resisted.  My daughter reached out in friendship, but was met with what seemed to be a cold shoulder.  Samantha was sullen and sad.  She spoke little and smiled even less.  My heart went out to her.  How could we let her know she could trust us? 

 

Many different types of girls will come through our church doors.  Those raised in the church are quite accustomed to the atmosphere and safety of the church.  Those that come into the church from good moral homes seem to fit right in and excel in the church family.  But many more will come to us from abusive homes where lies and empty promises are common occurrences.  Many young girls come to the church having only been with adults who have neglected them and perhaps even misused their bodies. Often when these girls look around and see the comfortable homes of other young ladies within their youth groups, where every need is met...and almost every want, they will withdraw and seem uninterested in making connections with others.  This is only because of the insecurity she feels in her own family situation.

 

How can we help these girls adjust to living within the church family? Whose job is it to help these young girls heal from their abusive and neglected pasts?  It is the obligation of ALL of us.  We, as the body of Christ must reach out to every person that walks through our church doors - with or without emotional baggage. 

 

There are few greater gifts that you could give someone than the gifts of time and attention, so time after time I tried that day to befriend little Samantha.  When the day was finished, I felt that I had failed.  The smiles were just as few and her guard was still up.

It was just a month or so later that we had our Family Camp.  How surprised was I to have a little girl race across the Campground to give me a hug and a beautiful genuine smile.  "Samantha!"  I exclaimed.  "I'm SO happy to see you!"  My heart was warmed.  My efforts had paid off.  To my great pleasure, my Brooklyn spent the next few days of Camp securing a new friendship with Samantha.  Her heart had gone out to Samantha and she had spent some time talking to God about her little friend.

 

What will Samantha's future hold? I do not know.  But for now, I will keep reaching out to her, along with the rest of the church body and wherever she goes, she will remember that the love of God was shone to her by His people.

 

Who can you be "Jesus" to?  Look around your church; your TCG club.  Is there one that seems disinterested?  Is there one that drives all friends away because of her attitude?  Try to look past the cover-ups that are put on and see the hurt and distrust that she may be feeling.  You never know....you may gain a friend through it...and save a life!

 

God bless,

Debbie Sanders

 

 
Girl in DressAn excellent book concerning what the Bible teaches concerning our walk, talk and dress.  Teach your girls the honor of being different.  A great Bible study tool!
 
Thank you for giving to the Kingdom!

 

UPCI Ladies Ministries
8855 Dunn Road
Hazelwood, Missouri 60342
314-837-7300

 

 

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