One at a Time

The following story comes to us from Kobus Viljoen in South Africa and is used by permission.

Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mother, you must come to see the daffodils before they are over." I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead. "I will come next Tuesday", I promised a little reluctantly on her third call.

Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and reluctantly I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn's house I was welcomed by the joyful sounds of happy children. I delightedly hugged and greeted my grandchildren.

"Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in these clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these children that I want to see badly enough to drive another inch!"

My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this all the time, Mother."

"Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears, and then I'm heading for home!" I assured her.

"But first we're going to see the daffodils. It's just a few blocks," Carolyn said. "I'll drive. I'm used to this. You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience."

After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the church, I saw a hand lettered sign with an arrow that read, " Daffodil Garden." We got out of the car, each took a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then, as we turned a corner, I looked up and gasped. Before me lay the most glorious sight.

It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it over the mountain peak and its surrounding slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns, great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, creamy white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, and saffron and butter yellow. Each different-colored variety was planted in large groups so that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its own unique hue. There were five acres of flowers.

"Who did this?" I asked Carolyn.

"Just one woman," Carolyn answered. "She lives on the property. That's her home." Carolyn pointed to a well-kept A-frame house, small and modestly sitting in the midst of all that glory. We walked up to the house.

On the patio, we saw a poster. "Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking", was the headline. The first answer was a simple one. "50,000 bulbs," it read. The second answer was, "One at a time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet, and one brain." The third answer was, "Began in 1958."

For me, that moment was a life-changing experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who, more than forty years before, had begun, one bulb at a time, to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountaintop. Planting one bulb at a time, year after year, this unknown woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. One day at a time, she had created something of extraordinary magnificence, beauty, and inspiration.

The principle her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principles of celebration. That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time--often just one baby-step at time--and learning to love the doing, learning to use the accumulation of time. When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world.

As we read this story we thought of all the instructors out there, who may be feeling a little discouraged about the few courses they are able to teach or the low number of people they are training.

Take heart! Remember that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Even if the numbers are small, you are accumulating a great "garden" of teachers who are joining with countless others around the world, reaching the children for Christ.

If we could catch a glimpse of the thousands of teachers we have all worked together to train in this ministry--and the hundreds of thousands of children they have reached, it would indeed be a glorious sight!

So keep on training out there--one TCE course at at time; one teacher at a time--and to God be the glory!

Be Nice!

Have you noticed there seems to be an epidemic of rudeness in our culture these days? Even people who work in the “service” industry seem to be more and more impatient and unkind to those they are supposed to serve. We’ve all been in stores, restaurants, waiting rooms and on telephone help lines hoping for good service and support, only to be treated with crass disrespect.

In a Turning Point daily devotional, Pastor David Jeremiah writes:
"The words influence and influenza are cousins. Leslie Flynn points out that the word influenza was introduced into English in the mid-1700s, apparently coming from the Italian who attributed the origin of his malady to an influenza di freddo (influence of the cold).

We are, by our very natures, very contagious people—our influence tends to spread to others as easily as the flu. Our attitudes are "catching." When you're cheerful, those around you become more joyful. When you're forgiving, those closest to you become more merciful. And when you're brave, those around you grow more courageous.”

Pastor Jeremiah’s words are important for us to remember as instructors of teachers. You are infecting your TCE students! Your words, attitudes and actions are contagious. If you are impatient, rude, unforgiving or unkind toward your students, they will pick up those traits like a bad cold! Then they will very likely pass them along to the children they teach. Such negative examples not only do a disservice to our students, they grieve the Holy Spirit.

God’s word says, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:29-32).

As instructors of teachers, we need to be influencing our students in positive ways. We can model patience, gentleness, forgiveness and kindness. As our teachers “catch” those attitudes from us in our words and actions, they will pass them along to the children.

The question is not whether you are contagious—you are whether you know it or not! The real question is, what are you passing along to others? Are you a positive influence or a toxic influenza? In other words, just BE NICE!

Do you have a comment on this subject? Click the comment link below and share your thoughts with the rest of us!

Kaylee's Story

Back in May, we received the precious testimony below from our friends and long-time instructors of teachers, Misses Wanda Nuhn and Wilma Wilkerson. We know you will be moved by Kaylee's story.

Last night (May 22, 2007) was the memorial service for one of our Good News Clubbers. Six-year-old Kaylee Jordan was killed suddenly when a basketball standard fell on her and the loose wire pierced her heart. She was playing in a vacant lot Thursday, May 17, when this happened. She died in her daddy's arms. She had just turned six.

Kaylee and her brother Michael have been regular members of the McGregor after school Good News Club. I (Wanda) had the joy of praying with both children as they have received the Lord; Michael in October, Kaylee much later. She came again for counseling April 16 to be sure that God meant what He said.

