answered prayer - Expanded territory

ANSWERED PRAYER...
EXPANDED TERRITORY!
Lorie Goggin

Whew!  If you have liked our Facebook page you have no doubt seen the flurry of activity that has been happening with the teens at Reset Mentoring.  You might have noticed teens in uniforms and the walls of the Williamson County Juvenile Justice Center.  What you might not know is that the access we have been granted is unprecedented, or that it is an answer to over six months of serious prayer.  We prayed that God would provide a way for us to mentor ALL the teens in long term custody (CORE) with Williamson County Juvenile Services.  
When I read Psalms 2:8, “Only ASK and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the WHOLE earth as your possession,” something stirred and the prayers began. Here we are in May, five months later, and all but one thing listed on my prayer note card has happened (Teen Center).  And, we are believing that the last one will come to pass soon!

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Learning to Serve
 
Christian Brothers Automotive in Round Rock provided CORE teens with an amazing opportunity at the beginning of the month.  We picked up the teens from the Juvenile Justice Center in Georgetown and drove them to Round Rock so they could learn from an A-1 Master Mechanic how to do basic car maintenance -- check fluids, change the oil, and fix a flat tire.  The teens LOVED it!  Even the girls got involved as they were taught ‘tricks’ to help them lift the tire into place so they wouldn’t be stranded on the side of the road unable to change a tire.

After the class, we went to eat and spent an hour just breaking bread and getting to know the teens better.  That’s when we let them know that the class was a preparation class.  You see in just two short weeks the same teens would gather again to use what they learned to bless other people.  Celebration Church hosts a Single Moms and Military Wives Oil Change each year, and this year we had seven teens from inside the Juvenile Justice Center volunteer their time and talent to help. 

While three of our girls helped paint the nails of over 400 single moms, our boys stood outside in the heat and rain for over seven hours changing the oil for all those moms.  They were surrounded by men and women who give back and love God.  We received so many compliments about their hard work and behavior and the teens reported feeling so proud of themselves and good for helping others.  ​

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RECONNECTING
 
When teens are in trouble, oftentimes they have become disconnected from their families.  In May Reset Mentoring created an opportunity for teens and parents to reconnect.  It was the kick off to our summer series of parent/teen events.  CJ’s Catering served some delicious food and our mentors set up games for the teens and parents to play together.  It was good to see them laugh and be kids again.  Joel 2:25 states, “I will restore to you the years that the locust have eaten….” These parent/teen dinners and training classes will provide time during which parents and teens can just enjoy each other’s company as they rebuild after years of pain and heartache.  

One of our mentors indicated, “Definitely a privilege to get to see these families and teens spend the evening together. By far one of my most favorite... ❤"

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THE NUMBERS
 
We could go on and on about all that God is doing with Reset Mentoring in the lives of teens.  But maybe a few statistics will show what impact your support has had on the lives of teens just this year!
45 teens inside the Williamson County Juvenile Justice Center attending church regularly and are growing in faith in 2017
139 hours in church services in 2017
296 hours other than church services spent with teens inside the Juvenile Justice Center in May
182 volunteer hours (not including mentors) in 2017
75 teens attending life skills classes, teen nights,
and mentoring in 2017
4 baptisms in 2017
12 attending 3-day conference in 2017
1 obtaining driver’s license      
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GREATEST NEEDS/PRAYER REQUESTS

*Male Mentors (for boys both inside and outside the Juvenile Justice Center)*
*Teen Center (property in Round Rock)*
*Teen Center Items:  sodas, water, paper goods*
*people willing provide meals for teen nights and other activities*
*Monthly Sponsors to help fund the life skills classes, mentor TRAINING'S, and all God would have us do*