Based in Sacramento, California, Streetlight Christian Ministries was established in 2014 with the goal of reaching hurting, needy children and families in apartment complexes.

June-July 2019

As summer rolled around and the public school dismissed, I decided that

one of my summer projects needs to be working on the building. So I met with my contractor (an older man with a lack of energy) and asked him what needs to happen next. He said, “We will start next week on things.” I said, “So that will be Monday? What do we need to do to get ready?” He looked surprised but then agreed. So on Monday we started the strangest wall ever built. Be-cause we have to have two layers of drywall attached to tin that goes to the outside of the build-ing, we put the first layer of dry-wall directly onto the tin and at-tached it with liquid nail. Then we built some wood framing and at-tached the other layer of drywall to that. Then we had to fire caulk

all penetrations through the wall we built. This includes the metal beams at the top, metal beams on the sides, and any wires and supports going through. With an inspector coming to check on things and my land-lord having to move his boat, I didn’t skimp on fire caulk. Squirt it on heavy. When in doubt, put more on. So I now feel like a seasoned carpenter. My tool bag will al-ways be full of liquid nail and caulk!! About the time we

were finished with the wall, I asked an inspector what is left to be done. He said we must have a fire inspector come and approve the building. I prob-ably should have known but I didn’t know. So, we just had an inspection by Metro Fire. And I have a new list of things to work on. The inspector men-tioned a breakaway lock. I gave her a blank look. She mentioned a hydraulic calculation plate. I gave her a blank look. Finally, I asked if she can send me pictures. And she did and promised to email me the entire list as she took notes. I’m still waiting for the notes, but I have already started on the things I know I can do. I got a breakaway lock. I got stick on numbers for the door. I got a hydraulic calculation plate. I got a fire extinguisher refilled and certified. Our landlord is gone for 10 days. After he returns, we will discuss the larger issues. Every day I spend working on this project I try hard to move a small step closer to the goal of blessing oth-ers with this space.

The Wall By Lavern Yoder

S C M B o a r d M e m b e r s

• Lavern Yoder (Sacramento, CA)

chairman

• Steve Stoltzfus (Kennedyville, MD)

secretary

• Dennis Yoder (Guys Mills, PA)

treasurer

• Joel Nisly (Lima, OH)

• Ernest Witmer (Los Angeles, CA)

Before and After

were probably sufficient to cover the last day I was around. So when 7:00 had come and gone, I was slightly relieved. At last is was 8:30; I was ready for the day to end. But wait. Here comes Heidi, informing me that my friends have come to call. Oh, okay. Dear little Hajar came am-bling into our kitchen to look at Heidi's pet parakeet. Following her, without so much as a knock on the door or a “How-do-you-do?”, Palwasha, Feroza, Sameha and baby Mahanoz, who had gathered at the bottom of the steps to our apartment, came in and sat on the couch. After mo-

mentarily scurry-ing around trying to regain my men-tal equilibrium, I asked Heidi, “What do I do now?!” In her comically sensible way, she advised, “Go sit down and talk to them.” Thanks for your

good common sense, friend! But how I wished I would have thought to save out some nuts and tea in case they showed up. We had a nice visit, in which Heidi graciously joined me and saved the day by engaging them in a discussion about their fami-lies and becoming better ac-

Farewell, Sacramento By Heidi Jo King

Sunday, my final day in Sacra-mento, was drawing to a close. Gearing up for a 4:15am depar-ture the following morning and realizing I would be driving solo all day long, I had high hopes of finishing up the last minute pack-ing and winding down by 8-9pm. Everything – food and clothing, plants and décor - was successful-ly carted down the steps and carefully tucked into my poor sag-ging car, except that last suitcase and my breakfast-to-go. Whew! What a chore. Got all the good-byes said. Finally I could clock out of my responsibilities and get ready to hit the road. I was antici-pating all the new adventures that awaited: driving along the coast, visiting cousins in Bakersfield and a great aunt in Phoenix, explor-ing the Grand Canyon, and the conclusive fifteen hours to Kansas. While together at the party hosted by my Muslim friends the previous evening, they had asked if I would be home “Sunday even-ing at 5 o'clock, well, maybe 6... or 7...” since it was my last even-ing in Sacramento. Personally, I thought 2 farewell parties at the park and several other goodbyes

