July 17, 2005

• What a week it’s been in the Youth for Jesus program!  This is the first time I ever tried starting the program one day and beginning the evangelistic meetings the next day.  I have to admit that on Monday things were a little bit hectic in Sacramento!

  
  

   

  
  

  God is really blessing though.  We’ve had some incredible answers to prayer.  I’ll try to remember just a few:

  
  

   

  
  

  On Monday, we were waiting for the translation equipment to come that was needed for that very night (at the West Sacramento site we are offering simultaneous translation into Spanish).  I was in the fellowship hall of the church printing some things on my printer, but because it ran out of paper I had to go up to the front of the church to look for more paper in the church office.  I thought the office would be open all day, but I found it locked.  As I turned to leave the FedEx truck drove up with our delivery – and I was able to accept and sign for it.  Incredible timing!  God knew we needed that package delivered before the evening meeting.

  
  

   

  
  

  Slavic came to find me just as it was time for him to start preaching at the Russian site.  “The ‘clicker’ isn’t working to advance my slides,” he said.  “Every time I try to plug it in it reboots my computer.”  I’d never heard of such a thing, but I decided to take a look, grabbing my laptop on my way to the front of the auditorium – just in case.  Slavic began demonstrating by plugging the device into his USB port and – nothing happened!  In fact, the device worked normally!  What we didn’t know was that Leasa Hodges had just pulled aside one of the church members.  “We have to pray,” Leasa said.  “Now? Here?” the church member asked.  “Right now,” Leasa replied.  So the two said a prayer that the equipment would work.  When they were finished they looked up at the screen, and the device had just begun working!

  
  

   

  
  

  One of the Bible workers, Jeff, was stopped at a traffic light when the car in front reversed into him.  Upon getting out of the car to survey the damage the other driver began explaining that he had no drivers license (DUI), had no insurance, and that his car wasn’t registered.  He pleaded with Jeff to not call the police and promised that he would pay for the damage.  Finally Jeff conceded, under one condition.  Pulling out a flyer for the evangelistic meetings he told the man that if he would come to all of the meetings he wouldn’t report the incident.  The man has been attending, and both he and his wife have been thrilled with the program.  “This is just what we have needed,” they said.

  
  

   

  
  

  In this year’s program there are 38 Youth for Jesus, 13 Bible workers, 2 deans, 3 coordinators, and 5 volunteers serving as cooks and administrative assistants.

  
  

   

  
  

  The attendance at the Russian-speaking site has been increasing each day, until nearly 200 are now coming nightly.  There are 150,000 Russian-speaking inhabitants in Sacramento.

  
  

   

  
  

  At the 5 p.m. meeting at Sacramento Central about 50 interests are coming regularly.  At 7:00 p.m. the audience is a little over 100.

  
  

   

  
  

  At the West Sacramento site there was a serious problem with the air conditioning the first few nights – and the high temperature for the day (around 5 p.m.) has been around 105 degrees Fahrenheit!  Despite these discouragements, around 30 visitors have continued to attend the meetings.  The team has been of good courage and demonstrate impeccable organization.

  
  

   

  
  

  Although the YFJ attending the Russian-speaking site don’t speak Russian, God is using them just the same!  Besides providing the very important child care, these three young ladies have been going door to door in the Russian-speaking neighborhoods distributing handbills.  Alexandra, who speaks Romanian, found one lady from Moldova who spoke both Russian and Romanian, and was able to converse with her and invite her to the meetings.  She is now attending.

  
  

   

  
  

  I could continue, but I shouldn’t make this entry too long.  Overall, God is really blessing the efforts of the young people in Sacramento.  A big thanks to all of you who have been praying! Your prayers are certainly making a difference.

  
  

   

  
  

  Only two and a half weeks until ASI National Convention!  Hope to see or hear from you soon.

  • 3:55 pm
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