Family Christmas

This is all my family that gathered on Dec. 28 for the Jayne family Christmas. There are 4 generations in this photo. Mom and Dad are in front with some of their great grandchildren. There are several who are not in this photo - so if all of my siblings, their spouses and children were there, we would be about 75 people.

It was great to see everyone again. Bethany did a great job getting everybody set and ready for the shot to be taken.

Family sure is a blessing from God.

December 15 - almost two months since I have posted. Well, life gets busy and this gets put on the back burner.

God is good. At the beginning of December, we had no money for Christmas gifts and had two vehicles needing repairs. Since then, God has provided adequate Christmas gifts from our supporting churches not only for Christmas, but for car repairs as well. Thank you all.

We have had one salvation in the Grand River Club and one in the Sheridan Rd. Club. Keeping praying because Satan is attacking and keeping these children from coming to club on a regular basis so that they can grow and learn more about their new life in Christ. Jesus promises that His Holy Spirit will keep them despite opposition froms parents, other programs the children can be involved in, and our shortcomings in teaching them.

Philip is working again at Auto Value. He just finished another semester at LCC, and is looking forward to more automotive classes for his bachelors in Automotive Engineering Technology from Lawrence Tech. He can do most of the work at LCC.

Bethany is working at the daycare still, and finishing her photography classes - two left - but she can only take one per semester.

Joanna is looking forward to graduation in May, HSMA tour, and such. She will be taking an Oral Communications class at LCC this next semester.

Doug and I continue to be busy with all our responsibilities - CEF, Church, music, etc.

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Updates

Time seems to go by so quickly and many things happen that I just forget to write on this blog. Here is what has happened since I wrote last. The biggest thing is that Philip is not working at Attac Race Cars any more. They told him he has a great work ethic and does a good job on his drawings when he can take several days to to them, but they want him to be able to do the drawings in hours, not days. They thought he had more experience and training than what he actually does. Even though he is taking the last class for his associates degree, three of the drafting classes required for this kept getting canceled, so LCC finally waived the classes. He got the credit for them but not the training and these were the classes that would have helped him in this particular job. They did leave the door open for him to come back to the company. While he worked there he learned many things about deadlines, proficiency, and teamwork. He is waiting on the results of his drug test to be re-hired at Auto Value just a mile from our house. God has a plan. Please pray that Philip would seek God's face for what he needs to do next.

Bethany continues to work at the Daycare, not quite full-time but more hours than before. She has only one class that meets 2 times a week this semester. Church activities, work, violin practice, and HSMA keep her busy.

Joanna is doing very well in her school work this semester. She is working to improve her English skills so that she can take a class at LCC next semester.

I am kept busy with my responsibilities at CEF, church, HSMA, and with my music students. On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, I teach Good News Clubs - at Grand River School and at Sheridan Rd. School. These clubs are great fun to teach this year. The kids are awesome. Last week was the story of Naboth's Vineyard. When I made the connection between Naboth's innocence yet was killed, to Jesus' innocence, yet he was killed because we were quilty, one girl exclaimed, "I don't want to be guilty". I explained to her that if you know Jesus as your Savior, God sees Jesus in you and declares you NOT GUILTY! Many of the children in club said, "That is AWESOME!" Yes, indeed it is.

Doug is busy with his responsibilites at the State Office and church. He helps me in the GNC at Sheridan Rd. on Thursdays. Right now he is working on building shelves for Joanna and a shelf for a TV.

There are no pictures to post again this time, but hopefully next time, I will have some of clubs.

Fall Happenings

5-Day Clubs are over, fall ministries are beginning. Here is a short synopsis of a typical Hammar family week.

Philip works Monday - Friday (some Saturdays) 8:00 - 4:30 or so, then class four nights a week.
Bethany has school Monday and Wednesday mornings, then work from 12:00 (or 1:30 on M & W) till 6:00. Monday nights she plays with the HOmeschool Music Association Senior Orchestra as an adult participant, Tuesdays is handbell choir at church, Wednesday - is church, Thursday is her violin lesson after work.

