CABLE

A publication of

summer 2010 | the Counselors’ Newsletter

ReflectionsI know you’ve done it too. You are reading along in a familiar passage of Scripture when BOOM! The lights come on like never before. You read the passage differently. Certain words are illuminated to the point of almost jumping off the page!

One morning God showed me something altogether different about the last chapter of John that I cannot keep to myself. You’ve got to see this as well. In verses 15-25 Jesus is having His final conversation with Peter before He leaves His earthly home to be with His Father.

He asks Peter a question and then repeats the question two more times. He asks if Peter loves Him. Whenever I’ve read this passage in the past, I’ve been so caught up in thinking about the question and Peter’s repeated answer that I missed the follow-up response that Jesus made after Peter’s answers.

Jesus says, “If you love me…” and then He gives three commands. And they appear to be in some kind of particular order because Jesus never said anything unintentionally or casually. So notice with me what He says.

“If you love me then… …feed my lambs… …take care of my sheep… …feed my sheep.”

Do you see it yet? Hint: Peter is the rock – on whom the church was to be built.

Answer: Jesus gave Peter the strategy for prioritizing ministry within the church! We are to feed the lambs – the children, first! They are to be our first and foremost concern. Christ mentioned children first. They are on His mind and in His heart and He wants to make sure that Peter hears

what He is saying. Jesus gets his full attention by asking him the personal question, do you love me? So Peter is highly engaged – He’s tuned-in big time. And Jesus gives him the first of three specific assignments. He says, “Feed my lambs.” Teach the children… teach the kids about me. Do all you can to make sure

GEMS Girls’ Clubs executive BoaRdShirley Batts – Portage, Michigan

Cori Dykhouse – Port Lambton, Ontario

Susan Kepley – Grand Rapids, Michigan

Glennys Kuperus – Hudsonville, Michigan

Lia Leenstra – Byron Center, Michigan

Henrietta Reinders – Rockwood, Ontario

Amy Schaaf – Grand Rapids, Michigan

Lyn VanTol – Spring Lake, Michigan

Mary Jo Vis – Riverside, California

GEMS Girls’ Clubss staffExecutive Director – Jan Boone

Training Manager – Lenae Bulthuis

Customer Relations Specialist – Michele DeHaan

Art Director – Tina DeKam

Graphic & Web Designer – Sara DeRidder

Senior Editor – Sara Hilton

Conference Coordinator – Alecia VanHulzen

Publications& Web Coordinator – Amy White

Executive Secretary – Gert Wolfert

Jan with two of her very favorite “lambs” – her daughters.

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that children know who I am and what my Word says about how they are to live their lives.

What authority that gives you and your position as counselor! You are on the front lines doing exactly what Christ commanded you to do. You are feeding the lambs! And oh how they need that feeding today. Children so need to know absolute truth. They need to learn how they can live their entire lives experiencing the love and blessings of God the Father. Jesus knew this. On that day when He spoke these words to Peter He knew what life would be like for children today, in 2010. He knew children would always need to be the priority of the church if the baton of faith is going to be passed on from one generation to the next.

The next two assignments deal with adults – taking care of the sheep, making sure that all members of the body of Christ are cared for, and that no one goes without food, clothing, and shelter. Care is to be given to all, followed by feeding the sheep – making sure that adults are fed the truth of God’s Word as well.

It is tremendously exciting to experience God speaking directly to us through His Word, written 2,000 years ago; giving us the truth we need today for how we are to live out His call on our lives. Know, GEMS counselors, that all the time and energy and love you invest in your personal ministry as a counselor is exactly what God would have you do. You are carrying out His assignment…. DON’T STOP NOW!

Executive Director

To honor God by being responsible stewards of His creation, Cable is printed on post-consumer recycled paper and uses vegetable-based inks.

Sa

ve a tree!

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I love to tell the story,

‘Twill be my theme in glory,

To tell the old, old story,

Of Jesus and His love.

Yes, it is an old, old story, but a modern one as well. The story of Jesus’ love is timeless. And the stories reflecting His love abound.

