Aug 26
As I look back on this summer I am filled with so much joy! I can’t even begin to express the many many things God did this summer. He provided, he strengthened, he worked, and he gave me joy! God is SO good! I’m disappointed that I didn’t get to come to welcome home and see all you fabulous people, and hear of the amazing things God did this summer, but I still look back and think of how amazing this summer truly was.
One cool thing about this summer for me, that I realized as I was thinking about my past blog posts, was that in my first blog I mentioned that my prayer for this summer came straight from a song that said, “Chains be broken, lives be healed, eyes be opened, Christ is revealed.” God totally answered this prayer. As I was driving in my car listening to this song on my way to clubs at the beginning of the summer, I just had this sense in me of how powerful these words were. These words completely expressed my hearts desire for this summer. That through clubs kids would come to know Jesus Christ. That there eyes would be opened, walls would be broken down and there lives would begin to heal, because of the power of Jesus Christ. God totally opened my eyes, as well, to what is going on around me in my city. He gave me a completely new perspective and showed me things I had never seen before. He also revealed to me HIS LOVE for all the kids I came into contact with. God opened my eyes to so much this summer. He gave me a renewed passion for my city, and a renewed passion for working with kids of all different cultures. I totally and completely believe that 5 Day Clubs is right where God wanted me to be this summer.
Before I end off this last post I want to just say a huge thank you. Thank you to everyone who has been praying throughout this summer. You have no idea how much of an impact those prayers had. Lives were changed for eternity this summer and God was working in incredible ways. A very special thank you to my CeeGee, Mrs. Stobbe. Thank you for dedicating time this summer to praying for me. God has answered so many prayers this summer. I would love to meet with you sometime and tell you more about this summer. I experienced joy, energy, and peace as I taught and especially as I drove. Each day I was surprised at how God renewed my strength and gave me the enthusiasm to keep on going. Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Durston for all the countless hours you have spent organizing, coordinating, praying, encouraging, and so so so much more to make this summer possible. You are both incredible leaders and God has gifted you in amazing ways to run this ministry so well. I am so encouraged every time I talk with either of you. And thank you to all the other CYIA workers. Thank you for being such an encouragement to me! I am so glad I had the opportunity to meet each and every one of you this summer.
This summer has been incredible! It is so exciting to think about each unique child that I had the opportunity to get to know this summer and how they have grown to know more about Christ. Please remember these kids in your prayers.
Aug 26
Hello, I know I’m a little late but I’ve been somewhat busy. but this blog is for auntie Hellen and everyone else that prayed for me this summer, thank you very much you have been amazing and i am very thankful for you!
once again thank you and God bless you!!!
Aug 26
This summer has definitely been just as much a summer of learning for me as it has been for these children we’ve reached! As I reflect on the past two months, each and every day God has blessed me and taught me something new. I learned to open my heart to the truth of God just like the children coming to the clubs; I learned to have a child like faith and what that really means. To be searching for the heart of God and not questioning whether it was really Him speaking; to not disregard the little things that God uses in our lives just because I was expecting something specific instead of letting God be God, who doesn’t need big explosions to change things; to trust that even though I sometimes don’t see the harvest, God worked in these kids and someone else will harvest these seeds; God doesn’t need us to accomplish His work, He only chooses to use us because He loves us, so it doesn’t matter if I feel inadequate because He works in amazing ways despite our inperfection; I don’t need to feel less of myself because I’m exhausted, just trust that in my weakness His strength is made perfect…. The list goes on and on! This summer has been a tough summer… Sometimes discouraging, as all of us seem to have expressed. Sometimes I felt so exhausted, especially my last week, right after Street Invaders. Sometimes I’ve felt like I wasn’t doing anything because I was seeing no results. Then I’m reminded that it’s not me who’s responsible for these kids’ salvations, all I need to do is be obedient and trust. And it gives me so much joy to think about how many people heard the Gospel message for the first time, and the hearts that were touched whether we saw it or not. I know God has used us all to accomplish His work, and it makes me so excited. He is so good! Though our summer is now over, I know God will never stop working in the hearts of the children we reached. Those who accepted Christ through this… they are now starting on a journey. They just started walking with our God. What a unique journey I know He will take each one of them on! It makes me excited. And for those that didn’t make that decision yet, God still worked. I continue to pray for the children, that God stirs up such passion in them to know Him. His work is just beginning! So, here’s to the beginning of the work of God in these kids. ha.
