As I mentioned in the last post, this youth group came to Gainesville ready to put on a VBS, but were unable to due to a change of plans. However, knowing that they were prepared and eager to share the Gospel, I invited them to come to a community where I currently invest in with my local community group. Technically it was the youth group’s night off and they didn’t need to go, but they wanted to!
One night every other week my community group puts on a mini-vbs at this location and shares the Gospel with a group of kids and their parents (there’s usually about 60 kids). My community group wasn’t planning on being there this particular week, but I shared with them about this youth group and they quickly agreed to join us there!
Prepared with balloon animals, crafts, songs, and a skit, these kids were able to share the Gospel and love on this community! It also helps that they were closer in age to these kids than we are! They quickly connected with them and had a great time!
Behind the scenes though, a woman who had moved away from this community about a year ago had just arrived into town that very hour and found herself (along with her four kids) joining this large group of people having fun! A member of my community group (Nikki) recognized her and was ecstatic to see her again; little did she know at that time this woman has just left an abusive situation from several states away and this is where she ended up.
Once this was made known, Nikki and her husband placed this woman and her children in a hotel while they looked for a place for her to stay. That week Nikki selflessly helped this woman and her children find a place to stay, get clothes (they left with nothing), get food, get insurance, find a job, and so much more!
Now remember that Nikki and our community group were not supposed to be there this particular week, but did because of this youth group and their passion to share the Gospel.
I was able to share with this youth group that being faithful and flexible leads to so much fruit that sometimes we don’t even get to see. This woman’s life was forever changed because they were faithful and flexible. There are ripple effects in other people’s lives when we are obedient! We don’t always get to see it, but trust that the Lord is using you in your faithfulness and flexibility!