Everyone loves a story. I’ve seem rambunctious GEMS girls sit in absolute silence to hear a story, Zambian leaders attentively listening to fellow leaders share their faith stories, children act out Bible stories with delight and rapt attention from their audience, and tears role down girls’ cheeks when they hear the story of how much Jesus loves them. Stories grab our attention! We are drawn to them. But why? Could it be that they are so real? They’re relational? They show vulnerability? They inspire, teach, and encourage?

Having just read stories posted by GEMS leaders on the GEMS website, my eyes are moist and my heart deeply humbled. Your stories point to an amazing Weaver, a loving Potter working through cracked pots, and the Author of our life stories. Our stories, including your GEMS stories, are truly His stories – so beautiful to share. You can read stories from other counselors across North America and share your own by visiting the GEMS website (www.gemsgc.org).

GEMS Board President

pResident’s letteR

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2011 BoaRd nominees

VOTEdeadline is

9/30/10

The women who serve on the GEMS Executive Board are paramount in leading the ministry into the future. Each year new GEB members are elected by you, the counselors. Every club will receive a ballot (mailed to Club Coordinators in August), and should cast a vote for two of the nominees. Please read the following qualifications and, as a club, prayerfully consider your choices.

Shirley Battschurch/Roles in Gems: Grace Christian Reformed Church in Michigan. Shirley has been involved in GEMS for 20 years as a counselor and as a member of the GEB.

Why would you like to serve on the GeB? I believe because of my involvement in GEMS and other leadership roles, God has prepared me to be on the GEMS board, where ideas, initiative, and leadership skills are needed. I want to be used as an instrument of God in His ministry, and GEMS certainly is a dynamic ministry for both women and girls. Assisting girls to have a personal relationship with God at an early age is very important to me. I am a hard worker, and will give 100% to the requirements of being on the board.

Cheryl Boerchurch/Roles in Gems: Grace Church in Minnesota. Over the last 22 years Cheryl has served GEMS as a Club Coordinator, Advanced Level counselor, an Area Coordinator, Leadership Trainer, and as a member of the 2010 Local Conference Committee.

Why would you like to serve on the GeB? What is so exciting about a life in Christ is letting Him have control over your life. It humbles me to even think that God would use me in such a position. What I hope to see happen in the GEMS ministry is that Christian women will be the leaders/mentors they are called to be – sustaining a growing and loving relationship with Christ and His Word and then boldly sharing that passion with young women. My prayer for those that God puts in my life and the GEMS ministry is

to have a relationship with Christ, a hope for the future, and grace and salvation for an eternal life with Him. If God places me in a role to serve on the GEMS Executive Board may I be an example of this and bring Him glory and honor in all I do – relying on Him and His Word for strength, boldness, and wisdom.

Susan Kepleychurch/Roles in Gems: Southside Vineyard Christian Fellowship Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Susan has served as a GEMS counselor and as a member of the GEB.

Why would you like to serve on the GeB? I hope to use my gifts of faith and evangelism while on the board. I have always been passionate about missions. This was born in me at a young age on the mission field. It is a perspective that I believe could be very instrumental on the GEMS Board, especially concerning The Call to Africa. I would pray my experience and sensitivity to cross-cultural relationships would be a value I could pass on to GEMS leadership and instill in our GEMS girls as we inspire them to become more mission-minded.

Canada Post Publica-tion Sales Agreement #41124116, return undeliverable copies to Cable c/o GEMS Girls’ Clubs, PO Box 39, Norwich, ON N0J1P0

neW cuRRiculum 101GEMS has lots of new curriculum options this fall, but how do you know what’s right for your girls and your club? We encourage you to download sample lessons from the GEMS website (www.gemsgc.org) to help you make that decision, but to make the process easier you can start by learning more about each of the choices here!

CluB COOrdinaTOrS: be sure to inform the Service Center if you will not be returning to this position next year. We will need the name and contact info of the new Club Coordinator to ensure she gets all of the information she’ll need for the upcoming season. Email servicecenter@gemsgc.org or give us a call at 616-241-5616 ext. 3032.

