connection
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I’ve often referred to my work at GEMS as “my assignment,” the task God has for me. And because I’ve loved it so much, I’ve always thought of it as what I “get to do” rather than what I “have to do.” I’ve known that when “my assignment” is finished, I’d know it—God would make that clear. And that is exactly what He has done. For the last 17 ½ years I’ve had the rich privilege of serving as the Executive Director of GEMS. And it has been my great joy to do so. I’ve loved getting to be a part of such a wonderful sisterhood of women who love and serve God with their whole hearts. But soon my service at GEMS will be complete, and I will, like Zachariah in the verse above, return home. For the last two years, my living arrangements have been more challenging following a job change for my husband and our relocation to a community 95 minutes from the GEMS office. This has meant living apart for at least half of every week. While our daughters are grown and it is just Dale and me at home, God used the death of my father-in-law this year to show me my next assignment: to return home. While it is difficult to leave something you love so much, it is far more rewarding to be obedient to what God asks you to do. There is peace and joy in the decision and in the thoughts of the future. Because God has SO faithfully guided and directed this ministry throughout the last 54 years, I am ever-so-confident He will continue to do that in the future.
12 sharing news and light with friends of gems
director’s letter When his time of service was completed, he returned home. Luke 1:23
fall
The Executive Board has put together a highly capable search committee that is actively searching at this time. And God WILL direct just the right person to help lead the ministry into the future. An exciting future does indeed await GEMS! My official retirement date is not until March 1 of 2013, so until that time, I’ll continue trying to give my best to this ministry I so love. After that time, I will continue with GEMS parttime, helping guide and develop our international ministry.
GEMS Girls’ Clubs EXECUTIVE BOARD Shirley Batts – Portage, Michigan Cheryl Boer – Eden Prairie, Minnesota Cori Dykhouse – Port Lambton, Ontario Lia Leenstra – Byron Center, Michigan Debra Liccar – Crete, Illinois Henrietta Reinders – Rockwood, Ontario Amy VandenBerg – Grand Rapids, Michigan
GEMS Girls’ Clubs has continued to grow over the years. We have more clubs and reach more girls than ever before in our history— in North America and around the world. God has guided and led us into many new endeavors that impact girls’ lives for all eternity. His Spirit has indeed directed our steps. But always, at the heart of every whisper from God to follow Him, was His deep desire to use the GEMS ministry to help bring more and more girls into a living, dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ. His deep desire is likewise our greatest desire and the on-going mission of the ministry.
Irene Vanderlaan – Indianapolis, Indiana
To all of you who have so faithfully supported the GEMS ministry over the years with your prayers and financial gifts, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I treasure each and every one of you. And I ask you to continue to pray with us as we ask the Lord to bring a new leader to help guide and direct the ministry into the future. And to God be the glory!
Conference Coordinator – Alecia VanHulzen
Jan Boone, Executive Director
Mary Jo Vis – Riverside, California Cindy Visser – Zeeland, Michigan
GEMS Girls’ Clubs STAFF Director of Urban Ministries – Renee Bacon Executive Director – Jan Boone Training Manager – Lenae Bulthuis Customer Relations Specialist – Michele DeHaan Managing Editor – Kelli Ponstein Senior Editor/Publications & Web Coordinator – Amy White Executive Secretary – Gert Wolfert Graphic & Web Designer – Nicole Zaagman
think right: win the fight! Finally, brothers (sisters), whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8 If we’re not equipped to stop them, negative thoughts can infiltrate our lives. We might tell ourselves, I’m just not good enough. We may start to think, I’m not smart enough. Or we will perhaps silently whisper lies like, I always mess everything up. But these thoughts run contrary to the Godhonoring things Scripture calls us to think about! We can even try to convince ourselves it’s not a big deal—they’re just our thoughts, after all—but the truth is God designed our minds to be our control centers: Our thoughts direct our words, our words impact our actions, and our actions dictate who we become. That’s certainly a big deal! A battle is taking place in each of our minds as God’s Spirit fights to overcome our negative thoughts—thoughts that are fueled by our sinful nature, the world around us, and Satan’s attacks. Because what we think about determines who we become, the fight between the Spirit and our enemies is literally a fight for our lives! Each year GEMS Clubs around North America focus on an Annual Theme. Throughout the coming GEMS season girls and their counselors will explore what it means to Think Right and Win the Fight by focusing on the think-about list God gives us in Philippians 4:8. Girls will learn to focus on life-giving thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.
counselor training Gathered Together “I feel very equipped, trained, motivated, and encouraged. I enjoyed the variety of activities presented throughout the week from the workshops to the entertainment, the worship, and the GREAT speakers. Thank you!” “I found the Lord whispering to me throughout the weekend; what a delight!” In July, over 640 women gathered at Wheaton College in Chicago, Illinois to learn and grow together at GEMS Annual Counselors’ Leadership Conference. They received a think-right battle plan as they learned about the new theme and experienced fun and engaging ways to make this season’s focus come alive for their girls. In addition to unveiling the new theme, Conference is an amazing time for women to connect, share ideas, and be equipped in their personal lives as well as their work with GEMS. Attendees were inspired by speakers, challenged by breakout workshops, and blessed by times of worship together.
