Week 9

{On this blog I want to be real. I want to show the highs and lows of Bus Ministry. To only tell the "good" would not be a true reflection of the things that we face}

Saturday:

This past Saturday we spent time just hanging out with our kids. Played basketball with them, talked with them, sat with them on their porch......spent time doing what they do on Saturdays.


We also went to a new area and tried to get some contacts.

Usually when we are trying to get new kids we do not go door to door. Instead, we scout out apartments that show signs that kids may live there (i.e. toys, small shoes, bikes). These are the doors that we knock.

We had gone to a few apartment complexes in this new area and got a few "maybes". Nothing for sure.

It was extremely discouraging.

Finally we found one apartment that had three girls. One of our Spanish speaking workers hit it off with the parents. It was so exciting. The girls kept saying "I want to go to Sunday School, I want to go to Sunday School". We confirmed that we would be by to wake them up on Sunday morning at 9:15.

It seemed like a sure thing........

Sunday morning = no answer.

Needless to say, we are a little stubborn and will continue to visit them until they come.

Sunday:

My favorite thing about being a part of the Blue Bomber =

Knocking on a door, inviting a teenager to come.
They come.
They become a regular on the bus.
They like it so much they come to youth on Friday night.
Not only do they come to youth, but they are in the altar, crying.
They walk to church on Sunday night.
Not only do they walk to church, they are in the altar seeking for the Holy Ghost and want to be baptized.

I cannot even describe the excitement....

seriously....

there is nothing like it in the world......

you should try it.


Route 3 = 31 kids

Week 8

Saturday:


(Walked up to the apartment of Luzelena and Luciano. They were sitting on the stairs in their pajamas.)

Me: What are you guys doing?
Luzelena: Do you see that toy horse on the street with the free sign?
Me: Yes.
Luzelena: We put it out there and want to see who takes it. We are too big for it now and don't have room for it. You should take it.
Me: How long are you guys going to sit out here?
Luzelena: Ummmm...until someone comes to take it. I want to see who gets it.

Sunday:

(Morning prayer before going to wake up kids)


Me: What did you learn today in Children's church?
Jaqueline: That Jesus can help....and do you want to know something?
Me: What?
Jaqueline: Luzelena's eyes looked like she was crying when we were praying.
Me: Why would she be crying?
Jaqueline: I don't know.
Me: I think it is because she felt God.
Jaqueline: Really?
Me: Yes. Sometimes, when you close your eyes and pray from your heart, you can feel God right there with you. And sometimes it makes you want to cry because you feel how much he loves you.

Route 3 = 38 kids.

Week 7

Saturday:


{I actually had to miss outreach this past Saturday, but did not want YOU to miss out on how we feel......}

{at the end of video is Route 3 being greeted as they exited the bus on Sunday....funny how in 7 short weeks I already find myself referring to them as "my kids"}

Sunday:

Approached by 3 bus workers as I walked into the gym on Sunday morning.

Why?

To say their memory verse.

You see....if you are under 16 and desire to work in the bus ministry you are required to participate in our 121 program (weekly scripture memorization, daily bible reading, and daily prayer).

It is so important (and I am glad that my-husband-who-is-the-bomb thinks of things like this) that in the midst of "reaching out", these kids grow spiritually.

"And what do you benefit if you gain
the whole world but lose your own soul?"
Mark 8:36

Route 3 = 36 (have you noticed the steady increase in numbers?!?!?! WOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!)

Week 6

Saturday:

Amazed at the amount of dedication it takes to be a part of the bus ministry. Here I am at week 6, in awe of those that have been working in this ministry for the past few years.

Dear God, bus workers deserve extra bling in their crown when they get to heaven...or maybe their names engraved in a sidewalk of gold - those are just a few of my own ideas, but I am sure that whatever you already have planned will be perfect.

This Saturday I was bit by a dog while on outreach. Yes, you heard me right.

bit.by.a.dog.

Good thing I was wearing rain boots.

It was so awesome to show up at a house and hear the kids bragging that their Sunday School teacher had just stopped by! Sis. Pompliano...I think you made their day.

Sunday:


Had a reality check while doing wakeup.....one of our kids, Luis, opened his front door to a living room littered with beer cans. It broke my heart. Here in the midst of the partying, drinking, craziness that goes on in his life...he wants to go to Sunday School. Wakes himself up, gets himself ready.

What a reminder of why we do, what we do.

Last but not least:

"Today I learned about the boy that shared his lunch."
Jaqueline, Route 3 bus rider




Route 3 = 33 kids, 2 parents

WOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Week 5

Saturday:

Desperate times call for desperate measures.....



(for the record, he did wind up skateboarding to Sunday School on his own!)

Sunday:



We had our main bus driver back to drive route 3. It was so good to see him starting to get back into the swing of things (he has been out dealing with some medical issues). We love you Bro. Reed!

On wakeup we met a new kid out riding his bike. He wound up wanting to ride the bus so it was a rush sending someone over to talk to his parents before the bus came.

I am so excited that on my two streets alone we had 14 kids come.

I purchased a red carpet for the kids to walk down as they got off the bus. The one that I bought barely made it through this morning........so, we are accepting donations for a real red carpet runner (preferably 15 ft long).....you know......in case you have one lying around.

Last but not least:

"We are celebrities"
Overheard, unknown Route 3 bus rider
(after being welcomed - see previous post)

Route 3 = 30 kids, 2 parents

Week 4

Saturday:

Underwood and Topaz are now my street assignments. It is the responsibility of myself, Justin, Lane and Angelina to get as many contacts as possible for these streets. Saturday was our first day of being assigned, so we mainly did follow up on the kids that will need to be picked up on Sunday.

and.......

We got sweatshirts!!!!

Sweatshirts were donated for our entire children's ministry department. All Blue Bomber workers got them....for FREE!

Sunday:

Our bus was FINALLY running! Things ran much smoother without having to carpool kids in. Route 3 is the smallest route, but as a whole we were carpooling over 100 kids every Sunday!

I am attaching a video of how the kids are welcomed every Sunday, they have been doing it this way the entire 3 years that we have had our bus ministry. It is so important for them to feel wanted.

Last but not least:

"Did you know God made hot Cheetos?"

Jaqueline, Route 3 bus rider

Route 3 = 24 kids, 2 parents

Week 3

Saturday:

Took Fifi on outreach. I have no shame and will use anything to entice kids to come. Outreach went really well. We made a few new contacts in an area that we have very few kids.
Sunday:

Still no bus. That being said, I drove Jasmine, Luzelena and Jaqueline to Sunday School. What adorable girls. I have come to the realization that all you need is two girls together and they will talk nonstop.

~On the way home~

Me: "What did you guys learn in Sunday School?"

Jasmine: "That we shouldn't lie"

Luzelena:"That the devil does not love me"

Can you say success?

Route 3 = 24 kids