Katrina, second from left, is a freshman at Timber Creek High School here in Orlando and is involved in Student Venture. Last month she attended our annual FastBreak conference and wrote about her experience. Her full story has been edited down for space.

“One of the things that has changed how I act at school and what I do there, is the amazing opportunity I had to go out and share my faith. We went door-to-door collecting cans of nonperishable food items for the Second Hand Food Bank. Then, we would started conversations using a short survey on things related to church and God.

“Every time I have ever done this, the results were mostly “No thank you” or “I’m already a Christian.” So, going into this outreach, my attitude was very indifferent and I knew nothing would happen.

“I went out with three other people. We approached a house and Shaylyn, a senior in high school, answered the door. She donated a bag full of cans and immediately she was very welcoming and we jumped into a conversation.

“Together, we read through the Connecting with God booklet, which explains the gospel. Right from the start she was very interested in what I had to say and she opened up about her story. She was so amazed by the fact that God sent Jesus Christ to die for her, and saved her from all her sins. She was in awe that she was created with value and worth.

“After talking with Shaylyn for about forty-five minutes we got to the fourth point in the book. At the bottom of the page there is a picture of two circles. The first circle shows self is on the throne and Christ is outside the life and the second circle shows Christ is on the throne and self is yielding to Christ. I asked Shaylyn which circle best represents her life. She said, ‘Most definitely the first circle.’ Then I asked, “Well, which circle would you like to have represent your life?” And she replied by saying, ‘Definitely the second!!’

“She was really excited to begin her relationship with God. Right then, she prayed the prayer along with me. As I was praying with her, a smile came across my face. It was like God saying, ‘Katrina, my daughter, I am so much more powerful than you think I am.’ Right then I realized that it’s not through my own strength that I can reach people, but through God’s, and God’s alone
“Since then, I have been taking opportunities during lunch to talk to people who are eating by themselves. Or passing by people in the hallway, even if I don’t know them, and asking them how there day is going. Or telling the administrators how much I appreciate what they do. I don’t do these things as good deeds or to make myself known. But I do it simply to give all the glory to God, and to show people the everlasting love, joy, and peace I have found in my Father, Savior, and Best Friend, Jesus Christ. My purpose, even if I am an everyday, 14-year-old girl, is to be the salt and the light in this lost, dark world!”

Family Stuff

• Pray for God’s provision of our monthly financial support need.
• UPDATE: After two roofers unable to determine the problem, Greg was able to find the source of the leak and reapir it himself.
• On February 4, Ethan told Kristie that he wanted to be Jesus’ friend forever! Kristie and Ethan prayed together and he began New Life in Christ.
• While his vision is 20/20, Ethan is having problems with his eyes teaming together. So we think he sees double at close distances among other things. We’re putting him in a 36 week vision therapy program that we hope will train his eyes correctly.
• We also had Ethan evaluated by a neurologist as we think he may be having momentary seizures. We get the results later in February.