Come to Vancouver! Next July, Conference will be taking place at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver! Planning is already well under way as we seek to continue to challenge and encourage women in their important role as mentors to girls.
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Check out the GEMS website for more information (www.gemsgc. org) on next year’s event, and encouarage the counselors in your church or area to attend!
rally for a cause GEMS from Northern Alberta gathered for an area-wide event this past May to engage and inspire their girls while also rallying behind a cause. “We had 210 GEMS and 50 counselors from 17 different churches in our area attend the rally,” explained counselor Sandra Vanderveen. “We started with praising God through singing—we raised the rafters with our voices!” In addition to a time of praise and worship, GEMS and their counselors were able to hear a speaker who talked with them about the wisdom of staying active. She also offered practical ways girls could live their lives for Jesus. “After lunch we worked on crafts and fun activities,” Sandra continued. But amidst the fun, girls were also challenged to reach out and help. “We raised money for The Esther School by collecting a donation from the attendees. We raised $1,300 that we happily put toward tables for The Esther School!” This is one of countless examples of GEMS around North America joining forces and raising their voices in defense of orphans and widows in their distress (James 1:27).
beyond a club Each month, September through May, GEMS publishes a magazine for girls in grades 4-6. SHINE brightly not only contains the theme-related Bible lessons that are used in clubs, but it offers girls activities, stories, and inspiration to help them grow their relationship with God. Since SHINE brightly is available to anyone wishing to subscribe, it continues to be an amazing outreach tool to help GEMS fulfill its name to help girls everywhere meet their Savior. We recently received a letter from one of our subscribers from Minnesota, sharing how she was motivated by an article in SHINE. “As soon as I read about The Esther School in Zambia, I really wanted to help!” she writes. “I started to fill an empty jar on my desk with pennies, and the pile just kept growing! I’ve collected $12—just enough for a Bible!” But, she didn’t stop there. After sending in her donation that will afford a girl in a GEMS Club in Zambia her own Bible, she started to spread the word. “I even told my friends. We all accepted the challenge from SHINE to live off $2 each day. It was super hard. I hope this will help. I’ve started yet another collection to buy a brick for the school!” If you know a girl who could benefit from the fun and inspiring contents of SHINE brightly ($13.95 US, $18.70 CN) or Sparkle, a magazine for younger girls, ($10.70 US, $13.95 CN), contact the GEMS Service Center today!
we walk
the esther school
There’s no such thing as “just a girl!”
Sponsor a Student
Coming to cities around Canada and the US, the We Walk Tour is a special motherdaughter event designed to deepen girls’ knowledge of their God-given value. Based on the themes from the new book series published by GEMS, The Micah Road Mysteries, author and speaker, Sara Lynne Hilton, will help girls understand that in God’s hands even the smallest offerings can be life-giving. With worship, separate breakout sessions for moms/mentors (led by Renee Bacon and Lenae Bulthuis) and girls, and a service project, this is one event you won’t want to miss. Visit the GEMS website for more details and to see when the tour is coming to a city near you!
hand ‘n hand Hand ‘n Hand—a micro-financing program uniting women and girls in Zambia with clubs across North America—will once again be taking place in GEMS Clubs this year. Recognizing that the sobering needs in their own communities were not unique, a group of counselors in Zambia organized a weekly gathering to pray for different regions of the world. Inspired by their selfless commitment, Hand ‘n Hand will reflect their efforts this season. A Praying Around the World 18-month calendar will be paired with gourmet cookie mixes and sold by girls in the US and Canada. The proceeds will be used to help Zambian clubs become self-sustaining while also supporting the local clubs. Each North American club that participates will decide when to host this fundraiser, so if you’re interested in placing an order contact your local Club Coordinator for details!