At the beautiful service at Temple Baptist her Sunday school teacher came to tell me that Kaylee recently said, "I just want you to know I have Jesus in my heart." The teacher's words were significant. She said, "I questioned her because we do not talk about salvation with 4-5 year olds unless they ask. But Kaylee insisted: 'Yes, I asked Him to come in. He forgave my sin.' " Because I had the privilege to tell the packed church Kaylee's story, the teacher now understood that she was telling it as it really is. Kaylee is with the Lord! Her Sunday school teacher was in tears. Oh, that teachers will learn to give the Gospel clearly to the little ones with an opportunity to receive Him.

Do pray for the Jordan family. They have big decisions to make. Kim, the mother, says she has to move. Kaylee is 'everywhere she looks.' She cannot stand it. Scotte and Kim Jordan were about to go their own ways, but God is holding them together right now. Isn't He marvelous?! Let's trust Him to make them a strong Christian family.

Michael is a very open, earnest nine-year-old. Two weeks before Kaylee died, Michael was working in his Wonder Devotional Book. He told me (Wanda) he wanted God to be his Decision Maker from now on. It is such a blessing to be a team. Wilma prays right through each GNC hour. Last night she met Michael. He is a very sincere boy in a torn up family. Thank you for praying for him.

We trust that you will lift the Jordan family up in prayer as they go through this difficult time of grieving. Pray especially for young Michael, that he would stay strong in the Lord.

What a special blessing to know that when children we have reached are taken in such a sudden way, they are with the Lord! Kaylee's story would make a wonderful illustration in classes such as Importance of Conversion, Reaching the Child in the Neighborhood, Bible Lesson Preparation and Presentation (on giving the invitation) or Importance of the Teacher. God will continue to use Kaylee's testimony and the faithfulness of her GNC teacher as we share her story with others.

We would also ask you to pray for Miss Wanda and Miss Wilma. These two dear saints are still fighting for the souls of children, both through prayer and in club ministry. How we praise God for such faithful servants! They have been role models for many of us in the training ministry. Both ladies have physical challenges that they deal with on a daily basis. They pray for all of us regularly. We know they would appreciate your prayers on their behalf.

Another Winner from Washington

Janet Walker, director for CEF Lower Columbia chapter in Washington, sent us an interesting testimony--about another IOT! One of the graduates of Janet's IOT Level 2 course was Ed Cavallo. Ed is the director of CEF Yakima Valley in Washington. Ed is also an IOT for Level 1. He was excited about the training he received for Level 2. Ed's writes the following testimony:

"WOW! I am amazed at how useful this class is to help me plan ways to encourage the saved child to walk "...worthy of the high calling in Christ." The instructors modeled what they taught and held us all to high standards. I highly recommend these instructors and this class to anyone interested in improving their effectiveness to the saved child." (The picture is of a buzz group in the IOT Level 2 course. That's Ed in the red vest on the left!)

We appreciate Ed's enthusiastic response to this course. We also appreciate his encouragement of his fellow IOTs. Sometimes after we've been teaching TCE courses for a while, it's easy to become quite impressed with our own teaching! But we all can learn much from each other. We know Ed will model for his own teachers what has been modeled for him. That's what it's all about--passing along the vision and skills God has given us and building them into the lives of others.

Thanks to both Ed and Janet for this encouraging testimony! And thanks to all of you who shared your words and pictures with us. We enjoyed reading them and hope you are enjoying those colorful soccer balls!

Maybe you're wishing you had sent in a testimony, too. Even though the contest is over, we would still be glad to get your testimony and post it here in the Cafe. Just send it, with a picture if possible, to Cheryl.Oetting@cefonline.com. Cheryl will keep them on file and we will post them from time to time on the blog. There will also be more contests to come, so stay tuned!

Some TCE Reminders!

Are you planning late summer and fall TCE courses? Now is the time to have them advertised in the Teach Kids! Magazine. TCE course information for the September/October issue is due by July 1. Send the beginning date of your course(s), location (city, state) and a contact telephone number to Cheryl Oetting at Cheryl.Oetting@cefonline.com, fax: 636-456-4435 or mail to Cheryl Oetting, CEF, department of education, PO Box 348, Warrenton MO 63383.

Have you held TCE courses this spring and early summer? Did you send in your Student Registration forms? Remember they are due immediately after the course begins.

Remember to register your TCE courses at least one week before they begin by emailing, faxing or mailing them in to the department of education. We need your course schedule also showing the instructors’ names for each class. If you don’t have a Course Registration Form you can get one by emailing Cheryl at Cheryl.Oetting@cefonline.com.

Have you evaluated any IOT candidates recently? Remember to send in their evaluation forms and Post Course Supervisor Report Forms as soon as possible so that the candidate can receive their credential.

Several IOTs have left questions asking for suggestions or helps in our guest book. When you do this it would be helpful if you give your email address so that others can contact you. And be sure to check the guest book each time you visit the Instructors’ Café. Read about others’ ministries and leave a note about what is happening in your chapter.

Trusting you all have a great weekend, and a Happy Fathers Day to all of you dads!

