Family Christmas Celebration!

"What car am I in?"
"Can I ride in the van?"
"I brought back my permission slip...can I pleeaaaassee go?"

These questions echoed throughout Trinity Place as twenty two Granny's House kids awaited The Crossing's "Family Christmas Celebration" on December 10th. Once the rides were arranged, the Christmas music was in the CD player, and the "let's remember to behave" talks, we were complete, we were off to the church for a fun evening!

Once we arrived, the kids ate pizza with families from The Crossing and watched a Christmas program which had them dancing in the isles, laughing in their seats, and most importantly learning more about the Lord. To finish off the evening, all the kids stuffed teddy bears which were sent to Africa for kids in The Pistis School in Kenya! The kids even included "prayer notes" with each bear and they were so excited that their bears were going to children half way around the world!

Thank you to all the "host families" from The Crossing who made the night so special for the kids. As we made our way to the parking lot, several kids said "Look! There is my church family!! Next year...can I be with them again? Pleeeaassseee?!!!"

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Christmas Caroling in the Projects

“Joy to the world the Lord is come…” and so proclaimed our little band of red-Santa-hat-wearing carolers during the first two weeks of December. Granny Pam, accompanied by the Community Compassion team from Christian Fellowship Church, went door-to-door in Douglass Park and also visited Woodhaven homes spreading the joy of the season to anyone who would open their doors to our curious little “Choir,” which surprisingly grew in numbers and excitement with each passing night.

Without orchestra or hymnal, maestro or baton, we toted our bin of gift-filled Christmas stockings and lots of joy (and sometimes, a whole lot of noise too!) from house to house. As I heard the “Oooo’s and aaah’s” and the excited “Hurry up and get the kids so they can hear this” from the residents, I found myself thinking, “Maybe we don’t sound so off-key, after all!”

Our goal in taking the kids caroling was to mentor them in the simplicity of giving. It really is “more blessed to give then to receive” and we welcomed the opportunity to show them how to give away what they do have: a voice, a song, a hug, a smile... They experienced, first-hand, the pleasure of brightening someone else’s holiday season as they belted out “Joy to the World” and “We wish you a merry Christmas …from the kids at Granny’s House.”

Each evening, we brought the kids back to Granny’s House for hot cocoa and God-stories from their new Christian Fellowship friends. How exciting for them to hear about grown-ups’ relationships with God that actually began in childhood. They listened intently as different ones shared how much God cares about and stands waiting to help with the things that concern them like anger, making good grades, and obeying their parents.

And just before we all headed home, each Community Compassion team member gathered up two or three little ones to pray with them… such a sweet time. We are so grateful for, not only the gift-filled Christmas stockings they provided, but the kindness and love they showered on all the kids… we loved every moment and can’t wait to have them back at Granny’s House again!!

From all the kids, volunteers, and staff, we hope you have a really wonderful Christmas, filled with the life and love that only He can give.
-Granny Pam

Thank you volunteers!!

A big thank you to our incredible volunteers who have spent countless hours encouraging kids, mopping floors, solving homework problems, tossing around footballs in the front yard, and modeling Christ for so many Granny's House kids this semester. "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." Hebrews 6:10.

Community Compassion

Thank you to Christian Fellowship church and Community Compassion who provided gifts for Granny' s House which included games, balls, puzzles and household items! The kids loved playing the games with members from the church, and had a great time getting creative as they made crafts for their moms! They especially loved the "treat bags" Christian Fellowship provided for the kids which included candy and Christmas pencils! Thank you to everyone who helped in such a generous way!

Leaf Piles!

What good is the Fall without a big leaf pile to jump in! For the last few weeks, the number one question at Granny's House has been "Can I have a rake and make a leaf pile?!" Whether it's burying each other in a pile of leaves, or running around with a pile to throw in the air, I'm sure the kids will enjoy playing in our front yard until the last leaf falls!

MU Basketball Game

Thank you to Cleeks Rent to Own who provided Granny's House with basketball tickets to last weeks game against Lincoln. The kids had a great time! Many of them had never been to the new Mizzou Arena, so it as an exciting experience!

If I Had A Million Dollars

Just seven minutes. That's all the time it takes to watch "IF I HAD A MILLION DOLLAR$" featuring the children of Granny's House. And that's all the time it will take for you to fall in love with the precious children who appear in our little movie.

As you watch, you'll howl with laughter, you'll cry, and sometimes find yourself awestruck as you listen to the depth of love and appreciation they have for all the goodness God pours into their lives. Sometimes their profound responses to our questions belie the fact that they're only children.

At Granny's House, it seems that every season, not just the holidays, is filled with joy and we are thrilled to be able to share a little bit of that joy with you via our latest DVD project. This is just a sample, just a little bit of what we get to experience every single weekday afternoon on Trinity Place. Enjoy!!
-Granny Pam

Halloween!

Thank you to the Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA) of Mizzou who helped provide Halloween costumes to Granny’s House kids this year! What a fun time it was seeing everyone dressed up as pirates, princesses and action heros! Several of our younger children went to the Christian Fellowship “Fall Festival” to show off their outfits as well as play games and bounce the night away in the many bounce houses at the event! Thank you again to everyone who helped make the night so special!

CALEB-Cow Eye Dissection

Members of Caleb the Science Club dissected cow eyes during Saturday’s meeting, as they participated in a telemedicine link with St. Louis University. After learning about the parts and functions of the eye, the students examined each section of the cow eye, as doctors and medical students walked them through the dissection process. I think we might have a few surgeons in the group!

