Spring, Volume 3, 2010-2011
Sharing news and light with friends of GEMS
connection
POINT
GEMS Girls’ Clubs Executive Board Shirley Batts Portage, MI Cheryl Boer Eden Prairie, MN Cori Dykhouse Port Lambton, ON Susan Kepley Grand Rapids, MI Glennys Kuperus Hudsonville, MI Lia Leenstra Byron Center, MI Debra Liccar Crete, IL Henrietta Reinders Rockwood, ON Amy Schaaf Grand Rapids, MI Irene Vanderlaan Indianapolis, IN Mary Jo Vis Riverside, CA
GEMS Girls’ Clubs Staff Executive Director—Jan Boone Training Manager—Lenae Bulthuis
Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly with God. Micah 6:8
REFLECTIONS We all know how it is when we get something right, and instantly we start smiling. We’re delighted with what has happened! “We got it right!” we say. Far more important, however, is when we get something right and we sense that God is smiling back at us. Do you know what I mean? Sometimes we know in our spirits that He is pleased with what we have done.
International Ministries Development Specialist—Emily Thomas
I believe that God was pleased with GEMS 50 years ago when the ministry established Micah 6:8 as it’s aim. This is the target we teach girls to focus on with their lives. In GEMS Clubs around the globe you can hear girls recite Micah 6:8 with passion:
Conference Coordinator— Alecia VanHulzen
“What does the Lord require of you, GEMS girls and counselors?”
Customer Relations Specialist— Michele DeHaan Managing Editor—Kelli Ponstein
Publications and Web Coordinator—Amy White Executive Secretary—Gert Wolfert Graphic & Web Designer—Nicole Zaagman
“To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God.” It’s such a rich part of our history, and one that I believe contributes greatly to this sense of God being pleased with the ministry. It helps girls understand early in their lives the answer to an age–old question uttered by millions, “God, what do you expect of me?” Girls grow each year in their understanding of exactly
what God does expect of them and how they can honor Him by being obedient – doing what He asks them to do. Micah 6:8 has been called the prescription for a life well lived. The prophet Micah wrote this verse for an affluent society in hot pursuit of all the wrong things. Sound familiar? We teach girls in GEMS Clubs exactly what Micah was saying to his audience, Israel and Judah, and to us today. God is uncompromising in what He expects of us. His Word tells us what He expects so there is no need for guesswork. But He is not demanding, and He is full of grace. Thanks for your faithful support and expressed appreciation over the years as GEMS continues to help women and girls live radically transformed lives. Thanks also for expressing your appreciation directly to the counselors in your church as they complete this year’s season. GEMS counselors are the best!
Jan Boone, Executive Director
BIG HANDPRINTS - BIG CHANGES
By mid-October her club had 48 girls total and nine counselors. “It was a very exciting time, but also a bit overwhelming,” Lori explained. “Many girls had little or no knowledge about Jesus. Quite a few were given their first Bibles, and we began teaching them the very basics about looking up verses. Some came from very difficult home situations. I was thrilled that God had brought so many girls, but I also felt so burdened for them.” Lori quickly turned her burden over to God, and He convicted her to seek a prayer partner for her club. “The first person who came to my mind was Anita Dolash, a 91-year-old member of our church who loves the Lord with all her heart.”
Member of Parliament, Gord Brown, with GEMS from Athens, Ontario.
In 2000, 189 nations gathered at the UN to discuss how to reduce extreme poverty around the world. Together, they created the Millennium Development Goals – eight essential objectives that each nation agreed could be achieved by 2015.
When Lori asked about the possibility two days later, Anita was ready with a response. “Honey,” she said, “two days ago I said to God, ‘Surely there is something I can do to serve! I can’t teach or do so many things I used to do. What can I do?’”
In the September and October issues of SHINE brightly and Sparkle Magazines, readers were challenged to participate in The Big Hand-Over – a call to action for Christians. The Big Hand-Over involved creating handprints and submitting them to local politicians as a reminder that we only have four years left to meet these goals that address extreme poverty, hunger, and disease, while promoting gender equality, education, and sustainability.
God convicted both women on the same day, and Anita was totally on board – insisting that she pray for each girl individually by name instead of the club as a whole.
As girls from Athens, Ontario learned about the MDG, they wanted to get involved. The 30 GEMS, along with their five counselors and one CIT (Counselor-in-Training) made a banner with all of their handprints.
“That was exactly what I had in mind!” Lori said. “I gave Anita a picture of each girl and leader [in first through fifth grades], and every day since midOctober she has brought each of us by name to the throne of God! Every time I see her she says, ‘I haven’t missed a day!’” Another woman, Corene Grube, then started praying for the girls in sixth through eighth grades.