Joanna is doing her school work each day. Monday night is HSMA where she plays clarinet in the Symphonic Band, Wednesday night is church. She hopes to be working somewhere very soon. She is diligently filling out applications and calling on her applications.

Doug is at the CEF of Michigan office Monday - Friday 9:00 - 4:00. Wednesday night is church, Thursday night is TCE 1 and sometimes Deacons meetings.

Maryann works at the Capital ARea CEF office on MOndays and Fridays. Monday afternoons in the weekly Teacher Training Class. Monday night I direct the Cadet Band for HSMA. Tuesday morning I give music lessons. In the afternoon will be Good News Club at the Grand River School. Wednesday is a stay at home day, except for when I go teach chapel at Livingston Christian School (once a month) and teach CEF class for their Jr. and Sr. high students (once a month). Thursday is more music lessons, then GNC at Sheridan Rd School, and TCE 2 starting in Oct.

We are all very busy. It is a challenge at times to arrange transportation for everyone to be where they need to be, when they need to be there. We would appreciate your prayers for us.

Marcus Dibble, a young man who has been staying with us, works at the Meijer warehouse here in Lansing usually Monday - Saturday 10:30 am to whenever. Sometimes it is 12:00 midnight when he gets home. He will soon be moving to another place where he has more freedom to come and go as he places and have room to keep out all of his stuff.

Pray for Joanna to get a job that works well with her schedule.

Pray for CEF as we work to reach the children with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thank you.

End of Summer

This is the last week of clubs in the Lansing Area. Joanna is teaching two clubs this week.


I won't write alot of details because our newsletter is coming out soon. But one great highlight for us this summer was taking James, Jabez, and Andrew to two weeks of clubs that we taught.

James and Jabez have attended the Good News Club at Sheridan Rd. Elementary school for the past two years. Most of the time, they have been very difficult to handle in GNC. AT the churches were we had the 5-Day Clubs, however, they were very good. On the way home on Wednesday of the second week, Jabez was talking about wanting to be a movie star. He asked if they made lots of money. I said that some do, but some have to get other jobs while waiting to be discovered. He decided he would pray to God to help him be a good movie star. We suggested to him that he should pray to God to be what God wanted Him to be and to do. Without hesitation he said, "Like Hudson Taylor". He had been listening to the story of Hudson who started China Inland Mission. Hudson's life was one of prayer and submitting to God's authority and will for his life. We praised God that Jabez was listening and learning to apply the truths that he has learned.

Much work is being done to get ready for fall GNC's and trainings. In Capital Area we have the weekly Good News Club training class, then Teaching Children Effectively 1 and 2, then a specialized training once a month for the Jr. & Sr. High students at Livingston Christian School.

I will again be busy with HSMA conducting the Cadet Band, teaching 10 or 11 private students, working with Joanna and her schooling, then directing the choir at church.

Your prayers for us are greatly appreciated and needed.

Philip is working now at Attac Race Cars in Charlotte. They design and build parts of drag race cars. Here is a picture of a part that was made from Philip's drawing he did. He is working 8:00 am - 6:00 pm and sometimes later. Thursday, he begins classes at LCC, so he will be very busy.

Disappointments and Praises

For most of you who are on our email list, you know our week was disappointing because no children came to our 5-Day Club. We invited the children, we saw them playing outside right up until time for club, then they would all disappear.

I think Satan has a stronghold on this neighborhood because of the "Lighthouse Chapel" across the street from us. This used to be a Salvation Army Church, but about 10 years ago, they sold the building to the group that is in it now. They worship angels, stars, and many other things; they have seances and psychic fairs.

Please pray for us to be lights in our neighborhood.

