Losing My Heart to Teen MOPS

I've lost my heart to a group of girls. The opportunity to meet them presented itself in September and has continued on through this time. Let me describe the "average" girl at Teen MOPS (Mothers of Pre-schoolers).

She's 18 years old and is the mommy of a one-year old. She chose life for her baby even though people around her encouraged her differently. She's single, raising the child alone without any financial help or assistance from the father. She has family near by, but is living on her own. Currently she's in the Alt-Ed classes at her high school, working to get her diploma. She'd love to go on to college, but doesn't know that she'll be able to with a child and needing to work, but the hope is there. She works a minimum wage job, and receives aid from the government to help with food, her apartment, and day care. Life can get incredibly lonely and overwhelming when you're 17, a mommy, and on your own.

The girl described above is a composite of our girls. But each girl in our Teen MOPS program is unique. They range in age from 16 to 24. Some girls have just the one baby, while others have two, three, or four. Some are married, some are single, some are engaged, some are dating. Girls live at home with their parents or grandparents, live alone, or live with their husbands or boyfriends. Some girls have dropped out of school, or are in regular high school or the Alt-Ed classes. Some girls are taking college classes or vo-tech classes. Many, many, many of our girls, however, have received their high school diploma, which is a big feat (and cause for celebration!) when you're raising babies.  All of them, without exception, are truly heroic in that they chose to give life to their precious babies. All of them, again without exception, deal with difficult choices every day as they struggle being young moms. But, all of them -- and I mean ALL of them -- love visiting with other moms who are going through the same stage of life. They love to make the different crafts that we do ... they love to play the silly games that we play ... they love shopping in our Mommy Mart ... and they love visiting with other girls. They laugh and giggle ... share wisdom with each other ... tell stories of sick babies, poopy diapers, paying bills, and listen to others tell their stories as well.

And I love them. I seriously love them all. I love their bravery and their determination. I love their hearts to learn and grow. I love their openness and honesty. I love their hugs and the opportunity to hold their precious babies. I love praying for them and praying with them. I love the fact that each one wants to be the best mommy she can be.

People have told me that I'm doing a wonderful thing (ministering to these girls) and honestly, that just cracks me up whenever I hear it. In reality, it's the other way around. My Teen MOPS girls have opened and expanded my heart. They've blessed me beyond belief and showed me that it IS possible to love people that I've just met. My life will never be the same after meeting them ...

And, if you're one of my Teen MOPS girls ... and you've managed to get all the way to the end of the blog ... know that it's YOU I'm talking about. I love you!!

If you're not one of the Teen MOPS girls, you're missing out on a blessing, let me tell you! But you can be a part of our group, even if you live far away. Just continue to pray for them as they continue on this path of life. Pray for their strength and stamina, pray for their growth and maturity, pray for their joy in trying circumstances, pray that they'll come to know Jesus as their Lord, Provider, and Comforter.

Losing my heart has never been so wonderful ...

Drinking From a Fire Hydrant

Our ministry with teen moms is growing at an explosive rate!! At our first meeting, we had one girl and her son. At our second meeting, we had one girl (a different one -- the "first" mommy had a sick baby) and her daughter. At our third meeting, there were 21 people and 16 children! This next week will be our 4th meeting, and already we've heard from 11 new moms who want to attend ... and 10 new babies to add to our roster.

It's overwhelming. It's frightening. It's incredible. And our ministry has only been in existence for three weeks.

What is God teaching? He's reinforcing with me that ...

* ... He will NEVER call me to do something that He doesn't provide the ways to do it. If He's bringing girls, He'll provide the leaders needed to minister. If He's bringing babies, He'll provide the people needed for childcare. If we're feeding the girls, He'll not only provide the food but will multiply it like the loaves and fishes. If we're needing $$, He'll send the donations. He'll show us the details that need to be noticed ... the organization that needs to be done ... the things that need to be said. God is our Coordinator. And He has done that ... all of that ...

* ... His heart yearns for these precious mommies and babies. He wants to be their sufficiency, the One Who provides for their needs, the One Who loves them. And until they come in to a personal relationship with them, He'll continue to court them through my hands and feet and service. What an incredible blessing!! Plus, when I give myself to the One Who loves them the most, His love flows in and through me. How is it possible to already be in love with girls and babies that you just meet? But it's true ...

* ... I belong to a body of people who want to be a part of serving and loving. We've seen people donate items for our Mommy Mart store, they've given monetary donations, they're sending food, they're rocking babies, they're praying. Many of these people will NEVER meet a single one of the teen moms, but they've become a vital and important part of our ministry "behind the scenes". They're loving these girls without expecting anything in return, just as Jesus does. Without them -- the Body of Christ -- our ministry would be nothing. It takes ALL of us ...

* ... He is the God of abundance. We prayed for an open door, and God flung open the doors ... and windows ... and took the roof off! We prayed for a few girls and God is sending us many. Then, we prayed for a few childcare workers to help, and again God sent us many. Basically, we asked for a drink of water, and God opened a fire hydrant for us to drink from. Our dreams are no where near what God can do, and He's showing us that every single day. Every time a new girl calls about attending ... every sack of items that we receive from a donor ... every new person who inquires about helping with childcare. God's grace overflows ...

I have to be honest. There are times that doubt and fear raise their ugly heads in my mind. People have already told us we need to limit our numbers and turn girls away. Some have said we don't have room or that these girls will hurt us and drain us dry. Can we seriously do this ministry? Are we without limits? Willl this be a ministry without pain? And the answer is a big, fat NO. We can't do this. We are limited. It's going to hurt at times. However, we serve a God Who can do all things, is without limits, and Who has a plan. God is working here in Yukon, USA. We just need to be willing to step out to where He calls us -- where we feel unsure and unprepared, because that's where He will show us His greatest miracles. That's where He'll show us Himself, and our teen moms will see Him for themselves.