“We explained the Millennium Goals to the girls,” said Club Coordinator, Evelina Oosterhof. “We “Every few weeks we write prayer requests then had a prayer for the poor and for our and send them to Anita and Corene,” Lori world leaders. Then the girls excitedly put “Many girls had said. “The girls love to write these and their painted handprints to paper! Prayer is little or no knowledge often include notes of appreciation. something the girls can do at any time for about Jesus. Quite a few What a blessing for the girls and leaders, anyone. Hopefully they will see their prayers were given their first Bibles, and what a wonderful ministry for Anita answered.” and we began teaching and Corene!” them the very basics
After creating their banner, the club invited about looking up Anita and Corene are making a lasting their Member of Parliament, Gord Brown, verses.” difference in the lives of each of these to come speak to the girls. “He said he was girls. How can you get involved with your excited to see youth become involved in making local GEMS Club? Consider becoming a changes in our world,” Evelina said. “He told prayer partner or finding another way to bless the the girls they are very blessed to be living in Canada women and girls in your church or community. You’re – to be living in a country where we have so much. He never too old to help! encouraged them to do whatever they could to help others.” After he addressed the girls, GEMS from each grade presented him with their banner, signifying their club’s desire to reach out and make a big difference in their town, in their country, and in their world.
CALLED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE In their fourth year as a GEMS Club, Lori Foor, Club Coordinator at Columbus Karl Road Baptist Church in Columbus, OH, was expecting seven or eight girls in her group when the season started.
GEMS INTERNATIONAL
THE ESTHER SCHOOL
As GEMS continues to find new ways to live out our name, we invite you to join us in prayer for a new facet of the ministry. GEMS International will seek to reach underprivileged communities around the world with curriculum that speaks into the lives of girls who have limited educational opportunities and fewer financial resources.
One of the teachers’ dormitories as well as the pre-school/ kindergarten are complete, and construction on the library at The Esther School is currently underway. Each $9 US that is donated allows us to add another brick to the school (to date we have 23,888 of the 180,000 bricks we need!). Will you consider helping us build the dream of the children in Chongwe, Zambia by donating bricks to The Esther School?
Our hope is that the curriculum that is currently being developed will spread Christ’s grace and truth even further and bring women and girls around the world into a living, dynamic relationship with Him. As the curriculum progresses, you will be able to get more information on the GEMS website (www. gemsgc.org). Please check it out, and then join us as we continue to seek God’s direction and timing on this new venture!
PLEASE PRAY We ask you to partner with us in prayer as we continually seek God’s direction for the overall GEMS ministry. GEMS Annual Counselors’ Leadership Conference July 7-10, in Fort Collins, CO: that this weekend would be an intentional, God-honoring experience for each attendee. EMS Clubs that are struggling financially in our G current economy. Hand ‘n Hand fundraiser for club in Zambia and North America: that the necessary funds would be provided.
Visit the GEMS website to find out more about our work in Zambia and how girls across North America are getting involved with The Esther School and other projects that directly invest in the lives of women and girls in Africa. You can watch as the pile of bricks grows each week and brings us closer to The Esther School becoming a reality!
Name Address City State/Province
BRICK BY BRICK Partnering with the Cadet ministry for boys, GEMS from Barrhead, Alberta recently held a craft sale fundraiser to support the construction of the library at The Esther School. “We have been excited to learn of the progress being made at the school,” reports Club Coordinatory, Emily Knoop-Vanderwekken, “and [we] continue to pray for Zambia and the work GEMS is doing there.” Through the sale, this group of young people was able to raise over $800 and purchase 84 bricks to add to the school. Through efforts like this as well as your continuous donations and support, The Esther School will become a reality – brick by brick!
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I would like to donate r
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Expiration date:
bricks to The Esther School.
MasterCard /
Card Number Name on account
Address on account Please MAIL TO: GEMS Girls’ Clubs • PO Box 7259 • Grand Rapids, MI • 49510
Bring hope. Buy a Brick. Build the Dream. $9 per brick
GEMS 15TH ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC
GEMS GIRLS’ CLUBS GOLF CLASSIC REGISTRATION FORM (or register online at www.gemsgc.org)
Name Address Telephone Email
Other Golfers in my Foursome Name Address Telephone Email
Join us on Friday, May 20, 2011 at Quail Ridge Golf Course in Ada, MI, for GEMS 15th Annual Golf Classic! GEMS strives to equip women and girls to live radically faithful lives – doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God, and this event is an integral part of making that happen. Each year, GEMS hosts a day of golf where friends of the ministry are able to relax, fellowship, and enjoy some time on the greens.
Name Address Telephone Email Name Address Telephone Email
The Golf Classic is the only fundraiser held for the overall GEMS organization, and the money raised helps support the ministry while specifically underwriting Get Connected! Camp – a summer camp for early teen girls.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
We need your help! Please consider supporting GEMS by signing up to golf or becoming a sponsor. Your business or family can help impact girls’ lives around the world!
mHOLE SPONSOR - $250
mEVENT SPONSOR - $1,000 mLUNCH SPONSOR - $750 mCART SPONSOR - $500 mTEE SPONSOR - $125 mCONTRIBUTOR - (In-kind or monetary) Sponsor Name Company Name Address Telephone Email Amount Enclosed
INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION GOLF AND LUNCH = $135
COME GOLF WITH US MAY 20!
Quail Ridge Golf Course
x $135 =
c I will be unable to golf with you this year but I would like to make a donation or in-kind contribution of .
Make checks payable to: GEMS Girls’ Clubs PO Box 7259 • Grand Rapids, MI • 49510 Phone 616-241-5616, ext 3032 • Fax 616-241-5558