We just finished our 2nd Session of VOBS and I can't explain how much I enjoyed this group of 14-17 year olds! One of the things that we did during VOBS each morning was meet with our small groups and share the gospel through the bridge diagram. At Eikon, we call it the Bridge of Life, and it is a helpful tool in being able to communicate the gospel to others. It's neat for me to look back at the first day of the program and see how there seemed to be a lack of interest in the gospel from the group, to now being able to say that there are 4 girls out the 7 that want to continue meeting when school starts back. Three of the girls have given their life to Christ (Darian, Tammira, and Jericca) and there is one who has expressed to me and the other girls that she wants to surrender all to Christ.

On one of the last days of VOBS, I asked the girls to write me a letter to tell me what they have learned through VOBS and what they want their lives to look like after VOBS is over. Here are some of the letters that were written...

Hey Ms. Candice,
This program has really brought a helpful vision to me about God and I want to thank all of you for teaching me. Especially you Ms. Candice. You taught me the [gospel] bridges the best way you could. I've been through a lot, and I mean A LOT, and after talking to you it really helped me. I felt like the world was against me and those who I had here for me died so I started thinking it wasn't meant for me to be happy. After working with VOBS I've realized even if I don't have 1 friend or family member to talk to God is always here. Ms. Candice you have been an inspiration in my life since the day we met. You are a kind hearted, hard working, young lady and I would love to be just like you when I get older. The program itself has also helped me a lot because it taught me things that I really need to know in the real world. I want to thank you all because you're blessed to have the gift of God, and that's touching our hearts. Thank you all. Love Jerrica Lumpkin. (11th grade)

The VOBS program has done a whole lot for me this past summer. You have taught me things that I can guarantee you that I will use in the future. You inspired me to become more intuned with myself and with GOD. I want you to be my mentor because I really think I can learn a lot from you in the near future. Most of all I want to thank you for changing my life over these past two weeks. I was going through a lot when I first got here, but being here has taught me that you don't have to go through hard times alone. I love the VOBS program and that's what I had to say about how it has impacted on me. ~Darian (10th grade)

Dear Ms. Candice,

I’ve learned many things working with VOBS. We learned that to work anywhere you have to be a hard worker and also you have to want to work. Your first appearance is your best appearance. We also learned that you have to believe that God will help you and wants you to believe that he will. Being in this group has taught me that if I want to achieve something I have to trust in God first. This group has also helped me started a better and new life for myself and also taught me how to get alone with other people better. ~Tammira (11th grade)

Dear Ms. Candice,
I have learned a lot from you and also the other members at VOBS. After I leave here I plan to go to college and make a change with my life. This job has really taught me a lot and I have learned a lot from the man upstairs. I just want to say thank you for all that you have done for us. You have been a great mentor!!!!!!!!!! I have learned to stand my ground and do what’s right towards people. I also learned more about god which was like giving my life to him. After this is over I would change my life for what’s right and start going to church more gives myself to God. So thank you for sharing with us and being there for us through everything we have been through. You are one of the greatest peoples in the world!!!!!!!!!~Angelica (10th grade)

Here is an Update...It's been a long time!

I can not believe that it is already July...the summer is going by so fast!

You may be wondering what I have been up to that has kept me away from blogging the past month. Well, it's VOBS...Vocation Beginners School! VOBS is a 4-week summer jobs program for youth, broken into a 2 week session for 10-13 year olds and a 2 week session for 14-17 year olds. There are about 90 youth that went about an intense eight-week training session before the summer started. Each youth was required to write a resume, ger reference letters, complete a job application, and have a successful job interview before they could participate this summer. Here is a break down of the activities the youth take part in during a typical week in VOBS:

• 10 hours vocational training (work)
• 8 hours of biblical training classes (study)
• 2 hours of field trips and recreational activities

All of the work the youth do are services needed around the community-yard work, cleaning lockers at East High, or even washing cars. Local businesses and supporters have donated funds so that at the end of the program, each student has the potential to earn $250 for the two weeks.

We held our first session June 16-28 with the 10-13 year olds and I absolutely loved every minute of it! I haven't had many opportunities to work with children this age but the Lord has continued to awe me with the way He works in and through young people. One girl in particular is a 12 year old named Jacqueline. She was one of the girls that was in my group I met with each morning before we started work. Jacqueline has gone to church her entire life, lives with her grandmother and other siblings, and has told me that she lives in a really dangerous area here in Memphis. Well, I noticed early on that she is a natural leader, so I knew that if I could gain her trust and respect, I would have a better chance to be trusted and respected by the other middle school girls. So each morning, we would talk about various things, talk through the gospel with the bridge diagram, and pray for whatever they brought up. After about the first week, I asked the girls to tell me what we had been talking about through the bridge and I was completely awed by the way some of the girls could understand what we had been talking about...especially Jacqueline! So I pulled Jacqueline aside while we were working and asked her if she had ever repented and trusted in Christ for salvation and she told me she did the previous night, which was Sunday after church. She told me that her church had made her think that in order to be right with God was through being a good person, but finally understood that "no good is good enough" for God. She had been listening intently all week and told me she realized that her church was wrong and that we can only come to God through Christ because we are separated by sin but He was perfect and died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin. The coolest thing is that on the last day of VOBS, we gave an opportunity for any of the kids to share with the entire group what they enjoyed about the program the most. Some shared about the fun we had at the pool, the money they would recieve, and other things...but Jacqueline shared her testimony with 45 kids without anyone encouraging her to do so! God has changed her heart and made her new and she wants everyone to know! She is not the only one either...there are 2 other girls that I know of that have been changed by the Good News they have finally had the opportunity to hear for the first time. Please pray for Jacqueline (12), Dynasty(10), and Miesha (11) that they would continue to desire the Lord sincerely. Also, pray for the staff as we follow up with them in discipleship.