kingdom playgrounds: December 2011

My mom came over in the afternoon on Christmas Eve. We got the boys dressed and ready to go, picked up a couple of GreenHouse kids from their apartments, and then headed over to church to get all the kids in their costumes and ready for the Christmas Play at Bridge of Life Church!

All three of the boys were Angels in the play. Jonah had a speaking part and did a great job delivering his line. Nicolas and Riley just had to stand on the stage but were sufficiently adorable to elicit a lot of "awwws" from the crowd. Here is a brief clip of the play.

After church, we came back to our house for dinner and opening presents from Nana. The boys also opened their Christmas jammies from Steve and I (our annual tradition) and set out cookies for Santa.

Holidays + a spirited child (Jonah) = lots of over-stimulation and excitement. It took Jonah TWO HOURS to settle down and fall asleep that night. Eventually, the house was quiet and Steve and I got to finish up our wrapping before falling into bed dog-tired.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” (Luke 4:18-19)

Yes, the time of the Lord’s favor has come!

Sometimes, it can be hard to see. The signs of a broken world are often easier to spot. Just last week I witnessed drug deals at the park while innocent children played, scores of homeless men and women sleeping outside in the bitter cold, and able-bodied young men trying to find purpose in a neighborhood gang. I felt the loneliness of a little boy who is raising himself in the midst of a chaotic and unstable home, the fear of teen-age girl who is seven months pregnant with twins, and the despair of a troubled young man who has lost his way and is now in jail.

The pain of our neighborhood can feel overwhelming at times. But if we take a closer look, just below the cracked surface, signs of new life are emerging. At The GreenHouse, we can see it in big ways and small—but always one life at a time.

That lonely boy...he is being prayed for and will be invited to join our mentoring youth group for 5th and 6th graders.

That pregnant teen...she is being prayed for and has been connected to another agency that can walk with her through pregnancy, birth, and early childhood.

That troubled young man...he is being prayed for and will be visited in jail.

And then there are the bright rays of hope that are beaming up through the cracked surface: the 35 youth who are coming to our after-school programs on a weekly basis and the additional 30 youth who come semi- regularly. With them, we are witnessing the transformative power that Jesus announced- and that is Good News!

In this edition of our newsletter, I'm excited to introduce you to four of those rays of hope: Brayan, Perla, Heather, and Lola. The Lord's favor has come on them and they are being lavished with His love. I hope that you are encouraged by their stories as you read about the many ways that their futures are being strengthened and secured.

These signs of new life, the big ones and the small, do not emerge on their own. They are planted, watered, and nurtured by hundreds of volunteers, donors, prayers, and supporters. Thank you for standing beside us this past year. We are so grateful for your support. If you would like continue a partnership with us, or begin a new one, please use the enclosed reply card.

Again, thank you for your support. And Merry Christmas!

Kacie Stratton, Executive Director

Perla

Perla, a seventh grader at Rio Tierra Junior High, has been a faithful attendee of The GreenHouse since she was in first grade. Over the years, we have watched her grow up into a kind, conscientious young woman who has a heart for the world, particularly for those in need. After the Haiti earthquake of January 2010, Perla wanted to do something to help those who were suffering. She suggested that women in our neighborhood make and sell tamales to raise money for an organization working on the ground in Haiti. Perla worked hard selling the tamales at church and around the neighborhood and raised over $1,000 for Heartline Ministries in Port-au-Prince.

This year, Perla is a member of our Leaders in Training team as well as an active participant in R4, our teen after-school program and Oasis, our faith-based youth group. She is a positive role model and eager to serve wherever needed.

Q: Tell us a little bit about your family.

“I have two older sisters, one younger sister and one younger brother. My oldest sister (age 17) has a baby boy. My parents speak Spanish. My sisters and I speak English and Spanish. My parents did not graduate from high school.”

Q: What path do you think your life would have taken if you had never been involved in The GreenHouse?

“I would not have been as smart. And I would not have known as much about Jesus.”

Q: What do you think the neighborhood would be like if The GreenHouse had never existed?

