An incredible amount of thanks to be given...
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A group playing b-ball during our final
Thanksgiving night
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Every November, this time of year brings to mind how much God has blessed each of us on staff and in roles of the front lines where we work with teens in and through the mission of the Affiliate serving Leavenworth County. This year is nothing different than the years before. God has truly opened our eyes in the areas where we serve and how His plans have remained fruitful in our obedience to work with the lost and hurting teens in our area. Although we want to keep the confidentiality of the students, we will share some insight as to what we have heard and what God has shown us this past year.
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| Keshawn and I together |
God placed it upon our hearts to lean back into a relationship with one of our longer-term students who has had a lot go on in his life and Phil got to re-engage with him in the early part of the month. Specifically, Phil invited Keshawn into the small group huddle which has been happening at the Salvation Army each week on Wednesday nights. It doesn't focus on the basketball, but more on the intersection of life and faith and getting real with one another about our own struggles and also celebrate what is happening in our own lives. Truly it is a family atmosphere which goes deeper than the Thursday night hoop sessions. Amazingly, Keshawn chose to come as he has mentioned to Phil multiple times he missed the group and the family he built in attending Thursday night sessions. Even greater about this story includes how Keshawn has been ailing in and through life as all of his possessions were gone through an incident where they were in a friend's parents' car which had been impounded. Presently, he's staying with his brother locally but still waiting to get into job corps in Manhattan, Kansas. It's truly apparent he's not been eating well as he's dropped a ton of weight and battling an issue of depression and anxiety. Keshawn truly belongs within our grips, even in the trenches and depths of his life because that is truly why we do what we do. He's our family.
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| All the drinks ready for Thanksgiving meal |
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| The food is ready for the teens |
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The students get their food as the leadership
feeds the students |
Another story of an incredible area of thanks includes the numerous students who come into the facility each week notably hungry. Due to the continued weekly blessing from Karen and Teresa who choose to selflessly provide food to our Thursday group, these youth have come to know they are being loved by being fed. Countless times have gone by where teens will ask our leaders what's the plan for food each week due to the fact that they are excited and happy that they receive food to satisfy their hunger. It isn't just from the gracious generosity of these ladies who provide, but our ongoing blessing of our partnership with the Leavenworth County Salvation Army that has provided great amounts of food to feed these great teens as we meet weekly for ministry in the gym together. It has become a usual quote of 'fishes and loaves' where the food brought can take care of our teens no matter how much it looks like.
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| The small group squad together right before Thanksgiving |
Faithfulness has been such a big thing this month as we have seen so many things come together as God has blessed our leaders in being faithful in gathering with our teens beyond the regular weekly events. Specifically, Phil and two of his newest leaders, Kobi and David have been meeting regularly with a group of teens who want to get deeper in their discussion on life and faith and everything in between. This is a group of teens who have shown interest that they want to build a real family atmosphere and get real with one another about life's stuff and unpack it together in a place where it's safe to share and be cared for. The group has ranged from 4 students up to a whole dozen as of late! Multiple students from this intimate group have chosen to reach out to adults when they have life issues that come up, ranging from home life struggles, anxiety issues and friends bullying one another at school. This is beyond a HUGE blessing to be able to provide something and stay faithful to the call God has placed upon us with this great group of teens.
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| One of the evenings where pizza was donated by one of our amazing partners, Unity in the Community |
Finally 2018 has been an incredible year of so many partners who have chosen to join us in this mission and we are so grateful for the following folks who have come alongside us corporately: Lazy D BBQ, Pilgrim Community Church, Westside Family Church Leavenworth, First Baptist Church of Leavenworth, St Paul Lutheran Church, Elite Auto Details, CASA of Leavenworth, Salvation Army of Leavenworth County, Unity in the Community, Leavenworth Youth Achievement Center, Matt Hutabarat Photography, Taco John's of Lansing, Nathan Smith Ministries and Faith Evangelistic Center. As one can see, the Affiliate has been beyond blessed by so many folks who have come alongside the mission of Youth For Christ since our arrival here in reaching lost and hurting teens. God is SO good!
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A view of the packed gym on our final night
of the semester for Thanksgiving
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So...there you have it. We have a TON to be thankful for this season. More than we can put on the blog and share with each of you and it's because of people who have partnered with our missionaries to have them in the field in this area, pursuing lost and hurting teens. Thank you all for being you. Thank you for believing in the call here. Thank you for reading these updates faithfully. Thank you for everything.
~Phil, Amy, Allison
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To give to the YFC Leavenworth County Affiliate, you may go to this link: https://yfc.givingfuel.com/31081
Staff Update:
Phil & Amy Parsons - Phil and Amy are excited to spend Thanksgiving this year in Kansas and invite family to their home and provide the Thanksgiving meal for everyone who attends. Parker's growth has been incredible and he is walking around on his own, in addition to learning more and more with his inquisitive mind.
Allison Adragna - Our amazing second staff person Allison has recently let us know that 30 November will be her final day with our ministry serving Leavenworth County. Allison recently accepted a new position with a retail farm & supply store and will be training to be the eventual store manager. She felt called to stay around the Leavenworth County area due to the fact she has built incredible relationships with teens and others in her church community and is leaning into what God has next for her life. Please join us in thanking her and also praying for her journey.