Also, Club Coordinators – don’t forget to update your counselor lists as soon as possible!

Share your stories! We want to know how God touched your life or impacted your club this past season! Share your God-sightings with us by visiting the GEMS website and submitting your story. And, you can read about how He is working through Clubs all over North America!

cluB neWs

awarEnESS (GradES 1-3)

Each of the five Activity Books and correspond-ing Counselor Helps for first through third grad-ers has been completely revised. While the same stories are used throughout, each has a totally new look, a new format, and updated content.

The previous editions of these books will be available while supplies last. But, because of the updated formatting and content, we rec-ommend only using one version – with the accompanying Counselor Helps – within your small group to avoid confusion.

diSCOVEry (GradES 4-6)

An ALL NEW badge book is now available for girls in fourth through sixth grades. The Discovery Place Badge Book presents 100 badges for girls to complete and offers new and exciting ways to engage your Discovery Level girls in learning about who God created them to be. Many elements of the Discovery Place distinguish it from the previously published Discover Studio Badge Book, but these are a few of the key distinctions:

The overall design provides a visually •stimulating yet balanced look that will engage every girl regardless of her read-ing level.

The primary means of gathering infor-•mation is through questions and answers (versus reading in the Discovery Studio).

The badge book contains three levels •of difficulty that are clearly identified for both counselors and girls on each badge.

Each badge study is activity-oriented •and will facilitate Scripture memory (a re-quirement for earning every badge).

Many of the badges offered in the Discovery Studio will also be available in the Discovery Place Badge Book, but keep in mind that the content of each badge is ALL NEW.

To ensure all the girls in your small group are working on the same badges, the previously published Discovery Studio Badge Book will continue to be available for several years for clubs currently using it.

See the GEMS Supply Catalog or the GEMS website (www.gemsgc.org) for a complete list of the badges offered in each book.

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adVanCEd (GradES 7-8)

Two brand new options have been developed for the girls in grades seven and eight. Esther – True Beauty is a Christian charm course based on the book of Esther. It is:

Designed to empower today’s generation of girls to live set-apart, •remarkably beautiful lives – inside and out.

Contains 24 lessons that will inspire girls to passionately pursue an •unfading, true beauty – for such a time as this (Esther 4:14).

Laid out in four colorful and fun magazine-style books.•

Includes a DVD that offers an introduction to the study of Esther’s •life with an additional track that walks girls through how to pray in color in numerous situations – including as they learn more about inner and outer beauty.

The second new curriculum, MTN, is a devotional book that challenges girls to climb the mountain of the LORD (Micah 4:2) – growing closer to God by understanding more about who He is. Girls will study 24 of God’s names and be inspired to live lives that are pleasing to Him. Each of the 24 lessons:

Contains four personal devotions for girls to do at home and then •expand on at club through small group discussion questions and activities provided in the Counselor Helps.

Includes helpful Bible study tools perfect for girls who have grown •up in the church or for those who are brand-new to the Word.

Encourages girls to devote time each day to God by completing •the four personal devotion sections on their own at home (each of these sections can also be used as stand-alone lessons at club if girls are not/cannot complete them at home).

MTN also includes an introductory DVD with a track welcoming girls to the curriculum and a track that specifically teaches them how to pray in color through each of the names of God. As an added bonus, this DVD also includes 24 downloadable posters containing each of the names they will study.

While Esther – True Beauty for such a time as this! offers a fresh look at many of the topics covered in Finishing Touches, this contemporary Christian charm course is still a valuable tool for Advanced Level girls, and will continue to be available as will Getting Dusty.

cluB ideasone cluB, thRee events, a lastinG impact

FaThEr-dauGhTEr luau

Girls also look forward to the opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with their dads at the annual father-daughter luau. “It is so much fun to see them laugh together and play silly games: whether it’s painting their daughters toes or doing the hula!”

At the luau everyone gets a lei, the first and second graders wear grass skirts, and all of the dads dress up in Hawaiian shirts and hats. “The father-daughter luau gets those busy dads to relax and enjoy the company of their daughters for the evening,” Linda said, adding that, “It also helps them get to know other dads; this is especially helpful for the new first grade parents.”

