12/12/08
Team Leaders!
First of all, forgive me for this late report – my life has been a little out of balance since last Thursday. Second, thank you so much for your prayers for Ronnie and me as we have faced several challenges. He is still very weak after being in the hospital for six days (much more since he no longer has the oxygen). The doctor’s have said it will take him time to be completely healed and to regain his strength. We will see the doctor next week.
Now for the amazing results of the 35th Annual Juvenile Hall and 10th Annual Boot Camp Christmas Parties!!!!
Pictures here
Juvenile Hall - Monday & Tuesday Night
19 So Bap Churches Involved
281 Southern Baptist Volunteers
351 Youth Ministered To
83 Juv Hall Staff
123 Professions of Faith
59 Rededications
Boot Camp
6 So Bap Churches Involved
37 Southern Baptist Volunteers
111 Cadets Ministered To
10 Guards
7 Professions of Faith
41 Rededications
Thank You cannot express my heart to you. I have prayed for God to give me words to express how much I appreciate each of you and your team for the excellence in which you conducted the parties, but the words just will not come.
Thank You for all the countless hours you spent in preparing for this event.
Thank You for enlisting volunteers that took direction and shared God’s love with these youth.
Thank You for the money your team spent on the delicious food you provided. I am always amazed at what you provide. Just a few examples of your generosity this year: Hot Wings, Pizzas, In & Out Burgers, McDonalds, Tuna Sandwiches, Egg Salad Sandwiches, Ham and cheese sandwiches, Nachos, Vegetables & Dip, Chips & Dip, Fruit, Cookies, Brownies, Candy, Juice, and Soda - and this year for the first time homemade tamales and home made burritos!!! Thank you for leaving your leftovers for the swing shift officers. They were grateful for the treats left in the staff lounge.
Thank You for sending money to purchase the gifts for the youth and the staff. Some of you have told me your church will be sending a check – for this we are grateful.
The staff at Juvenile Hall and Boot Camp praised our group for the professional way these events were handled. God has blessed us with 35 years at Juvenile Hall (JJC) and 10 years at Boot Camp without one negative incidence!!!!
Our youngest volunteer was 18 and out of high school – our oldest volunteer was 97!!!!! We were blessed to have several 70 and 80 year old volunteers participate this year. The wisdom and love among the volunteers this year was outstanding!!!!
I want to thank First Southern Baptist Church, Reedley and First Southern Baptist Church, Sanger for teaming up and hosting parties both Monday and Tuesday. They always provide an abundance of food!
I want to thank Cornelia Avenue for providing volunteers to help on Monday, hosting a party on Tuesday (they had to conduct “4” parties in their unit) and for purchasing the refreshments (a huge undertaking) for the Boot Camp Christmas Party. Not only did Janice Oxford lead Cornelia Avenue in hosting the Boot Camp party – she also put together the wonderful refreshments (beautifully presented) for all the staff not working in the pods at Juvenile Hall both evenings.
I want to thank Rich Johnstone and his daughter Eryn for taking pictures Monday and Tuesday. Eryn also went to Boot Camp Wednesday but we were not allowed to take pictures.
I want to thank Jason Oxford from Cornelia Avenue and Ken Hinman from Trinity for providing the music and message at Boot Camp on Wednesday. This is a very different kind of party and they did an excellent job with the cadets.
I’m sorry I am not including the prayer requests with this email. My niece, Melody, has been working on them each day after work. I’m so grateful for all the help she has given to me during these events. I will be sending you an email tomorrow (Saturday) with a personal note with the prayer requests for your Pods (and Boot Camp if you attended) attached.
My prayer is that God will reveal to each of you how much your efforts matter in the lives of each youth and staff you touched. Just know that the fingerprints of love that you left in the hearts of these will never be erased. May God bless each of you abundantly as you continue to serve Him.
Covered by His grace,
Carol