The praises - Philip has his first job in his field of study - computer-aided drafting. He is working for Attack Race Cars - a shop that builds drag race cars for one racer. He will be drawing the smaller parts used to build up the car. Not only will he work full time, but after three months, he will receive health benefits! they are willing to work around his schooling. But the best thing of all is that his boss attends a good church in Charlotte and so the work environment will be nice.

JOanna is teaching clubs in Hesperia this week (near Newaygo/Fremont area). Pray for her as she teaches four clubs a day. Next week, she will be teaching clubs in Laingsburg - a little closer to home but still staying with others for the week. The following week, she is in Wayne County (Detroit area!)

Bethany won't have any clubs to teach this coming week, so will mainly work at the daycare.

Doug has jury duty this week in Mason, so the car juggling will be interesting.

I hope to get some pictures of clubs up soon.

End of club

Today was day 5 of the 5-Day Club I taught here in Lansing. There were 13 children enrolled, all but 3 were from Tanzania. All week long I have been praying that God would help me relate the truth of His Word to the children. Although none of the children responded to the invitation, that I know of, several of the children said today that they do believe in Jesus as their Savior. Whether they made that decision in club or at another time, I do not know but God does. Some of the children did say they attended church in Tanzania.

I found a "chick" tract in Swahili on-line that I printed and copied for the children, and John 3:16 in Swahili. I trust that these two items will further explain the gospel and the boys and girls will come to know Jesus as Savior if they don't already know Him.

I thank God that I was able to teach this club this week.

5-Day Clubs

This week, both Bethany and Joanna are teaching 2 clubs each, and I am teaching one club. In the club I teach at 3:00 most of the children are from Tanzania and speak Swahili. Our missionary project is raising money for a car for Kathy Gleckler who is a CEF missionary to East and Central Africa of which Tanzania is a part. In fact, they had their first CYIA in Tanzania last year to train young people in that country to teach clubs. We have a song in Swahili that we use when we teach about Kathy. The children in my club love that song because it is in their native language. So, I dug through my tubs of CEF materials and found two more Swahili songs to use today in club.

Please pray for me that I can know how to relate the truths of the Word of God to these children in a way they will understand. They have been in the Lansing school district for a year so do know English and can read it, but I am not sure how much understanding they have. They do not know what "sin" is, so I went on the internet and found the swahili word for it - kosa. To say "we sin" is tunakosa.

Hopefully, by the end of the week, I will have a picture to share with you.

Summer ministry

This week we did not have 5-Day Clubs scheduled because of the holiday, but we did take the young people who went to CYIA and SMA on open air, sharing the Wordless Book with children that we met on the streets. Many children or their parents did not want to listen to the story, but 17 people did (14 children and 3 adults) and 7 prayed to recieve Christ as their Savior.

Next week we start clubs, although there are only 5 scheduled. Bethany, Joanna and I will each be teaching in separate clubs, using others who went to training. Our schedule will be interesting, but now, one of our vehicles needs exhaust repairs - that if we had the problem area replaced would be $1000 (for a car that may be worth $2000.) We are hoping to get a cobble job done that would be considerable less $.

Looking ahead - Joanna will be teaching clubs for Shoreline CEF (Ludington, Newaygo area) the week of July 21, then in Capital Area - in Laingsburg- July 28, and in Detroit the week of Aug. 4.

Bethany will teach morning clubs, then work at the daycare in the afternoons.

Philip and Bethany are trying to get their fall schedule figured out. Please pray for them. Bethany needs three classes to complete her course of study but may need to take each one separately. Pray that she can take at least two of the classes concurrently, so then she can be done in two semesters.

Philip has one class left for his associates and is applying to Laurence Tech for his Bachelors, but can do most of the work at LCC. He has an appointment with an advisor next Thursday.

Joanna and I are in the process of planning her Senior Year of High School.

Doug continues to work at the State Office doing his duties as Director of Administration.

We would like to get up to Tustin/Cadillac area sometime this summer. Please pray that we can figure out when, where we would stay, and have the $ for gas.

Thanks.