Through this event, as well as the mother-daughter tea, Linda feels girls are able to see how much their parents value GEMS, and how much they value spending time with their daughters as they clear their busy schedules to spend an evening just with them! “Our families love these parties and look forward to them each year!” Linda said. “As soon as we know the dates they mark their calendars and nothing prevents them from coming.”

SEniOr SOup SuppErThe third event this GEMS group hosts each year is a senior soup supper. “[This] allows the girls to be involved with the senior members of our church. Our seniors just love spending time with the girls, and the girls love to be with them, too!” The supper is such a hit that Linda reports people drive through blizzards just to attend and show their support for GEMS. To keep it interesting, each year a different theme is selected and decorations are picked accordingly – with several of the seniors getting in the spirit and dressing up to coordinate.

MOThEr-dauGhTEr TEa

One of the goals for the mother-daughter tea is to make the women and girls who attend feel special. Some of the special touches include:

Round tables and cloth tablecloths. •

Tea pots and tea cups/plates •purchased from area thrift stores. “Because nothing matched, it made the whole look all the cuter,” Linda added, also suggesting that, “You could borrow the teapots and cups, but you are dealing with little girls, so I would suggest buying cheap and if they break no one cares!”

African violets for the centerpieces.•

Pretty flowery paper napkins for an •added splash of color.

Garlands of artificial white flowers •and white lights to decorate the room.

“We have the girls sit with their moms, play a little trivia game together, and enjoy special cucumber or ham and cheese sandwiches and delicious desserts,” Linda said. “It’s beautiful to see moms come together with the same goal of watching their daughters grow in their faith.”

Are you looking for new ways to engage the families of your GEMS or other members of your congregation? Denver Third Christian Reformed Church is able to do just that through the various events they host throughout the season. “We are always looking for fun ways for our families to become involved with our program,” explained Club Coordinator, Linda Schaer. “Not only are we nourishing the girls, but also their parents.”

Each year Linda and her fellow counselors plan a mother-daughter tea, a father-daughter luau, and a senior soup supper. For each event Linda starts with a committee that helps with every aspect: from planning and purchasing food to decorating and cleanup. “We get together one month before the event and plan what we will be doing,” Linda said, “how much food, what kind of decorations we are going to use, where the parties will be held, and the dates.”

STill nOT SurE?

If you’re unsure if an event like this is right for your club, Linda has this to say: “It is so worth it!” While she admits that it can be nerve racking at first, wondering if anyone will show up, in the end the effort pays off when the girls and their various guests feel valued and loved. “When parents can see that GEMS is doing great things and their daughters are having fun and are happy and excited to come to the meetings – everybody wins, and we can give all the glory to God. Without His support we could never do this!”

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hand ‘n handLast season GEMS launched a fund and friend raising program to unite women and girls in Africa with clubs across North America.

africaG E M S

ca

lled to

the call to afRicaWe all have plans and agendas, schedules and intentions. And God repeatedly asks us to lay them all down and follow Him. Since December of 2005, that is exactly what GEMS has been doing as God directs every step of The Call to Africa.

This April, seven women again traveled to Zambia to conduct training and start new GEMS Clubs. Intent on starting no more than 18-20 clubs (since each new club needs a North American Sister Club to support it), the women ended up training over 200 new counselors and starting 26 additional clubs through three different two-day workshops in different regions. Once again God led the way with His plans and purpose!

in addition to this training, the team:

Trained and encouraged 100 seasoned counselors in their work •with the girls in their churches. Women repeatedly reported that they were inspired and full of hope because of the way God was using them in the GEMS ministry.

Held a birthday party for the eight children in • The House that GEMS Built as well as 24 additional children in the surrounding orphan homes. All 32 kids were blessed with a special birthday celebration complete with games, cake, candles, and ice cream.

Walked the land where construction on • The Esther School con-tinues to go well. One of the teachers’ dormitories is complete and work on the preschool and kindergarten is now underway! The women were able to pray over both of these areas as well as the spot where the clinic and library will be built. How amazing to consider the lives that will be shaped for Christ on that very ground in the not-too distant future!