By the way, I am so so appreciative of my CeeGee! And all those who have prayed for us and this ministry and the kids. But to my CeeGee, especially, I am so thankful to you for faithfully praying for me! God has been definitely at work, and has taught me so much this summer. Your prayers have been very much appreciated! To know you had been praying for me all summer was so wonderful to know. God has taught me so much this summer, speaking to me every day. Thank you for faithfullly going to Him on my behalf. I know God will honor you. And I honor you now. Thank you so much. I’m so thankful for you! God bless you, as you have blessed me!
So… I guess that pretty much sums up my summer! God has been so good to us, and continues to remind me over and over… we serve such a good and faithful God! It was so good to be a part of His work. And, I was so glad to have met so many of the rest of you, CYIA workers! You guys are so awesome. God bless you this year! I won’t stop praying for you!
Aug 25
Wow, what a summer! Again God has been faithful to myself, each one of the workers, along with this ministry  God again has caused me to grow closer to Him this summer, as I saw Him over and over again answer my prayers, give me day-to-day strength as I taught each club.
The last week I taught was so amazing! As I was able to lead a little boy to Christ, who after saying the prayer he said “I asked Jesus into my heart for the first time! Now I’m going to get my mansion!!” with the biggest smile on his face as he clapped his hands What was really cool to see was this little boy who just the day before asked “what is sin?”, was now the boy who was answering any question I threw the kid’s way. The Holy Spirit was already giving him understanding of God’s Word
I taught 2 VBS’s that week with 16 in Gull Lake and 13 in Tompkins, I had an awesome time teaching both clubs, though exausted at times, God in His goodness and faithfulness sustained me.
I guess the question has come back to me as it did last year, when you come to the end of the summer you can think thats it. But I do know for many of the children this is just the beginning of a new life in Christ! And especially as a worker you can be almost discouraged, thinking well how in the world will these kids stand in such a sick world with no Christian influence in the family or for some, town! But God reminded me again that we as workers are leaving these children in the hands of an almighty God who IS the same God who parted the red sea before the israelites, the same God who defeated Goliath, the same God who died on the cross, and rose again!! And that same God, is the God inside these children’s hearts!
We can be confident knowing that as God has said in John 10:28 “No one can snatch them out of His hands!” also in Phil. 1:6 “Being confident of this that he who began a good work in you, (these children) WILL carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus!
I want to thank everyone for your prayers and support this past summer! As they were answered from day to day!
I would like to expecially thank my CeeGee for your daily prayers this summer! I can’t even begin to thank you! As I would daily feel God sustain me from club to club, may God bless you for serving him in this way
And as it says in Jude 24 “To him who is able to keep you (the children) from falling and to present you (the children) before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen”
God bless you all!
Levi
Location(s): Levi Durston
Aug 25
Well this summer certainly was great!!! At the beginning of the summer I think I saw teaching more of as a job but God really changed my heart to where I needed to be at. Throughout all the summer I can say that God proved Himself faithful and providing. Just in every circumstance He provided and even though I might not of been faithful, He always was. With being on the front lines of ministry there was also a lot of battling to do throughout the summer.
I want to thank my Ceegee, Mrs. Vanstone, for praying for me all the time It was so great to meet you too!! I loved the day we got to have lunch together. May God bless you for all the time you have put into praying for my summer Thank you also for all the others who prayed for me! They certainly weren’t prayed in vain because they were all soooo appreciated.
Probably my favourite thing about the summer was being encouraged from the kids. Just the joy and energy they have makes you so joyful after being with them. I loved it.
And ya. That is my summer in a nut shell haha.
Aug 24
Really we have reached the end of our summers but it has only begun for many of the children we have taught. Many have had seeds planted that now need a lot of TLC. That would be my one last prayer request.
I would really like to thank my CeeGee for praying for me all summer. I have never fell so much attack from Satan, but I have also never felt so much of God’s glory in a single summer. As I sat there listening to the stories I was quickly reminded of my own.
The time where God made sure to get me to a club on time
Or when he turned the power back on for my club
Or when he gave me the ability to bandage my car
Or the countless times he calmed the storms.