Maryann

CYIA and SMA

Doug, Bethany, Joanna were at Christian Youth In Action Training for two weeks. Doug and Bethany were staff, Joanna a student. I was there the first week, then went to SMA the second week. Here, Doug and I are teaching Bible Lesson Preparation and Presentation, helping the students to know and understand the process of preparing the Bible Lesson.




















Kathy Gleckler and Lucy Wanjohi - from Kenya, East Africa. Kathy has been a CEF missionary there for almost 30 years and directs the education for CEF of East and Central Africa. She is the featured missionary in the 5-Day Clubs this summer. The students raised over $1200 to buy her a new laptop. The monies the children bring during 5-Day Club will go to help Kathy get another car. Lucy is the director of Education for CEF of Kenya. She was able to come and observe our CYIA program, then perhaps implement some of the things we do into the CYIA program in Kenya and surrounding countries.







Joanna celebrated her 17th birthday while at CYIA. She had 42 other students to help her celebrate. I think we made the day enjoyable for her. On Open air that day, the Lord used her to bring 2 children to Himself.







The picture below is of 1/2 of the students taking a test that covered the information they learned in Wordless Book class, Counseling a Child for Salvation, and Bible Lesson class. If they knew there verses they needed to memorize, they did well on the test.
The most important part of CYIA is the study groups. Staff are assigned a group of 3-4 students to work with them, evaluate their lessons, and encourage them throughout the two weeks. Below are several pictures of CYIA study groups.









Students are working on outlining their Bible Lesson for the day. Then they practice outloud telling the story. In one day, they see the lesson demonstrated, outline the story from Scripture and the script, practice, and tell the lesson for evaluation.





At SMA, the students learn to the Wordless Book, how to teach songs, memory verses, and the missionary story in a 5-Day Club. They also are taught how to counsel a child for salvation. In one week, there are 9 evaluations that need to be done.

This is the hallway in the Academic building when all of our classes were held.

The SMA office was in the same hallway.




The students had many classes - several times they were in classes together, but most classes were in smaller classes, then in smaller study groups where they practiced their missionary story, songs, verses, and wordless book.

Thanks for praying for us while we were at training.

At training

It has been awhile since I updated this, so here we go.

This is the second week of CYIA training. Doug, Bethany, Joanna, and I were all there the first week. I am now at SMA; Doug, Bethany, and Joanna are at CYIA. Bethany is student staff and is working with three students this week. Doug has a study group of four young men - two teams teaching 5-Day Clubs this week. Joanna has been paired with a young lady that has really struggled at CYIA. Joanna will have to carry most of the weight of the club.

There are 43 students at CYIA and 40 at SMA.

Philip has been home sick - unable to go to work.

We have four more days of training than we will be heading home. It will nice to be together as a family again.

A new week

This past week seems like it went by very fast. The biggest thing that happened is that we got rid of our big red van and bought a mini-van - a Dodge Grand Caravan. It is silver. My brother, Kevin, told us about dealer we bought it from. We put new tires on it, it needs a new EGR valve, and needs new front breaks, but we will still come out less then the maximum we thought we could spend on another vehicle. God provided the money so we could pay cash for it. I am thankful that God gave Doug the ability to save and budget (sometimes it is a hassle) so that we don't have to go into debt to buy things like another vehicle.

JOanna should finish her school work this week, then she'll have two weeks before CYIA training begins. Bethany continues to work at the daycare. It looks she will get extra hours to make up for some of the hours she is taking off to go to Cedar Point and CYIA training. Philip is still waiting to hear about the job interview he had.

Doug and I are preparing for CYIA training - we are teaching the Bible Lesson classes this year so there is alot to get ready. I am also using the same Bible Lesson notes at SMA for our second year students.

Sherry Harris, our pastor's wife, goes to U of M on Friday for a second opinion concerning her brain tumor. Please continue to pray for her.

