CABLE
spring 2016
the Counselors’ Newsletter
Director’s letter In a recent devotional, GEMS Training Manager, Lenae Bulthuis, challenged us to speak truth into our trials and strongholds. Using Scripture, we can tell our anxiety it will not control us. Deuteronomy 31:6b says, "Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
The same week Lenae shared this devotional I traveled to Kenya and Zambia. Through her words, God showed me how to overcome some of my fears—like flying and encountering deadly snakes and spiders.
Inside: snowy success | 3 leadership training | 4 books to inspire | 5
I had to overcome many more fears when we missed two connecting flights, spent two nights on a plane, and my luggage was lost. I kept repeating, “Do not be afraid! God will not leave me and He goes before me. Fear, you are done with me!” God provided comfort and peace in the middle of my fear. Plus, He gave me so many opportunities to witness while standing in line to rebook, trying to find my bags, and waiting in many airports being rerouted.
As you lead your girls, be encouraged. Share how you overcome your challenges with Scripture. Let them know how God’s Word helps you. Being yourself and sharing your walk with God is a wonderful gift. You will never know how many eternal seeds you are planting by sharing how you handle life using God’s Word. Thank you for sharing the joy of Jesus and dedicating so much time and energy into the ministry. It is an amazing privilege to co-labor with you in Christ. Be inspired to speak God's Word over any attitudes or thoughts that are not of Him; whether it is fear over lost luggage and missed flight connections or anything else. May God fill you with His peace and love today and always. In His service,
Kristine Palosaari GEMS Executive Director
GEMS Executive Board Shirley Batts – Portage, Michigan
outgoing President’s Letter
Cheryl Boer – Chandler, Arizona
Dear Friends,
Amy Brooks – Midland Park, New Jersey Linda Hermen – Beecher, Illinois Judy Kapteyn – Sarnia, Ontario Mary Klingenberg – Mount Hope, Ontario
If you had to choose, which season would be your favorite? After living in California for more than 40 years, I think I would pick fall. I miss the beautiful kaleidoscope of colors that burst forth when the trees prepare for winter in colder climates.
For the last couple of years I have had the privilege of serving as president of the GEMS Executive Board. God is now calling Debbie Liccar to serve in that role. She loves God and she loves GEMS. Debbie and the rest of the board represent each of you and are here to serve. They welcome your input as well as your prayers.
Debra Liccar – Crete, Illinois Grace Moes – Mississauga, Ontario Andrea Mulder – Norwich, Ontario Tina Rooks – Grand Rapids, Michigan Lorelle Rozendal – Grand Rapids, Michigan Cindy Visser – Zeeland, Michigan
GEMS Staff Training Manager - Lenae Bulthuis
There have been changes over the last few years in GEMS, and when we think of how beautifully God changes the color of leaves on a tree, we are reminded that God can also bring beauty to the changes we experience both as a ministry and in life in general.
Dear Women,
Managing Editor - Kelli Gilmore
I’d never heard of GEMS until 22 years ago when our oldest daughter joined the club at our church. After a year I still didn’t know much about GEMS other than I really liked the women who ran the ministry and my daughter was having fun learning about God and making friends. One day I heard our club was looking for a Club Coordinator. So, I volunteered. God showered blessing on the ministry instantly. He placed godly women in my path who supported me and showed me what to do.
Customer Relations - Hannah Noorman Executive Director - Kristine Palosaari International Ministries Director - Jill Postma Conference Coordinator - Alecia VanHulzen Publications Director/Senior Editor - Amy White To honor God by being responsible stewards of His creation, Cable is printed on post-consumer recycled paper and uses vegetable-based inks. Canada Post Publication Sales Agreement #41124116, return undeliverable copies to Cable c/o GEMS Girls’ Clubs, PO Box 39, Norwich, ON N0J 1P0
Mary Jo Vis Executive Board President
incoming President's Letter
Operations Director - Michele DeHaan
Graphic & Web Designer - Lisa Hunter
With love and prayer,
Since then, I have had the privilege of seeing young girls accept Christ as their Savior, witnessed mentoring relationships
between girls and counselors, and connected with women all across the world. I have experienced the sisterhood of GEMS and my heart is filled with gratitude. Praise be to God for placing me on the board and in this office of presidency. I ask that you continue to pray for the GEMS ministry and its vision. If every girl was a GEM how different our world would be. In His service,
Debra Liccar Executive Board President
Club News check your mailbox, club coordinators!
We’re sending you a special package in late June or early July! It will include a checklist for the upcoming season, SHINE brightly and Sparkle renewals and invoices, as well as a Supply Catalog and order form. If you’re not returning as the Club Coordinator next year, please let us know as soon as possible so we can ensure the correct person receives this information.
