It Is Christmas Party Night!!

It's the most wonderful  night of the year!  The Akina Kid's Club Christmas Party!  There will be crazy games, laughter, gifts, and caroling.  Of course, most importantly, we will share the amazing message of Jesus:  God's plan to save us and perfect picture of selfless love.

We have so many things to celebrate this year including God's amazing provision.  First, he has allowed us to raise nearly $17,000.00 to replace the broken boiler with some furnaces.  This was through the amazing generosity of several churches and individuals.  Second, nearly 35 gifts were purchased for the Kid's Club kiddos through the generosity of caring individuals.  We are amazed at what God does!

I want to leave you with this fun story, about what God can do at Christmas time in the lives of children.  Last year (and again this year) we had candlelight caroling.  It was a beautiful and memorable time.  I didn't actually realize how memorable it was until I was doing some spiritual assessments this year to gauge where the students were at spiritually.  One of the questions was, "Do you pray every day?"

I asked a group of first grade girls this question, and one of them perked up immediately.  "I do!" She said.  "I still have my candle from last year, and it reminds me to pray every day!"

She was referring to the candle she took home the night after caroling.  It's battery powered, don't worry!  I just though that was the coolest thing.  By the way, the candle lit carols were the brainchild of one of our amazing leaders.  I love how God uses Christmas to grow seeds of faith in the hearts of the kids!

Please pray with us that the truth of Jesus will take root in the hearts of children and they will truly know Him, and be changed by his presence.

Some Highlights from Minogi!

Hi!  Here are some fun pictures of Minogi nights.  We are currently learning about Christmas, of course!  We have been learning about Christmas prophecy from the Old Testament, memorizing a verse from Psalms, among other things!  Reading proficiency and Bible literacy go hand in hand!

The One who Makes the Darkness Tremble

I am seriously tempted to put up our Christmas tree early this year.  I partially blame the cold temperatures and daylight savings on my attitude.   However,  it seems like many people are feeling like they want to decorate early.  I've seen outdoor Christmas lights up even before Halloween this year!  In my cynicism, (which I am seriously working on), I partially blame that article that came out in social media that claims people are happier when they decorate early for Christmas as the probable cause for this phenomenon.

But I also wonder and can't shake the fact that the atmosphere feels metaphorically darker than normal.  The news...the negativity...the anger.  Perhaps we are all craving the light and hope that Christmas brings just a little bit more than usual.  But, we know that early Christmas lights and gifts are only an attempt at a placebo that will briefly take away the pain.  We desperately long for the hope that the darkness won't win.

Which brings me, rather wordily, to one of my favorite Akina stories from camp.  We sang a song with the kids at chapel that very simply goes like this:  "Jesus, Jesus, you make the darkness tremble.  Jesus, Jesus you conquer fear.."  The kids LOVED it.  They asked to listen to it again, and again, at night when they were going to bed, in the morning when they were getting ready.

The best part was one little girl who seemed to really "GET" it.  One day she pulled her leader aside and asked, "Does Jesus really make the darkness tremble?"

     "Yes," her leader replied confidently.  "The name of Jesus makes the darkness leave!"

     "Wow!" said the girl.  "We usually have to do so many things to try and make the darkness leave at my house, and even THEN it doesn't always work."

This same little girl has been coming to Akina regularly now, loving to learn about God and asking to read in the Bible about how Jesus loves her!

SO, in this time, when darkness seems like it is winning, we can know: it isn't.  It won't.  But as for us, we know "that our Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth in the end."  Job 19:25

We who place our trust in Jesus, who have come to know our Savior, believe the darkness trembles at the name of Jesus because it knows it has already lost.

So, decorate early, be happier, but also remember that the true light who gives light to every man has come into the world!  Yay!  (John 1:9)

Sweet Dreams

There are always honest, inquisitive questions that are asked by the sweetest little people at Kid's Club.  I love it, because these kids are finding their way to Jesus.  This week we were learning about God's Omnipresence.  A fantastic second grader raised his hand and asked, "Does that mean God can be in our dreams?"