“ You will never be completely

at home again, because part of

your heart will always be

elsewhere. That is the price

you p ay for the richness of liv-

ing and loving people in more

than one place. ” -Mick Wout

Farewell, Heidi Jo Heidi Jo came to Sacramento on August 24, just a few days after we

brought Kenton home from the hospital. She was willing to be the first girl to come help us here in Sacramento, and weathered with us a number of other firsts...first tutoring classes, first ESL classes, & first girls’ apartment. She helped us to begin laying a groundwork for the future here at SCM. Thank-you, Heidi Jo, for being a pioneer, and making our lives richer by your work here. Blessings as you go from here! We will miss you!

quainted with them. Although I had spent the past 4 months practicing English with these ladies, conversation was still a challenge due to their lack of fluency. Thirty minutes later they acknowledged my early departure plans, deciding they should let me go to sleep. I bade these dear friends a final farewell and closed the door to this venture. While numerous differences in our cultures make some of their actions appear almost rude to us, I have discovered that in reality, the hospitality we plain people pride our-selves in seems stiff compared to what my Muslim friends are invariably prepared to extend. It was a challenge to learn how to relate to women across a vast language and cultural barrier. After many startling surprises and frequent blunders, I have learned to have a new level of flexibility and grace in relationships. Thankfully they were gracious friends who informed me of the proper way to respond! I will miss these families and their culture. They welcomed me right into their lives. Although I faced many challenging adjustments and circumstances in my nine months while serving at Street-light, I am more firmly convinced than ever that God is Good, All the Time. It's a blessing to know that He never changes, yet because He's infinite, He is adequately pre-pared to provide for us even when our circumstances and needs change drastically. “And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years [nine months] in the wilderness [city], to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know... that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.” Deuteronomy 8:2-3 NKJV

brackets added for personal application.

Summertime Grace

Sometimes we sigh a little when summer comes. Up to

this point, summertime means that our help is sparse, and it

is not unusual for our little family to carry kids club alone,

which means more planning and added stress. Heidi Jo and I

planned out this summer’s projects with an eye for simple

ones that don’t take as much adult help. Then we waited to

see how God would carry us through. We have had a policy

that once you turn 13, you may help volunteer. Over the

years, we have had a few teens who were pretty consistent,

and many who weren't. Just before the girls left, we had 3

teenage boys who showed interest in volunteering—

Nazhyre, Nehemiah, and Mohammed. These 3 have given us

consistent help this summer, and have done exceptionally

well. And sometimes Anais, Janyla, and Raz like to help too.

They are all pleased with their pay of an extra candy treat,

and we feel blessed that God sent them to help this summer,

and hopefully beyond.

CAPTIONS: (top to bottom)

Making Ice cream in a bag

Yama with his fancy bee

Outdoor story time

Kahree with his long heart chain

Nazhyre

Anais & Janyla, with their Eiffel Tower

Mohammad and Raz

P.O. Box 1498 North Highlands, California 95660

www.streetlightchristianministries.org

Blessings

Prayer Requests

• Progress on the building • Teenage help at kids club • Lots of kids to pick vegetables

at the garden • A lull in the teen vandalism in

Logan Park

Streetlight Christian Ministries is supported by contributions from individuals. If you are interested in supporting this work, please send your donations to the following address: P.O. Box 1498, North Highlands, CA 95660

• An ESL teacher/program planner to replace Heidi Jo

• A clear fire inspection so we can use the building

• Funds to continue the work • Good contacts with parents

and kids at the Garden Party

Ordinary Income/Expense

Donations Received 16,736.31

Total Income 16,736.31

Gross Profit 16,736.31

Expense

Program Expense 4,152.99

Payroll & Benefits 17,420.54

Rent 8,850.00

Renovations, Repairs & Maintenance 25,509.62

Utilities 454.70

Office Supplies 2434.59

Travel 810.25

Other Expense 332.13

Total Expense 55,811.83

Net Ordinary Income -39,075.52

Victory Music Services Profit 10,001.59

Net Income -29,073.93

Financial Report January—June 2019