GEMS Sunday Resources
2 | Cable
If you would prefer to receive an electronic copy of Cable, send a note to cable@gemsgc.org to be added to our email list.
GEMS Sunday is a great opportunity to keep your congregation or organization up-todate with what your club has done throughout the year. Most clubs will host this event in late April or early May. For additional resources, visit the GEMS website (gemsgc.org).
Snowy success If you live in an area with cold, snowy winters, the season can leave you and your GEMS feeling cooped up and even a little crazy! That’s how Marnie Wittenbach, a member of the Area 23 Leadership Team, has felt in the past. But she wasn’t going to let that happen this past winter. Instead, she got busy and planned a snow party for her area! “In the past, we had huge events [in our area] with well over 100 girls,” Marnie said. “But this event was more focused on a smaller group and trying to build relationships.” Twenty-two girls showed up for their Saturday events at Camp Roger in
Belding, Michigan. “We started with reading some of Psalm 96, praying, and being encouraged to enjoy the day in God’s creation,” Marnie said. From there, she left it up to the camp staff! Their group was divided in two—one half explored the lake and the other snow shoed around camp. “The group at the lake had a quick lesson about ice safety and checked the thickness of the ice,” Marnie said. “Then they played tag and broomball.” The rest of the day was also a hit— hot chocolate, silly pictures, and goody-bags included. The event was a success!
If you’re looking to build relationships between counselors and girls in your area, Marnie has a few tips: keep it simple and local. “Choose something you’re excited about,” Marnie said. She had been to Camp Roger before and had always enjoyed her experience there. She trusted their staff and was able to add her own personal touches to create a great winter fun day! Contact your leadership team to see if there are any upcoming events in your area. Or, touch base and share your ideas with them. Visit gemsgc.org for more information.
Camp Counselors Needed Do you know a college-aged woman who has a passion for mentoring younger girls and a love for summer camp? Encourage her to be a TLC (counselor) for Get Connected! Camp this summer! This year, Get Connected! Camp will be held at Camp Brébeuf in Rockwood, Ontario from August 14-19. Visit gemsgc.org for an application and more information! Spring 2016 | 3
TRAINING CONFERENCE
GEMS LEADERSHIP TRAINING GEMS LEADERSHIP TRAINING SPRING SEMINAR
Giddy-Up to bozeman! GEMS Leadership Conference is a place to be equipped, to share ideas, to experience the bond of a sisterhood, to discover new ways to use your unique gifts, and so much more! It’s a time to be refreshed, to prepare, and to be encouraged. Each summer, women from across North America gather to be reminded that, when we partner with God, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of girls in our clubs! The GEMS Leadership Conference will take place July 21-24 at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana—and we couldn’t be more excited to have you join us! Here are a few things to look forward to: •
•
Women’s Night of Worship. This time together will help us draw near to our Father and meditate on His love. This is just the kickoff to all the other amazing worship experience you will have at Conference. Annual Theme. You will have plenty of opportunities to soak in everything there is to know about
this year’s Annual Theme. Learn what Love Overflows means and receive tips and tools for how to share it with your GEMS. •
•
Workshops. With a variety of workshop options you can customize your experience! The possibilities range from sessions on personal enrichment to clubspecific topics—and everything in between.
together with women from across North America to share, connect, grow, and build relationships. It’s your time to brainstorm with other counselors and be reminded that you belong. •
Sisterhood. You are not in this alone. You are part of a community! This weekend is about coming
Pre-Conference Tours. Let’s explore Montana! Join us a day early and explore Yellowstone National Park, take a zip line through a canyon and a white water raft adventure, or get a taste of the Old Wild West with a tour of abandoned Virginia City and Nevada City.
Love overflows in 2016-17 Sometimes we put limits on love. We save it for Valentines, anniversaries, or as a label we give our favorite foods. But that’s not how God’s love works—because He is love. It’s who He is and what He does. His love overflows through His entire creation—it’s bigger than we can ever imagine.
4 | Cable
And all we have to do is receive it! When we do, the overflow continues. This coming season it’s our hope that women and girls will be challenged to really, truly receive God’s love— and to really, truly pass it on to everyone around them. First Thessalonians 3:12 says: May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
books to inspire you As a mentor, you pour into the lives of girls on a regular basis. Over and over you share your energy, passion, and spirit. But if you aren’t being filled along the way it can result in a quick burnout. Check out these books to help keep you feeling inspired for your work with girls: Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist Read recipes along with personal stories of how being around the table with people the author loves has changed her life and relationships.