The answer, I believe, according to Acts 2:17 is yes, as long as we remember Hebrews 4:12, making sure God's Word is the truth we measure any dream or vision with.

What I didn't realize was that this same little boy had reached out last week to one of our awesome volunteers.  He needed prayer.  He had been having nightmares every night and was afraid to sleep.  Of course, she prayed for him, and had then checked in him that evening.

The result?  His nightmares had stopped and been replaced with dreams of God beating up the bad guys.

Yay!

Our God is the victor, even when we don't see it or feel it.  He is our place of safety, and when we are afraid, we ask him, and he gives us peace.

This little guy knew who to trust: Jesus.  He knew, and his God was faithful to answer him.

These kids are world changers!  I say that often and I am constantly reminded of it.  Our leaders at Akina are world changers too.  They repeatedly step into difficult places and help kids seek the Lord. I'm so blessed that this amazing kiddo didn't hesitate to ask for prayer, and that our amazing volunteer so willingly prayed!

As always, be encouraged to seek Jesus.  Read His Word as the standard for truth, and ask questions. He will meet you and give His peace, even when you don't understand.

That Seeds May Grow!

When I see the two pictures of the Akina garden, I am reminded of how amazing seeds are.  They seem so small, but grow into something bigger and better.  Remarkably, our lives are kinda like that too.  We start out empty, but when God's word is planted in our hearts, it begins to bloom with glorious results.  That's one of the things we pray for at Akina:  That God will grow his word in the hearts of the kids and families who come!  He brings vibrant life to empty spaces.

One of the most anticipated Akina events is happening in exactly one week.  Kids Camp! It's life changing every year, but we need your prayers! Pray for us and the volunteers going.  Pray for safety, fun,

peace, and an incredible time of meeting with the Lord.  This year, our theme verse is John 10:10, and the Gospel is being taught using CS Lewis' story "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe."

Please pray that the students can clearly see the difference between the full and satisfying life God has planned for them, and the brokenness of the enemy.  God still heals hearts!  We believe that great things will happen as life and truth is spoken into campers next week!  Thanks for your powerful prayers!

Relationship=Discipleship

Hi Friends,
We were inspired by these words: In her book, A Framework for Understanding Poverty, Dr. Ruby K. Payne states, " For students and adults from poverty, the primary motivation for their success will be their relationships." (Pg. 105.)  She also quotes J.P Shapiro from his book, Invincible Kids, where it is stated, "Locate a resilient kid, and you'll also find a caring adult - or several-who has guided him."

Want to change the world for a kiddo growing up in generational poverty ( or anyone, really)?  Introduce them to Jesus by being their friend.  "Do life" with them in healthy and safe ways.  Attend a school or sporting event.  Invite their family over for dinner, be there for them!  Scripture is FULL of support for this kind of ministry.  (Check out Galatians 6:2, Proverbs 27:17, and Hebrews 10:24-25 for example).

We have had the amazing privilege of working with some people who practiced relational ministry this month!  For example, we partnered with the Christian Life Church's women's group in Farmington to invite Akina kids to have a fun day at their playground with crafts, face painting, books, kites, and lunch.  It was a blast, and the fun was done all in the name of Jesus!

We also partnered with a fabulous middle school missions team from Autumn Ridge Church in Rochester for an art and sports day camp.  The kids played, crafted, and made new friends at the park right in the community!  These events truly did strengthen relationships with kids and families in the community, and thus allow us to share the Gospel and disciple on

a greater level.  June was a fun month!  Thanks for your continued prayers and support!

Planting Seeds

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  It's garden season.  We like our garden because there are so many amazing lessons we can teach about God's Word and life using it.  The garden is a fantastic object lesson.  Pray for "Akina Grows" this summer as we continue to mature in our walk with Jesus!

The Glory of the Cross: He is Risen!