Hosted a tea for pastors of churches that currently have GEMS •Clubs in Lusaka. All 21 pastors left with a greater understand-ing of the overall ministry and with endless praise and apprecia-tion for what God has done through GEMS for the women and girls in their communities. Pastors noted that in everything from their behavior and respect for others to the way they dress – the change is evident!

Was inspired by GEMS’ two college-aged interns leading a Bible •study for CITs. Each week 18-20 CITs gather at the Service Center to study God’s word together, learn how to apply His truths to their lives, and to encourage one another.

You can read more about this trip, learn the history of The Call to Africa, and get ideas on how your girls can get involved by visiting the GEMS website (www.gemsgc.org).

Zambian clubs crafted goods that were then paired with gourmet cookie and soup mixes and sold by girls in the US and Canada. The proceeds were used to help Zambian clubs become self-sustaining in addition to supporting the growth of local clubs here.

Last year, 220 GEMS Clubs in North America helped 24 clubs in Zambia become self-sustaining. Zambian Club Coordinators were able for the first time to buy curriculum, t-shirts, and Bibles for their own club and

over 250 girls were able to participate in camp. In addition, $30,000 was deposited into the fund to continue building The Esther School. It was a wonderful first year for the Hand ‘n Hand program.

Because of the huge success, Hand ‘n Hand will be back this year! Clubs will again be able to do this fundraiser in the fall – selling items in October with shipments received by Christmas. Check out the GEMS website to learn more!

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Girls

Everywhere

Meeting the

Savior

Dynamic Youth Ministries

P.O. Box 7259 Grand Rapid, MI 49510

P.O. Box 39 Norwich, ON N0J 1P0

plEaSE rECyClE

GReen tRuthConserving water is an important part of creation care. Do you have a garden, potted plants, or a lawn that needs watering? Instead of dragging out your hose, try collecting your own water. Garbage cans and buckets are a great way to collect rain water, runoff from downspouts on your roof, or even from your air conditioner drip line (water that is typically wasted, traveling down a gutter and draining into the ground).

thanks again to these businesses and individuals:

thanks aGain!As GEMS continues to challenge young girls to live passionate lives that embody justice, mercy, and humility – we continue to rely on willing contributors to the ministry! GEMS would like to extend a special thanks to the sponsors and golfers who made the 14th Annual Golf Classic possible.

Alan & Terri KaiserRichard & Judy EppingaDe Jong Enterprises, Inc.Leon & Louise KoopsR & M ConstructionMyles & Glennys KuperusJohn & Linda Van SingelCustom Design Components, Inc.Dale & Jan BooneCentury Floor SpaceGerrit & Cori DykhouseEenhoorn, LLCStroo Funeral HomeBest Way DisposalPinnacle Construction GroupJohn & Margaret VanderPloegJason & Shelley KuipersMelinda CostaPrecise Machining, Inc.Marlin FeyenRed Arrow DairyVan Den Berg Pest ControlGerald & Suzanne VanWierenMarion and Marlene Betten Foundation/ Courtesy Chrysler Jeep DodgeKevin DeKam, MA, LLPC/ Fountain Hill Counseling CenterDeurloo Farms

Zuidema Interiors LimitedRobert & Linda WestrateBluewater Orthopaedic & Sports SupplyWallaceburg Bookbinding & MFG. COSteven D. Lyzenga DDSMichael BalkemaEd BosmanChris & Tracy MeengsDon & Barb BellingerFred & Linda HendriksmaTimothy & Kristi BerghuisPetra ArendsNelly DykhouseTom & Carole DeBoerDuane & Marjorie WestrateRalph & Irene DrostWiebe & Ruth Van ZwolTop DistributingCandlestone Golf & ResortKentwood Office FurnitureWise PhotographyMaple Hill Golf CoursePilgrim’s Run Golf ClubHidden Valley Golf CourseAll Star PrintingLewis PaperField’s FabricsRuss’