It’s Good to Be Queen: Becoming as Bold, Gracious, and Wise as the Queen of Sheba by Liz Curtis Higgs Explore the Queen of Sheba’s life and discover a quest for wisdom.
Crazy Love by Francis Chan This book explores God’s all-powerful, relentless love and what it means for us.
Love Does by Bob Goff Through Bob Goff’s whimsical stories, you will discover how to lead a secretly incredible life in the midst of the ordinary.
The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard Discover the true meaning of discipleship with this read.
A Minute of Margin: Restoring Balance to Busy Lives by Richard A. Swenson, M.D. Create the space you need in your schedule by eliminating unneeded frustrations and reflecting on how you spend your time. For the Love by Jen Hatmaker If you’re looking for a laugh, Jen Hatmaker looks at how Jesus’ grace is the key to living well with people.
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence Discover the importance of opening your heart to receive God and His loving presence. Life-Changing Love by John Ortberg Author John Ortberg reveals the God who is head-over-heels in love with you and how that impacts your life. If: Trading Your If Only Regrets for God’s What If Possibilities by Mark Batterson Learn how to trade in your “if only” statements for “what if” statements and see the impact it can have.
stay connected with parents While in-person conversations with the parents of your GEMS are ideal, it’s not always possible to make them a reality. Social media can be a great supplemental way to stay connected with parents. Check out these ideas for using technology to share important club announcements or fun experiences with parents. 1. Create a Facebook page. This is a great first step—especially if you know your parents are active on this platform. You can use the invite tool to encourage parents and other church congregants to like your page. Then use the space to send updates about badge work, share pictures from events, and remind parents about meeting times. Note: If you plan to post pictures, make sure each parent fills out a release form. 2. Send emails. At the beginning of club, ask each parent to share his or her email address with you. This is also a great tool for sharing information and pictures, especially if you know a large percentage of your parents aren’t active on other social media platforms. 3. Share GEMS resources. Whether you choose email, Facebook, or another means to pass along information, don’t forget to point parents to the additional resources on the GEMS website. The RE>Imagine blog (gemsgc.org/reimagine) and parent newsletters are a few that are available.
Spring 2016 | 5
4. Always respond. Remember that social media is not a one-way conversation. If a parent leaves you a comment or a question be sure to recognize his or her response and reply within a reasonable amount of time.
family matters We all have different experiences with family. For some, the topic is accompanied with pain and sadness because of tough situations or the loss of people close to them. For others, family is their safe place. It’s a place for life celebrations and closeknit conversations. Whatever your experience, know that the familial experiences of girls in your club are most likely diverse. They may be peppered with a mix of divorce, loss, and strong, supportive units. Help your GEMS understand that, no matter their situation at home, your club time is a safe place. It’s a place to love each other and learn how to best love our family members, even when it’s really hard. The Summer issue of SHINE brightly Magazine is a great resource to help guide you through these conversations with your small group. Check out these examples for a few ideas: •
6 | Cable
•
Do You Have Patience with Your Family? Page 8. Patience takes lots of practice! Encourage your small group to take this quiz at the beginning of your session or take it together. Then, ask girls to share a time when they weren’t patient with someone in their family. How did it make them feel? How did it make the other person feel? Then, talk about the importance of patience and how it can help us show the people we’re closest to how much we love them. Kaleidoscope Art, Page 19. Kaleidoscopes are like small, handheld telescopes that create beautiful, changing patterns. If you have one that is easily accessible, bring it in to show your girls. Talk about how, like a kaleidoscope, your family creates a unique, changing picture as each person develops and grows. Ask girls to share some fun facts about their families as they color in the kaleidoscope design on the page.
Find more tips and tools like these on the GEMS Leaders’ Blog each month (gemsgc.org/leaders-blog)!
GEMS Expands to Kenya During a recent visit to Kenya, GEMS Executive Director, Kris Palosaari, and International Ministries Director, Jill Postma, met with Christian leaders of the Maasai people to introduce them to the GEMS international curriculum and counselor training. In the past five years, many churches have been planted among the Maasai communities thanks to Christian Reformed World Missions and their work with leadership training courses for Christian pastors.
While visiting, Kris and Jill spoke with more than 100 pastors in six informational sessions. These pastors are enthusiastic about the opportunity to use GEMS as a way to spiritually mentor the girls in their communities. GEMS will continue to be in communication with leaders in the area through our newly appointed Kenyan GEMS contact, Munyiva Kitavi. She will help us continue to start more clubs in the area and work to train women as counselors throughout the country.
