Indiana
Kelly Isaacs, District Director
There is more than corn in Indiana! Indiana Girls Ministries is full of beautiful girls desiring to be a bright light in a dark world. The goal of the sponsors is to raise healthy, spiritually strong girls so we won't have to fix broken women. Indiana offers Girls Retreat in June, Powette (tent camping) in August, Field Day (September), Leaders Training in October, and Funatics (Indiana slumber party) in March. We are raising money for Missions through Coins for Kids and Indiana Missions. We believe God can call and use girls right now and in the future.
In June, we had an awesome Girls Retreat with the theme "Wanted" based on the Scripture 1 Peter 2:9 "We are a chosen people...to shine forth the praises of Him." Sarah Bosic challenged the girls in her message, "Wanted, Take All of Me." Girls came to the altar and stuck to the Cross things that were standing in their way of giving all of themselves to God. Todays little girls are dealing with things that adults struggle with: abuse, abandonment, and self worth. That weekend not only touched the girls, but the leaders dealt with many issues that were holding them back as well.
I stood and watched in amazement as a little girl named Betsy was writing on her paper with the aid of her nurse. Betsy is one of the Honor Stars that was crowned that weekend. She draws people in without a word. Betsy is living with a severe handicap, though she won't let that stop her. She has a muscular disorder - none of her muscles work on their own (lungs, heart, limbs, etc). She is completely dependant on her machines and is highly susceptible to infections, Cindy Alcorn her Stars sponsor shares. Betsy has two full-time nurses. As I stood watching, her nurse was helping Betsy hold her paper and write what was standing between her and God. I couldn't comprehend how this precious child could have anything in her way.
Betsy wanted to attend church for quite a while, but because of the need for full-time care, it wasn't feasible. That didn't stop Betsy. She finally got her wish and they brought her one Wednesday night. Because she received such a warm welcome in Stars club, she has attended ever since for the last two and half years.
This year, at Girls Retreat, Betsy became an Honor Star. We built a ramp for her so she could be on the platform with her Honor Star class of 2009. All I could think is this little girl has influenced more people for Jesus than most have done with complete use of their body. What is our excuse? Because of Betsy's love for life and others and her desire not to let anything hold her back. Betsy is changing people's lives through her desire to let God have "All of me." May Betsy inspire me not to take for granted all I am blessed with!