He took care of me in all things. The small and the big. He brought people into my life to share stories with, to encourage me and to encourage, to teach and to be taught by. Each and every day, and I definitely felt his power. I asked myself after my last club, would I come back? I said no, it has been a great summer but I had wanted something different. Now as I look back and see everything God has done, how could I want something different?
Aug 22
I want to first of all thank everyone who upheld this ministry in prayer! I want to especially thank the Circle Drive Prayer Band for their faithful prayers for this ministry and each one of the CYIA workers who taught this summer. Only eternity will tell the impact of your faithful prayers has had on this ministry to children this summer.
I want to thank each of the CYIA for their faithfulness this summer as you faced challenges as well as victories all summer long. The impact your ministry has had will never be fully known on this earth, but there will come a day when it will be reveled and I want to thank you and the encouragement you have been to me.
I would also like to thank each of our coordinators across Saskatchewan as over and over again I would encourage you to go to the open door and that is exactly what you did. This summer we went into 159 cities and towns, community after community reserve after reserve anywhere we could and this summer when it was all said and done God had opened 304 doors for the 5-Day Clubs each one a different door to take the gospel to the children in churches, backyards, regional parks, school grounds, and community halls. I want to thank each of you for your faithfulness and diligence as you sought to find the open doors for the 5-Day Clubs this summer.
Week 6 was another incredible week and far exceeded my expectations as the number of children who attended the clubs continued to climb. In the last 2 weeks of 5-Day Clubs we were just 2 children shy of having 2,000 children in attendance in the last 2 weeks. Truly amazing to think that this summer some 26 young people could take the gospel across our province and reach out to 4,782 children presenting the gospel each step of the way providing every child an opportunity to respond.
Week 6:
Total # of clubs 55
Unchurched children – 402
Churched children – 527
Total Children Enrolled – 929
Decisions – 47
Totals for the summer of 2010
Decisions – 281
Unchurched Children – 2,239
Churched children – 2,543
Total Enrollment – 4,782
So far attendance is up over 14.1% from last summer!
Percentage of Unchurched Children 46.8%
Total # of 5-Day Clubs 304
Average enrollment in each 5-Day Club 15.7
Top 3 attendance in the clubs Week 6
1. Grace Sichangwa – 117 children
2. Melodie Janzen – 115 children
3. Marley Berge – 65 children
Stories of Gods faithfulness to many to count!
As I close for my last post of the 5-Day Club ministry this summer I want to once again give God all the glory for what He has done this summer. This ministry in the province of Saskatchewan would be nothing without Him. As I say in almost every workshop I give and I say it again tonight. We must always remember that everything is ALWAYS ALWAYS ABOUT HIM! and to Him we give all the honor and all the glory for what He has done through this ministry to children this summer. God bless you all for your part in this exciting ministry to children.
For the sake of the children,
Mr. D
Aug 21
As my final post, I just wanted to quickly say thanks to quite a list of people.
(Even though they may not see this), I would like to thank the kids – even the ones who seemed bored, that they came. It was such a pleasure getting to see each and everyone one of you everyday. You all touched my heart dearly.
I’d like to thank my CeeGee. Even though I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you, I sincerely appreciate your committment to pray for me this summer. I am so thankful for you!
I’d like to thank all of my hostess’s for being incredibly amazing – it was as though all of the world’s nicest people were put on my intinerary as host clubs. All of you had a passion for God, that was such an encouragement to me, as I continued my spiritual journey this summer. God bless everyone of you! 
I’d like to thank everybody who gave me rides during the summer – mom, dad, the Durston’s – thank you SO much, because without you guys, I wouldn’t have gotten a chance to tell kids about the Good News of Christ. And don’t worry, because when I teach next summer , I will have my lisence by then
I’d finally, would like to thank God, for being so faithful. If it wasn’t for Him, I would not have been able to endure this entire summer of teaching. He truly was my strength when I was weak.
I probably missed a few people in between, but thank you all! I couldn’t have done this summer without you.
Thanks again, and God bless you all,
Grace
Aug 20
I cannot BELIEVE this summer is over! My last club, as I was finishing up teaching Whiter than snow the thought came to me…it’s done. It’s so sad! I love teaching so much! But I guess it’s not done forever, just for the summer! But it was such a wonderful summer. I cannot even begin to put it all down in words and express how wonderful this summer was!
God worked it such amazing ways and worked in my life so much this summer! I could see the difference he made it childrens lives and everything! It was just so wonderful!