There is another family in our church that just recently lost a sister-in-law (Aunt to the kids) from cancer, and just this past week, the father (and grandpa) died after having a brain aneurism. ONe daughter, Danielle, is about 14 and having a very difficult time with these deaths. She has other struggles already, but this just adds to her rebellion and anger at God. Please pray for Danielle.

I think that about updates you on the Hammar Family. Thanks for your prayers for us.

A long week

This has been a long week. I have been sick for a couple of days - but am feeling better today. Our pastor's wife, Sherry, found out she has a malignant mass on her brain. They will find out more on Monday.

Today was the Homeschool Music Association Spring Concert for Beginning Strings, Beginning Band, Cadet Band (the one I conduct), Intermediate Strings, elementary Music, Concert Choir, Concert Band, and Jr. Orchestra. My band played very well today - I was so proud of them. Monday I found out that my student clarinet player wasn't going to be at the concert, so I asked Joanna to play with us. She did a great job.

Monday night the Symphonic Band, Senior Orchestra, Chancel Choir, and combined groups will have their Spring Concert at Holt High School - 7:00 pm.

Philip has a little contact with Zach but isn't "hanging out" with him like he used to. That is a good move on Philip's part, but he needs other friends to hang out with. As for his cold/bronchitis - he seems to be getting better slowly.

I just want to say - I praise God for my children. They all have a strong faith in Jesus Christ and a firm commitment to live for Him. They each are at different levels in that process, but are learning each day how to trust God for things.

Pray for Bethany and Joanna as they prepare for CYIA and for teaching the children this summer.

Home from Conference

We arrived home from the CEF International Conference at about 3:15 pm on Tuesday, May 6. We had a great time seeing family, friends, and being enriched from God's Word.

I will attach pictures once I download them onto my computer.

We left Monday night at 9:30 pm and drove all night to Kings Mountain, NC where my oldest sister and her husband live. We arrived there at about 2:30 pm then got right back in the car to

go to Charlotte, NC to the Billy Graham Library. The first picture was the house Billy grew up in. In the middle is the entrance to the Billy Graham Library. The last picture is inside, where Billy's story begins, as a farm boy.

Wednesday morning we went to Charlotte again to have lunch with my niece, Becky, and her husband, then left for Ridgecrest Conference Center for the CEF Conference. First is Deb and Sam, then Becky and Craig. The last picture is at a restaurant in Charlotte, NC where the appetizer is peanuts and they let you throw the shells on the floor.

Some of the highlights were: This Hope providing special music, Dr. Walt Kaiser as Bible speaker, workshops for CEF workers, Kimber Kaufmann (brother of CEF President, Reese Kaufman) preaching on personal repentance, The choir and orchestra from a church in Statesville, NC, Children of the World concert, seeing friends and fellow CEF workers from all over the world - Africa, Korea, Canada, US, Mexico, Ireland, etc. Doug and I were also recognized for 25 years of service with CEF.

The first picture here is of the choir and orchestra from the church in Statesville. Next is Tom and Evlyn Bump - State Director in Delaware. They used to be in Michigan and Tom was the Director of our SMA program. Next is the Children of the World Choir. Finally, just a bit of scenery on the grounds of Ridgecrest.

On Saturday, we visited friends we knew from Detroit who now live in Canton, NC. We were able to spend the afternoon with them.

We left Ridgecrest Monday morning at about 8:00 am and arrived in Springfield, OH where we stayed with some other friends we knew from Detroit, then traveled the rest of the way home today.

Philip and Bethany did well at home while we were gone, and Joanna stayed with a friend, and did well.

We are glad to be home.

Thanks for your prayers.

Getting Ready

Today is our getting ready day - ready to head to North Carolina for the CEF International Conference. Our plan is to leave after my HSMA band rehearsel tonight, drive to Kings Mt., NC to see my sister, Deb, and her husband. We will spend the night there (Tuesday), have brunch with my niece and her husband who live in Charlotte, then head to Asheville, NC Wednesday afternoon. We plan to do laundry, pack, plan, and rest before we leave tonight.