Generational gems While pouring yourself into a career, a volunteer opportunity, or a hobby, it’s easy to overlook the legacy you are creating. But the reality is everything you do has the potential to impact the lives of the generations that follow you. That was true for Teressa Bierenga’s family. Now a counselor at Brookside Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Teressa’s first year in the program was 30 years ago. But GEMS played an important role in her family’s life long before that. Her grandma was a counselor and Teressa can testify, even as a little girl, to how GEMS impacted her grandmother’s life. “The GEMS program has blessed so many women and girls in the past and present!” Teressa said. “I have seen what a blessing GEMS is to girls and leaders, which includes my grandma and myself. Each year as a GEMS leader I learn more about God’s love and grace. I also learn the importance of teaching each girl about God’s special story—about His love for us.”
As Teressa wraps up her sixth year as a GEMS counselor, she reflects on the excitement she experienced seeing her daughter in her first year of the program. “I am so excited to see how God is going to use her time at GEMS to shape her faith journey, develop her gifts, and help her grow as a child of God,” Teressa said. “Perhaps someday she will represent the next generation of GEMS leaders!”
GEMS Girls’ Clubs
The Es her School GEMS Girls’ Clubs
The Es her School GEMS Girls’ Clubs
Zambian impact Hannah (grade 8) and Mia (grade 7) Van Leeuwen have attended GEMS Girls’ Clubs since they were in grade two. That’s how they first heard about The Esther School. So when their parents told them the family was taking a year sabbatical to travel the world, they knew they wanted to stop in Zambia! “Seeing a different culture and way of life makes such an impact on how you view the world,” said Renate Van Leeuwen, past GEMS counselor and mom to Hannah and Mia. “We wanted our kids to learn through a hands-on, cross-cultural experience. Our church and family have supported The Esther School from the start, so when planning our trip, we made [going there] a top priority.” While at The Esther School, Hannah and Mia spent time volunteering in the classroom, reading and writing with students, and playing with them at recess.
- Mia, grade 7, on visiting The Esther School
“I had no idea the size of the school,” observed Hannah. “Did you know that each year they add a grade? That means in order to add a class, you need to build a classroom every year.” Through their trip, the Van Leeuwens gained a greater understanding of the school. They realized that more than just an education was happening in Nyangwena. They saw a ministry of love and care. Through the food program, co-teaching, employment opportunities, and supportive staff, they witnessed a school impacting a community.
The Van Leeuwen family was so grateful to see and experience The Esther School. Before they left for the next leg of their journey they reflected on their experience. “The Esther School is equipping children for Christian leadership. These kids will transform their community and their nation.” By learning more about The Esther School, GEMS throughout North America are encouraged to think beyond themselves and find ways to radically live out their faith. Find out more about The Esther School and how your club can get involved at estherschool.org. A New Look We have a new logo! Check out estherschool.org for more on this new look and the intention behind it.
Spring 2016 | 7
“The kids were so loving,” said Mia. “They run up to you to hold your hand and hug you before they even know who you are.”
"The kids were so loving. They run up to you to hold your hand and hug you before they even know who you are."
Written by Dana Krol
Dynamic Youth Ministries 1333 Alger St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507
2016 gems open Year after year we hear stories and see pictures from your clubs. And through it all we rejoice in the ways God is working.
get involved. That’s why we’re asking you to join us on Friday, May 20 at Diamond Springs Golf Club in Hamilton, Michigan.
It’s through this sisterhood— this community—that GEMS continues to grow. It’s because of dedicated women like you that we can continue to reach girls with the message of Jesus’ love.
If you don’t live in Michigan, this still applies to you! We need sponsorships and donations from across North America. We also have a golfat-a-distance sponsorship option for people who still want to play but can’t make it to our Michigan event.
One way we ensure GEMS is able to impact more and more girls is through our annual ministry-wide golf outing. With your game of golf, sponsorship, or donation to the silent auction, you can help us continue to offer programs, curriculum, and events like Get Connected! Camp—a summer camp for girls across North America. But in order for this event to be a success, we need everyone to
Getting involved is simple. Tell one business owner or golfer why you are passionate about GEMS. Share a personal story or the ways you have seen GEMS impact the lives of girls in your community. Then, direct them to our website (gemsgc.org) to find out how they can participate in our GEMS Open and continue to advance the work God is doing through GEMS.
Don’t forget to invite your GEMS parents, too! When they participate, their daughters receive a free copy of the Micah Road Mysteries: Shadows in Tenebray Forest—GEMS first full-length book based on the mystery series in SHINE brightly Magazine!
For registration and sponsorship information, visit gemsgc.org. If you have questions, contact Kris at 616-241-5616 Ext. 3031 or kristine@gemsgc.org.