As another school year comes around the bend, we look forward to what God will do in our partner ministries' S.A.Y. Yes! Centers for Youth Development®. These centers come in all shapes and sizes, but commonly they provide a safe place after school for kids to get a meal or snack, help with homework, and hear and experience the gospel!
One little girl, appropriately named Faith, has grown in tremendous ways at Crossroads Christian Fellowship in Bakersfield, California. She started attending the program in second grade with serious behavioral issues, an extremely low reading level, and failing grades in most of her classes. A few times, Faith had even been sent home from school due to conflicts with teachers and other students! Faith's home life wasn't too smooth either. She lives with her grandmother, because her mom is unable to provide her the best care. Faith carried some obvious wounds.
The committed volunteers loved and served Faith, continuing to work with her in patience and grace…and they started to see her life change! After she started 5th grade last fall, Faith brought in her first report card of the year to show Marta, the S.A.Y. Yes!® director. Remarkably it showed a huge change in Faith's grades, she had not only improved in all her classes, she'd received an "A" for conduct!
Marta says Faith is now the first to ask or answer questions during their lesson times. She really knows her Bible and has become a leader among her peers. Marta and her volunteers are excited at what God has done in Faith's life. And we are encouraged by it, too!
We are prayerful that God will continue to work through our partnerships to transform lives with His love and in S.A.Y. Yes! Centers everywhere!
Alicia Losier serves as the Communications Specialist for Cru's inner-city ministry.
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