At this conference, there will be CEF workers from around the world. We will challenged, refreshed, and encouraged as we listen to the speakers, attend workshops, and fellowship with other CEF workers. It is always a great time.

While we are gone, Philip and Bethany will be at home - as they both have classes to attend at LCC and jobs to go to. Joanna is staying with a friend here in Lansing who is also homeschooled and participates in many of the activities Joanna does.

On our way home from the conference, we will be staying the Bob and Linda Seever, friends from Detroit who moved to Springfield, OH to work with CEF, although they have not been involved in the work for many years. We will arrive home sometime Tuesday, May 6.

Thursday, April 25

Today we had Good News Club at Grand River School. Only three children were there, but they are good kids and really don't know alot about the Bible.

Monday night after my band rehearsel, we are leaving for North Carolina to see my sister and to attend a CEF conference. Philip and Bethany are staying home for the week. Joanna is staying at a friends house while we are gone.

God worked it out so that we could rent a car for the trip rather than take the big van that would cost mega bucks for the gas.

I guess that is all I have right now.

Here is a picture of the Good News Club kids at Sheridan Rd. Elementary School. We taught that club all year but it ended April 3.

April 22, 2008

We are still revelling in the wonderful weekend we had. Our family attended this particular church in Lincoln Park for about 3 years. When we left, Joanna was only 3 years old.

Now, Joanna is 16, Bethany is 19, and Philip is 21.

What's next for us? Well, Thursday Doug and I teach a Good News Club at Grand River Elementary school and Joanna helps at a club at Gier Park Elementary school, both in Lansing. Philip and Bethany are almost finished with their semester of classes, and both are working part-time. Saturday, Joanna has State Band Festival, and one of my nephews is getting married. MOnday evening, after band, Doug and I will be leaving for North Carolina. We will drive all night, arrive at my sister's house in Kings Mt., NC mid-day on Tuesday and spend the night with her, then travel on to Asheville, to Ridgecrest Conference center for a CEF International Conference. Monday, May 5, we will start home, spending the night with friends from Detroit who now live in Springfield, OH. Joanna will be staying with a friend that is also homeschooled. Bethany and Philip will stay home so they can go to school and work.

Please pray for Philip and Bethany. This time of year is stressful for all college students, as they finish up the school year. Both have many things to complete before the end of the semester. Both are struggling with issues with close friends.

Thanks.

Our missions conference is done. What a wonderful time of seeing old friends and making new ones. We have several opportunities to share what God is doing in CEF, in our State and in our family. We witnessed an 18 year old woman committ her life to Christ to be a missionary, if that is what God wants for her and saw God bring in over $1800 in one offering so she could go on a missions trip to Hawaii with the church.

Right now, Doug and I are preparing for a missions conference in Lincoln Park, MI this weekend. I am working on a powerpoint presentation that represents 25 years of ministry. Doug started working with CEF in 1983 as an intern in Detroit, working under John Heron. This is our first house that God provided for us. We lived there for 10 years for $125 a month! We moved from there to this larger house on Detroit's East Side in 1994.

Still renting, our landlord was John Heron, so our rent was a higher but very workable for us. We lived here for 6 years - ministering to the children in the neighborhood through Good News Clubs, 5-Day Clubs and an open back yard.

Can you spot Phil, Bethany, and Joanna? Not to difficult.

Doug became the Director of Metro CEF I think in 1992 when John Heron retired.

In 2000, we left Detroit because God was calling us to Tustin to care for Doug's parents. Our first house there was owned by friends that hadn't been able to sell the house. So, again, we rented with the thought of buying the house. We were in the house for about 4 months when we realized we were not the only residents. Bats also enjoyed the spacious home. We did not like cohabiting with them, but you can't exterminate them, so we tried to live with them for about 3 years. Not a very fun thing to do. When Doug's mom passed away in 2003, Dad was still in the nursing home so Doug inherited their home, so we painted, carpeted, wallpapered and moved in in October of 2003.