More family fun!

Malia tutoring long division

Emgard, David, Johannes, and Janine

Serious theological discussions, questions about love & marriage, afternoon tutorial sessions, live music, record sales days, dancing and singing in the kitchen.... and so much more fill our days.  Challenges and rewards --- such is the balance of ministry here. 

Friday night these three students and David (staff) served tables at a school fundraiser.  We are building a reputation in the community and the leaders of the event asked us to send workers -- another great opportunity to let our lights shine!

Family feeling

What is it about feeling connected?  Doesn't everyone want to know that they belong?  That they are wanted?  We are seeing a very distinct change in the attitudes and behavior of our trainees since we handed them their cafe T-shirts the other day.  Wow!  Several of them hang out longer than the schedule demands.... just don't want to go home.  There's obviously a feeling of family, of connectedness that they long for.  Of course, it's the LOVE being expressed through our staff and all of us as we work together to serve customers.  It's truly a beautiful thing!  You can see from the pictures that the staff has embraced James and Malia, and also our new trainees.  It's like one BIG, family!  .... oh... getting bigger too.  Yikes!

Ripple effect

David our Lead Server

Yesterday I (Catherine) listened as one of our staff members shared devotion time with our new students.  He told some of his own story - how he lived for the drinking party every weekend.  He painted a picture of a very sad, hopeless young man who was ready to give up.  Then, one day... God entered his life and changed everything.  It was one of those moments when you realize, "this is what it's all about."  We came here with a message of Hope and Love and he was one of the young men in our classroom who studied what God had to say about him.  He learned about the truth of God's love and care for His children and embraced it with an eager heart.  Now to watch him light up with the joy of the Lord as he explains how his journey of faith has strengthened him and given him a greater hope than he could ever imagine. We passed on the message to him and watching him pass on the message to these eager students ..... well.... I can't describe the sense of spiritual fulfillment I felt.  My heart is overflowing with gratitude today!