Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Is God At Work Through Safe Families for Children Central Indiana?


Short answer: Yes

I know this might be a bit boring, but it provides a foundation for the answer.  We have measurable strategic objectives than enable us to see if we are on target with our SFFCCI efforts.  We want everyone involved being aware that this is the work of God in and through us verses us working on our own strength.

At the conclusion of each hosting experience, the host family receives an invitation to give feedback through an electronic survey.

The responses to the following two questions allow us to say “yes”.

One of the core values of Safe Families for Children is that volunteers are primarily recruited from faith institutions and their faith is a primary force driving their service. Was your faith a primary force in your decision to be a host family?

100% of the responses are “yes”.

As a Safe Families for Children host home, did you see God at work?

92% of the responses are “yes”, with the remaining “uncertain.”

In addition, we hear verbal reports, particularly at the weekly staff meeting, about how the staff and volunteers see God at work.  Some of these stories get back to you via Facebook.  (Just a short rabbit trail – TELL YOUR FRIENDS TO FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK)

We are mindful of need to constantly remind ourselves that God created SFFCCI, He is fueling the engine and He gets the glory for the results.  Ephesians 2:10 summarize it for me.  “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

If you want more details on any of this discussion, contact me.
Chuck Gross
President – Advisory Board
chuckgross@me.com

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Our Three Days with Chuck & Vivian



“I’m going to tell you all about my time and days with Vivian and Chuck.  It was fun to be with Vivian and Chuck.  We did a lot of fun things during are time with Chuck and Vivian.  We watched some movies on the big TV. We took Libby on a walk.  We played on the Wii.  We saw a frog and toad.”

“I had a lot of fun telling you about what we did with Chuck and Vivian.  I hope we get to see Chuck & Vivian.  I hope you enjoyed me telling you about the time I spent with Chuck and Vivian.”

“I loved that they where very, very, very nice.  They are funny and their house was very big.  They let us watch lots of movies.”

These are the words of two sisters, 4th & 5th graders who stayed with us for three nights while their mom got some rest.  This afternoon they will take the bus home instead of being picked up by us at their schools.  They were a delight to have in our home and it was fun getting up and taking them to their schools.  It was a blessing knowing that we were providing a loving service to the mom and her.  Our prayer is that this experience will be one they remember as different.  We tried to be the hands and feet of Jesus to them.  As you know, there was more to their stay than movies and T.V.  Finally, if you are not “in the game” of being the hands and feet of Jesus to the least of these, be stretched and “get in the game.”  You will be the winner.

Chuck & Vivian Gross
Proud Volunteers on a God Focused Team
9/2011

Monday, September 12, 2011

How will God play a role in your life now that you have been to Springhill Camp? - 18 Happy Campers Post #3

I now believe in God & know that God is with me
I need to pray more and ask for His help
I will rely on Him more, this is a better thing for me
I want to know more about God
I learned to put people up & not down. God made them beautiful
I did not change, my life will be the same
God will be in my life more
I will be happy, nicer and pray more
Because of my talks with the counselors about God, I am a better person
I will try to be nice and kind
I will  forgive more

This is the final of 3 posts about the kids that SFFCCI sent to camp during the summer of 2011.

Get more information and get involved with SFFCCI at www.safe-families.org

Chuck Gross - President Advisory Board