Pebbles and Stones in African School
 “ I could not believe the impact.  They did not want to stop writing or listening for God's words. One 5-year-old girl drew a picture of two people.  "They are trying to find Jesus.  They are building a mountain to try to find Jesus.  But an angel is coming to tell them about who Jesus really is.  We need to pray for them."  Another older boy drew a picture of rain saying that God wanted to rain on Africa but also wanted to rain His Holy Spirit on Africa.  My own son drew a beautiful picture of multitudes all over the world lifting up their hands in praise to Jesus.  (He'd had a dream about this when he was 5 years old - at that time he said it made him so happy that he cried; he’d not mentioned this since, but brought it up during our sharing time).  Joseph also drew a map of the entire African continent and wrote, "People in Africa will be saved and healed of sickness."

                                          Dr. Terry Andrew, Founder of Children In Christ     Nairobi, Kenya

Pebbles and Stones at a Christian School

“God has been working through P&S at Byron Center Christian this year. The kids have come to realize that God will meet them when they quiet themselves and listen to His voice. God has shown the kids that He is to be praised during our singing time while we incorporate Psalms. Our lessons focused on the Psalms this year and the children took the verses that we studied into quiet time so they could reflect and listen for God to speak more to them about that verse.

                One new prayer avenue we ventured on this year was taking the kids on a prayer walk where God revealed that everything is part of His keeping and care (even the boiler room and kitchen). We walked and stopped by each door and prayed over what happened there during a school day. The kids knew more what to pray for than I, so was led by them. Teachers working after school came out and joined us in prayer, and this touched the kids to see God using them. We left each spot with a note saying that we had been there praying. God was blessed and so were we!”

                                                                           Byron Center Christian School      Byron Center, MI

Pebbles and Stones at a Rescue Mission

“Children and their mothers living at our rescue mission have been involved with "Pebbles and Stones" during the past year. They have met weekly and have enjoyed the activities so much! I believe this group has helped to improve relationships between mothers and their children. They have loved the attention and have grown from the focus on the Lord and His Word. "Pebbles and Stones" has given our children and moms a much-needed outlet to express their thoughts, fears, and dreams. It's wonderful to see this fit into the Christian perspective. “

                                                                                    Mel Trotter Ministries     Grand Rapids, MI

Pebbles and Stones at an Inner-city Youth Center

“Pebbles and Stones has brought positive changes to the lives of SVYC kids and contributed to an increased sense of family in our community. “

                                                                                                 Sun Valley Youth Center  Denver, CO.

Pebbles and Stones rejuvenates Sunday School Programs

“Pebbles and Stones has influenced the children at Sunshine in a variety of ways. For the past two years we have prayed weekly for our church's Mexico Mission Trip and both the children and the mission team members have been blessed in incredible ways. This year we also focused on a missionary family, and they are amazed at all that God is doing on their mission field, certainly influenced by the prayers of the children. Many children have written their own songs or poems, painted beautiful pictures and journaled about God's actions in their lives. They are learning that God speaks to His people and to listen to Him. They are learning that their prayers make a  difference. They are learning to worship Him in all that that do. One mom shared that her child had an argument with her one day. When mom wouldn't listen to her side of the story, this little girl went to her bedroom to tell God all about it in a loud voice, because He would always listen to her. Mom said that her child's response came from what she had learned at Pebbles and Stones.

                Pebbles and Stones has also influenced my own life and the lives of our family. I continue to grow in my walk with my Lord, as I share His work in my life with the children. My children are quick to bring their needs to their heavenly Father. We use a family prayer journal to track our requests and His answers, and they even sing their prayers sometimes. My oldest child has been called to be an intercessor for leaders, while my youngest has a  heart for those who don't know Jesus yet. My husband has learned that he can  be a teacher to children and have compassion for them (even those who aren't his own). Teaching, guiding, encouraging the Pebbles and Stones approach at Sunshine has not been easy. There are certainly many obstacles often in the way, sometimes from unexpected directions. I have been tempted more than once to quit and give up. I don't foresee it becoming easier in the future, and yet I believe it really embraces the active work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of our children and it really encourages them to listen to God at work and then to follow. That is the kind of "program" that I want for my own kids as well as all the others who need a personal relationship with Him.”
                                                                                Sunshine Community Church     Grand Rapids, MI

      Last year when Toimu began Pebbles and Stones he had just arrived from Monrovia, Liberia. In his young life he had witnessed much violence and pain from the years of unrest in Liberia. He was very anxious and would often stare out the window. When he would pray- his prayers would come spilling out quickly for members of his family who he was separated from feeling he needed to mention everyone and he didn't want to forget anyone. Whenever he journaled he would draw the cross and the empty tomb; the foundation of his life and the strength he needed to go on. By May we noticed his heart was quieted and he began opening up with more specific prayer requests.

      This summer when the rebels were storming the capital of Liberia, he asked if we would pray for his brothers and sisters still in Monrovia. He said they were out of food and water and there was gunfire heard all around their home. We prayed for their safety and for the Lord to provide for them. We also prayed for Toimu who here knew of the danger but was so far from his brothers and sisters. Toimu was going through another trial in his young life but he knew that God was able to bring him and those he loved through. At the age of 7 he had already discovered the power of prayer.

      This past Sunday Pastor Amos, Toimu's dad was a helper in Pebbles and Stones. During our praise and worship we laid hands on Pastor Amos, Toimu, his son, and Jodi whose father and sister are a part of the team in Monrovia, Liberia with Pastor Sam.

     Later, in our classrooms, we read the parable of the Good Samaritan from the Bible. After the story we asked the Lord to reveal someone who needed our love or something that really touched our heart from the worship, prayer time or from the Bible passage. We journal through drawing. After listening to the Lord and journaling, Pastor Amos drew a picture that shared his heart. He explained, "This is the Good Shepherd picking up the wounded sheep." He told us that the Lord revealed that he would take care of those who were hurt by the war and that he would gently reach out to them and bring healing where Satan intended to hurt or destroy. Toimu drew a picture of himself on a bed and an angel coming to him in a dream. His brothers and sisters who are still in Liberia were standing in the background. He said, "an angel talked to me in a dream and said not to be afraid because my brothers and sisters would be alright." God knew what his little lamb needed and he revealed his love through a dream.  I praise God that not only had we been able to join in prayer with Toimu this summer; but God also gave us the gift of seeing the answers to those prayers.
                                                                               Madison Square CRC Church     Grand Rapids, MI