Winning Testimony from Washington

One of the winning entries in our blog contest came from IOT Joyce James, CEF Olympic Peninsula in Washington. Her TCE student, Vicki Keaton, has been a blessing to the children and to Joyce. Here is Joyce's testimony about Vicki:

In January 2005, Vicki Keaton committed herself to the thirty hours of TCE training. Vicki had experience as a Sunday School teacher of toddlers and preschool children many years ago when her daughter was a toddler. She determined to teach the children rather than babysit. She often wrote her own lessons.

When she took the TCE class, she began to understand how a small child can . . . be saved. During the class she realized the importance of giving each child that opportunity to accept Christ into his life in every lesson. Last year she used the TCE skills effectively and was able to lead her daughter’s nine year old foster son to the Lord.

I have seen Vicki be so burdened for the children’s souls that she gives her time, energy and gifts to serving the Lord in the public schools. This past year she has taught Good News Clubs at two public schools.

The impact of the TCE course has entirely changed how she lives her life now. Teaching Good News Clubs has replaced her and her husband’s retirement activities. Bill shares his wife’s love for the children and the Good News Clubs. Bill faithfully attends one club with Vicki and helps with needs as they happen in club.

Vicki has told me that the commitment of seven months of teaching has brought her closer to the Lord and to the most wonderful precious children that she refers to as her spiritual grandchildren as she has led several to the Lord. She carries each of them inside her heart and in her daily prayers. She also has sacrificed time, gifts, and energy to share at the county fairs at the CEF outreach tent. It has been my joy to see her use her gifts in reaching the children with the Gospel.

In fall 2006, another TCE class was taught at Vicki’s home church. She faithfully attended each class as hostess in addition to auditing the class again. She related to me that it reinforced her commitment of reaching the children as well as giving her more insights to the way children can understand the Gospel. Vicki also uses the CEF teaching methods as she is able to teach children’s church every second or third month. Two of her friends from church also took the TCE class in 2006 and have used the teaching in their own outreach to others including adults.

Vicki has been a blessing to this IOT teacher as I have seen her love for the Lord and for the biggest mission field in the world, the children. Her comment about the importance of TCE is “every person in every church should be required to take this course before teaching anyone the Gospel.” She participated in the refresher course with a new resolve, with new excitement and new determination to share the Good News to children in a new, effective and “approved unto God” way.

We are excited to see TCE grads like Vicki, who take their training and put it to use in a variety of ways to further the kingdom! Praise God for this lady as she continues to reach boys and girls in her area. Thank you, Joyce, for a great testimny and for your effective work as an IOT that is bearing such wonderful fruit!

A Winning Testimony from Louisiana

Kay Taylor, CEF director for West Central, Louisiana, sent in a testimony from TCE graduate, Charles Rogers, assistant pastor of Hosanna Baptist Church. We are excited about the passion this pastor has for reaching the children in his area. As you enjoy the following excerpt from Pastor Rogers’s testimony, please note things his instructors did that impacted him (does that sound like a focus question??).

“I have known several people involved with CEF who have benefited in their walk with Christ by participating in Back Yard Bible Clubs as children. My current senior pastor has had a several decade walk with CEF and through him I have seen the superior application of CEF in the work of evangelism at both the adult and child levels.

"TCE Level 1 training [presents] the clear and urgent needs that exist for children to develop a walk with Jesus Christ. It is this passionate urgency that dramatically helps adults to put aside fears and rise to the challenge of presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ to children.

"The material is simple, focused and clear. The reasons for each step of the process are well explained. Repetitive group teaching methods with group accountability and comment is a very effective format for teaching. Role playing for development of teaching skills is excellent for teaching and evaluating skills. Tool development and usage are enhanced by the examples taught by the training staff. They make it clear that one of their goals is for the participant to have success. Their patience and “war stories” are greatly appreciated.

"TCE Level 1 training was a must for me despite the fact that I have extensive seminary training in evangelism and have already identified our children’s evangelism coordinator. Our region has been without a director for a few years. Hosanna Baptist Church is the only active CEF church in our region, therefore, we will act as an interim regional director as we seek to get other churches involved in CEF."

Pastor Rogers and his church have a plan to develop Good News Clubs in several neighborhoods in their area. They are also making contacts for after school clubs in several locations. We praise God for pastors like Charles Rogers, who have a burden and vision to reach the children! May his tribe increase!

We also praise God for dedicated IOTs like Kay Taylor. Did you notice all the things she and her fellow instructors did that impacted this student? We noticed words like focused and clear, well explained, passionate urgency, enhanced by examples, patience and “their goal is for the participant to have success.” Wow! No wonder this TCE grad is so excited and motivated!

How are you doing in some of those areas in your TCE courses? Not every student will leave TCE as fired up as Pastor Rogers is, but that should be our goal as instructors. Great work, Kay! Hope you and the pastor get lots of use out of those colorful soccer balls!