Celebration Story From Jan Stravers

Eighteen women just completed a 12 week study with Beth Moore on the book of Daniel. We learned a lot and also found out how much we didn't know (about history, prophecy, and end times). We were also challenged to continue to study and look at the different ways of interpreting these matters. We learned that our society is much like Babylon's culture with an "it's all about me" mentality and were inspired to try to make a difference in this culture in which God has placed us. The words from the old song mean a lot more to us now!

Dare to be a Daniel; dare to stand alone. Dare to have a purpose firm; dare to make it know.

Celebration Story From Jeff & Rebecca Steigenga

Here are the things that the Steigenga family is celebrating:

I, Rebecca, am celebrating that in the last year I not only figured out what I really enjoy doing but I also presented EGM with the idea of an events coordinator. I use that term loosely and it just so happens that planning and coordinating events is what I LOVE doing. EGM has provided the opportunity to use this passion to help out. Now I am able to use the talent God has given me to help EGM.

As a family we have grown in our faith through so many things. We took a step of faith and signed up for the yearly mission trip to Colima, Mexico. We were blessed beyond messure by that trip.

As small group leaders we have seen our group grow in ways we would never have imagined. We supported a family from our group that was in an accident, we have studied the Bible as a group, we have been involved in almost all volunteer events at EGM as a small group, and we have already started the steps to birthing our group. In the last year we have celebrated the wonder and joy of our small group.

Celebration Story From Melissa VandenHoek, Director of KIDS HOPE USA

A kindergarten teacher had referred two girls to KIDS HOPE USA. Both had "lost" their daddies. Shaina's daddy had died; Cheri's daddy had been sent to prison. "These girls needed mentors," the teacher observed, because they had "holes in their hearts."

Months later, this educator observed, "I have been a teacher for 40 years. I know who will make it and who won't. Shaina and Cheri are going to make it."

This year, KIDS HOPE USA began providing special training for mentors matched with children of incarcerated parents. You can help by praying for these seriously at-risk children and for the strength of the relationships they build with their mentors.