A Christian education at The Esther School in Chongwe, Zambia will set students apart. Unlike many in this region of Africa, they will be equipped to overcome the poverty of their country and make a lasting impact on their community. But, they can’t do it alone. We still need sponsors for some of our students. For $600/year you and your family or business can ensure the students at The Esther School have everything they need to be successful. Your contribution will give a student a backpack, all the supplies he/she needs for the entire year, a breakfast snack, a healthy lunch every day, a uniform, and shoes for attending school. Your commitment is for one year, but many sponsors have already indicated a desire to follow their student through all 12 grades! Once you sign up to sponsor a student, you will receive updates on him/her via mail and email. Learn more on the GEMS website (www.gemsgc.org) and sign up to sponsor a student today or, use the form below!
Meet our Missionaries While you’re on the GEMS website, be sure to check out the blogs of both families currently serving as the administrators for The Esther School. The DeKam and Roelofs families moved to Chongwe in July, followed by Jean Selles and Rachel VanGent— the first two North American teachers at the school—in August! You can easily stay up-to-date on their lives and experiences in Zambia by following their blogs.
THE ESTHER SCHOOL STUDENT SPONSORSHIP REGISTRATION FORM Sponsor Name: __________________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________________ City: __________________________ State/Province: ____________Zip/Postal Code: ______________ Email: ______________________________________ Phone: (___________)_________________________ Payment will be made: � monthly @ $50 per month � annually @ $600 Send check or credit card information to: GEMS Girls’ Clubs PO Box 7259 Grand Rapids, MI 49510
Payment will be in the form of: � check made out to GEMS Girls’ Clubs with ES Student Sponsorship in the memo line � Visa � Mastercard � Discover Card #: ______________________________________________ Expiration date: ______________________________________ Name on CC if different than name above: ______________________________________________________
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get connected! camp In August, over 170 girls gathered at Cran-Hill Ranch in Rodney, Michigan for Get Connected! Camp—GEMS summer camp for early teen girls. During the week, campers learned what it means to connect. They connected with each other, their college-aged counselors, and—most importantly—with God. Each morning started with a new theme or, as we call them, a new critical life truth. We spent time talking about things that matter to girls—things that are of paramount importance in their lives. They discussed things they’ve been struggling with, wondering about, and things they’ve maybe never really thought about. And they also had a lot of fun! From silly camp songs like “Let Me See Your Boogaloo” to a flash mob, river tubing, horseback riding, archery, and swimming—there’s never a dull moment at camp! In fact, year after year, Get Connected! Camp proves to be the perfect setting to get girls away from the noise of their everyday routines in order to speak truth into their lives.
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 15th GEMS Open possible. While helping with overall ministry costs, the GEMS Open specifically covers the costs of Get Connected! Camp. Thanks again to these businesses and individuals:
Event Sponsors
De Jong Enterprises, Inc. Michael J. Liccar & Company R & M Construction Myles & Glennys Kuperus Richard & Judy Eppinga John & Linda Van Singel Alan & Terri Kaiser
Lunch Sponsors
Custom Design Components, Inc
Cart Sponsors
Eenhoorn, LLC Precise Machining, Inc Gerrit & Cori Dykhouse Dale & Jan Boone
Hole Sponsors
Deurloo Farms Stroo Funeral Home Best Way Disposal Ajacs Die Sales Corp. WDS Construction, Inc Jason & Shelley Kuipers Harry & Henrietta Reinders Bob & Barb Miedema John & Margaret VanderPloeg
Tee Sponsors
Zuidema Interiors Red Arrow Dairy Superior Seafoods Co Havit Supplies A&B Rentals Fountain Hill Counseling Center Marino Insurance Services, LLC Kevin & Amy Schaaf Gerald & Suzanne VanWieren
Contributors
Kenneth & Joan Feyen David & Linda Fink Don & Barb Bellinger Ralph & Irene Drost
Contributors . . . continued Robert & Linda Westrate Richard & Mary Vlietstra Bruce & Patty Gorter Scott & Cheryl Brill Jeff & Charla Melby Brad & Cheryl Boer David & Shirley Batts David & Judy Hopkins Simon Feddema William & Grace Lamberink Duane & Marge Westrate Nathan & Cassandra Reinders Petra Arends Bluewater Orthopaedic & Sports Supply Wallaceburg Bookbinding & MFG. CO Steven D. Lyzenga DDS Grand Buick All Star Printing Lewis Paper Ideal Printing Top Distributing Wise Photography Rycenga Building Center On The Border Graphics Unlimited Russ’ Fields Fabrics Calvin Bookstore Cornerstone University Ludwicks Cindy’s Hair Care Meijer BD’s Mongolian Barbeque Cascade Roadhouse Janie’s Cookies Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille Pilgrim’s Run Golf Club Mines Golf Course Watermark Properties Maple Hill Golf Course Broadmoor Country Club Ironwood Golf Course Pines Golf Course Gleneagle Golf Club LochenHeath
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