“It would be so bad. A lot of people would have dropped out of school. If I was not in The GreenHouse, I wouldn't be interested in my grades.”

Q: What are your plans for the future?

“I want to be a veterinarian and get married when I am 32 years old.”

Brayan

Nineteen-year-old Brayan started coming to The GreenHouse when he was in seventh grade and was an active participant in our teen programs throughout junior high and high school. As a member of our Leaders in Training team his senior year, Brayan’s leadership abilities shone brightly, and after graduating from high school, we hired him to work at The GreenHouse for the summer. He’s now our Leaders in Training Coordinator and is leading the team in some very exciting projects this year!

Since joining our staff last year, Brayan has embraced a number of new opportunities which are radically impacting his future. He has successfully gotten his driver’s license, completed two semesters of community college, opened his first bank account, and is taking steps to make sure his dreams for the future come true.

Q: In what ways has The GreenHouse impacted your life?

“The impact it’s had on me is big. Everyone here supports me so much. They helped me finish high school and enroll in college. And, they gave me a job. Other people my age don't usually have all of that unless they have really good support.”

Q: In what ways do you think your adult life will be different from that of your parents/siblings?

“I am the first one of my siblings to graduate from high school. And I am the first one in my family to enroll in college. I am better trained than they were because of the opportunities I’ve had at The GreenHouse. I feel very confident, too.”

Q: Do you think The GreenHouse has a positive effect on your neighborhood?

“Of course! This neighborhood is nothing without The GreenHouse!”

Q: What are your plans for the future?

“In the future, I want to become an architect. I want to have a big family and build my own house.”

Heather

Heather, a senior at Grant High School has been involved at The GreenHouse since we opened our doors nearly nine years ago. She's been a part of every program that we offer, from elementary after-school and summer programs to small-group mentoring and teen programs. She even went away for a week of summer camp in the Santa Cruz mountains where she got to enjoy God’s creation and learn more about His great love for her. Heather is now serving on our Leaders in Training team where her true servant’s heart has an opportunity to shine. She is maturing into a confident, hard-working, and caring young woman.

Earlier this year, Heather received “The Heart of the Future” Award at our Kids at Heart event in recognition of her faithful commitment to the LIT team, consistent attendance and hard-work at The GreenHouse, and her dedication to serving others.

Q: What path do you think your life would have taken if you had never been involved in The GreenHouse?

“I would have probably gotten into a gang and dropped out of school. I may have been arrested.”

Q: How do you think your adult life will be different from that of your parents/siblings?

“My mom and my older brother did not graduate high school. I will graduate from high school and go to college. As a adult, I will be doing things that I love, rather than settling for a job that I don’t enjoy.”

Q: What do you think are the greatest achievements of The GreenHouse?

“The GreenHouse helps students when they are young. They help them get to college. Without the GreenHouse, people would get into a lot of trouble.”

Q: What has been the greatest impact of The GreenHouse on your life?

“The GreenHouse has been there for me and has helped me stay out of trouble. They are helping me succeed with my goals and follow my dreams. The GreenHouse has also helped me grow in my relationship with God.”

Lola

Lola, a junior at Grant High School, has been coming to The GreenHouse since she was in second grade. She has been involved in every program that we offer and currently serves as a member of our Board of Directors, as well as a member of our Leaders in Training team. Lola enjoys being a member of the Board and is starting to speak up and make her voice heard at meetings. Over the years, she has embraced several opportunities to speak on behalf of The GreenHouse and is increasing her confidence with each new opportunity.

Q: Tell us a little bit about your family.

I have seven siblings. I am the youngest of all the siblings. My parents

speak Spanish.

Q: How do you think your adult life will be different from that of your parents/siblings?

I will go to college and have a career.

Q: Do you think The GreenHouse has a positive effect on your neighborhood?

Yes, because it keeps the kids happy and it's a safe place that I enjoy coming to.

Q: What has been the biggest impact of The GreenHouse on your life?

The greatest impact is the way it has changed our lives. The GreenHouse has made me think of my options for the future.

Q: What are your plans for the future?

My goal is to have a good career in what I choose - maybe engineering.