It's Easter and FINALLY the grass is turning a muted emerald.  (Sorry.  I had to wax a bit descriptive because I just taught a mini writing lesson at Akina Minogi.  I asked the kiddos how many different ways they could say "green" to describe the spring.  They came up with some fabulous ideas.  But anyway.  I digress).
     After an amazing/brainstorming session on writing with some talented authors, we discussed the Gospel, and the story of Easter.  Ms. J, our teacher for the evening, used the Resurrection Eggs to help share the message.  The kids were very interested, and at the end, one lovely 1st grader came up and hugged Ms.J.
     With a huge smile, she said, " I love Jesus.  I know he died just for me!" Her sweet, child's heart was captured by the message of a Savior who loved her enough to give His all for her.
     The story of Easter remains the hope of the ages!  What a blessing we have to share it with the next generation!

We Will Remain Confident: We Will See the Goodness of the Lord!

The kids who come to Akina every week are such a blessing!  These past weeks we talked about how we can trust God, to heal us and take care of us.  Looking forward to another great week!

Building Each Other Up

How many students can you fit on a tiny board?  Surprisingly, quite a few.  Team building and learning about talking to Jesus at Kid's Club tonight!

Lots of Reading Happens on Minogi nights!

Pictures during Akina's literacy program. Reading Rocks!

Practicing Joy!

"Shout a loud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One if Israel among you!" Isaiah 12:6

Practicing fun together at Akina Kid's Club!  Heaven knows we all need it!

Super Sunday!

We had a Super Fun time bringing some kids and volunteers from Akina to Super Sunday at Emmanuel!  What a fun event, and good, inspiring messages about following Jesus and never giving up!

God Can Heal Broken Hearts

These last few weeks at Akina Kid's Club we've been teaching from the theme "God Heals Broken Hearts."  This last week, Ms. Ginny taught about how sin causes our hearts to break.  She used an great illustration that centered around a heart shaped sponge.  One by one, students in the room were chosen to share something that would cause their heart to break, then place a dropper full of dark liquid on to the heart, which would automatically absorb the liquid.  As student shared heartbreaking words like "abuse," and "drugs" the pink heart slowly turned dark.  The message was clear: sin causes our hearts to break-whether it is our own sin, or another person's.

Then Ms. Ginny shared how Jesus came to heal our broken hearts, and save us from the painful effects of sin. Washing the sponge, she reminded the students of Psalm 147:3 which says so clearly:  'He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds."  It is awesome to know that no matter how broken we are, Jesus can heal us, and turn our ugly into something beautiful when we come to him!  "You have turned my mourning into dancing.  You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy."  Psalm 30:11

Unto us a Child is Born

 

Christmas always seems in my mind "the glimmer."  Maybe it is because I've been a part of several Christmas eve candle light services, or the fact that I light zillions of pine scented candles in my home during the season.  I don't know.  What I do know is that when I think of Christmas, the first thing that comes to mind is that glimmer.  That small lick of flame that the darkness threatens to eat up, but can't.  It can't because wherever the light shines, the darkness immediately dissolves.

Then, slowly, the glimmer starts to grow.  Like the dawn, you don't notice it at first, but the light is expanding.  It takes over the darkness almost secretively until it can no longer be held back.  Then the light bursts forth in all its glory!

The hope Jesus brought, started out small, in infant form. It was only a glimmer of hope, really.  But the reality of his birth would destroy the darkness for ever.  In his birth was the awesomeness that now, God was with us.  He was one of us.  And ultimately, the Creator who became like his creation, would die as the sacrifice for them.  Because he loved them.  It is very cool.

We got to share this hope with the Akina Kid's Club kids this season, and it was a blast!  We enjoyed an amazing time of candlelit Christmas caroling, and several kids were even in a drama that told the Christmas story to their peers.  The students were also blessed with cookies and amazing gifts that were given by the generous people at Grace Church in Eden Prairie.  It was amazing because the students really caught on to the goodness of God, and the fact that He was with them this Christmas season.  Their wide eyes and thankful smiles spoke volumes.

We also were able to take several of the Minogi students to the Christmas service at Emmanuel, which they really enjoyed.  How fun to see these beautiful children grow in Christ!  We are so grateful to everyone who helps out and sacrifices time and money to share the Good News of Jesus with the Native families in the Twin Cities.  Their hard work is planting seeds that God can grow!  To God be the Glory!