This week was such a wonderful week to end on! My clubs were all so awesome! Our morning club was wonderful with a total of 10 kids! And they were all so enthusiastic! But I would like prayer, and continued prayer. There was a little boy who had came yesterday and today and he raised his hand during the invitation…very slowly and shy. I tried to find a time but wasn’t able to. But I talked to the hostess about it and told her and she said that she was going to talk to him or try to at least so that’s good
Our second club was so much fun! they were always energetic and so diligent in learning their verses and doing lessons, it was such a fun club to go to and today I couldn’t stop smiling and during nothin’ nothin’ I couldn’t even sing I was laughing because these kids were so adorable!
The last club I taught with sam was the awkward club at times and today there were only 2 ages 14 and 12! but it was good, we didnt really sing much we told the stories though and it was good they listened really well, and then we were able to have a long talk with the hostess, who also happens to be their mom. and we got to have a good talk with her It was wonderful!
The club that I taught at my church worked out to be a wonderful club as well! We got 18 kids to come to it and they were so involved and wonderful! I enjoyed this club so much! and being able to lead my brothers to Christ was the most wonderful thing ever! Also the other girl who came to Christ on wednesday, was already inviting her friends answering questions and just setting such a wonderful Christian example! I am so excited for her to have come to Christ and to be living her life for God! She is planning on going to a kids club program in the fall and coming to our church! God works in wonderful ways!
But this summer was absoletly phenominal! I honestly didn’t think the summer could be better than last years but…God proved me wrong! I couldn’t of asked for a more encouraging summer! This was just wow, words cannot express! I had the privlilage to plant 316 seeds and it was so encouraging to people able to teach that many kids this summer!
Thank you so much for all praying My summer was fantastic and without your prayers it wouldn’t of been near as good! God is awesome
God Bless your year!
Aug 20
Wow. I truly can’t believe that this summer of teaching is over! Teaching clubs has been one of the best (and hardest) experiences of my life. God is truly amazing, and I have gotten to learn a ton about Him – and have gotten to grow in Him too. Today I was so exhausted, that throughout the entire day I was constantly just praying, “God, give me the strength to teach today.” And during today’s Bible story about Peter, I always would talk a bit about Peter’s friend Mary, and how all of the people praying there would have been exhausted from a hard day’s work, but they decided to pray for Peter instead. That story motivated me to press on today, and I think Addidas says it best, “Impossible is Nothing.” I think that phrase is much better suited for God, than overpriced sneakers  , because He defies all “impossibilites” – and He has shown me constantly, that he can do anything. During some clubs, I have literally felt as though I could possibly fall over, and sleep, but by the grace of God I’ve been able to continue – and have also gotten some decisions!
So, my numbers were slightly off for the VBS, but I had a grand total of 35 kids, and… 7 decisions! And my total amount of kids (including my church) this week would be… 117 kids! It was SO cool, and amazing – praying with children and leading them to Christ, is the most rewarding thing. There was a girl who decided to talk to me, and she told me that for the past week, she’s started reading her Bible, and praying, but she’s never asked Christ into her heart. And I prayed with her – it was amazing. Me and the kids had a ton of fun today, and the quizzing was so much fun. Oh! And speaking of quizzing, I have decided this fall (wait for it), I’m going to join their quizzing team! I’m super excited for that.
My second club was pretty good. I was pretty late, and when I got there, only 6 kids were there. I found out afterwards that there was a babysitter, who refused to let the 8 of the kids come  It was pretty sad, but I got to tell the story it was amazing. There was these Native kids, who were SO cute – and they listened. And you could see in there faces that they were so interested in everything. “Casey” was also there today, but I could see how broken she was – and that the only thing that can heal that is Jesus.
Well,I only had three clubs today, and at my third club they got 31 kids! They soaked me with a hose afterwards, and it was so cold. Oh my goodness, haha. That club continued to get more, and more difficult for me this week to teach it – just I felt as though the kids didn’t care to be there, and as though they were getting absolutely nothing out of it. And its not like today, I felt as though the kids were being especially attentive today, but I know that those seeds were planted – and they will bear fruit. Even if its in twenty years from now, it has been planted! And I have to trust that the Holy Spirit will continue to work in the kid’s lives.
Well, I’m pretty excited for tomorrow! It should be good. God bless you all, and He will honor everyone of you guys for your work this summer!
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