The Learning Loft

Anyone who has visited Granny’s House for more than five minutes, knows that finding space for 40-60 kids to play is a bit of a challenge. Between our “302” side being used for only dinner, and our “304” unit typically being used for various groups and activities every evening, we are limited in space for our active children. Oftentimes, when you walk into our 304 side, you bump into kids playing Candy Land on the ground in front of the door because there is no other place to play, and as you walk further into the apartment, you notice kids coloring in the hallway, and volunteers reading with kids next to a boom box blasting Lecrae's Christian Rap Cd!

Since the start of the school year, a new challenge has arrived. Homework has always been something we stress to the kids, and we even have a “Show Us What You Got” bulletin board where kids can post their good grades. In the past, however, most of the kids would do their homework at home and come to Granny’s House afterward to play with friends. This year...is different. On any given day, 10 or more kids are running to Granny’s House (homework in hand) right off the school bus begging “Will you help me with my homework!”

When this “crisis” first started, we would grab a volunteer, and head straight to the Craft Room to quietly work on their homework (and when we say “quietly” we mean radio blasting, kids laughing and doors slamming). Soon we realized: something needs to change.

Although we typically do not allow children upstairs in our office and storage room which is on our “eating” side, we realized we had no other choice! Because of this, when you visit Granny’s House at 4:00 pm and head upstairs, you have to climb over children, books, and an occasional stack of flashcards in order to find a seat in the office.

We knew God was trying to tell us something when I walked upstairs and took the pictures of a volunteer working on homework with one of our elementary kids (at that time we did not have calculators so the volunteer's cell phone calculator was being used). When I viewed the picture, I noticed Serenity and Starr in the back corner of our storage room piled up against birthday presents and random donations as they worked on their homework. On that day that the staff looked at each other and said “Something has to change!”
We immediately began praying for guidance, and all of us started brainstorming about how great it would be to have the adjoining upstairs apartment that would be dedicated to just homework and tutoring. It was then that we came up with what we believed was the perfect name for a area for tutoring: “The Learning Loft.” We would have a “homework room” a “quiet room” and maybe even a “computer room” where kids could work on schoolwork without interruption. And, with more and more older kids (13-18 year olds) still hanging around Granny's House, we thought it would be a perfect place to teach them life skills; filling out job applications, practicing answering interview questions, etc.

As we proceeded to inquire about acquiring that “perfect” apartment, we discovered one huge obstacle. The apartment that we believe would be absolutely perfect for our “Learning Loft” is currently occupied by a public housing resident. After talking to the housing authority on several occasions, it seems as though our dreams of the “Learning Loft” are more distant than we thought. Our rent would significantly increase, and the current resident would have to agree to be “transfered” to another unit, incurring all the expenses associated with moving (paying deposits for transferring utilities, telephones etc.) Not to mention the actual drudge of moving all of your belongings… down the street.

Regardless, we know God put this need into our laps for a reason, and we are confident that a solution is right around the corner. Please join us in prayer as we ask God to provide space for the kids to learn. It’s been incredibly exciting watching the kids grades increase and to watch them get motivated in school! What a blessing.

Mom's Banquet

Just like every other Moms' Banquets, our burning desire was to unveil the heart of God, His extravagant love 3-D to all the moms, grandmothers, and special guests who gathered at the University of Missouri's Black Culture Center on October 12. We so wanted them to see that they really are just “One Step Away,” one choice away, from an intimate relationship with their Heavenly Father.

Our guests feasted on Buckingham's Bar-B-Que and were given lots of “TLC” from our older Granny's House girls who were among our servers. During the banquet, we premiered “IF I HAD A MILLION DOLLAR$,” a DVD featuring the children of Granny's House. We were thrilled to, again, have Candace Ingram's (Ourpouring Dance Ministry) expression of worship as she danced to “Broken.”

The centerpiece of this year's event was our guest speaker, Bridget Thomas, Senior Women's Director at Kids Across America (KAA, a Kanakuk Kamp). Everyone would agree that we were all encouraged and challenged as she shared an incredible and oh-so-practical message with us.

If I had a million dollars, I would invite all of Columbia to our next Mom's Banquet!

-Pamela Ingram

(If you would like a copy of our 7-minute DVD, “IF I HAD A MILLION DOLLAR$,” please contact Pam@grannyshouse.org)

Multimedia Slideshow

As many of you know, this summer, Julia Robinson (a Columbia Tribune photo journalist), followed the Mustang girls and captured their journey as they "tamed the wild." She took some amazing photos, and put together a multi-media slideshow that will blow you away! Check it out here and make sure to watch all three "shows!" It will really give you a 3-D view of what the girls experienced this summer.

Part Three-Mustang Girls in the News

Part three of the Spirit Rider's journey with the Mustang Makeover has been posted! Check out the pictures and story in the Columbia Tribune!

Part Two-Mustang Girls in the News

Part two of the Columbia Tribune story on our Mustang girls is up and running. What amazing pictures! Thanks Julia for following us all summer and for capturing such incredible images of our journey!

Part One-Mustang Girls in the News!

Updates from our trip to Texas should be up in the next day or so, but in the meantime, check out part 1 of the girls journey these last through months in today's Columbia Tribune! We can't wait to share with everyone the details of our Texas trip!!!

One week till Texas!

In just over a week, five Spirit Riders, four wild mustangs, and an entourage of trainers and fans will head to Fort Worth, Texas, to participate in “Mission 007: Extreme Mustang Makeover.” Last minute training will be in full swing this week as the girls finalize their routine and prepare for the big competition.

Our trip to Texas will, no doubt, be an exciting adventure, beginning with the girls' first ever plane ride on September 17th! As the Mustangs head to Texas in trailers pulled by Spirit Riders director, Sue Crane, and trainers, Robin Crane, Riki Shipley, and Holly Upson, the five competitors, along with a Granny's House mom, a staff member, and a volunteer will fly to Fort Worth where they will rendezvous with their yearlings!

Please pray for safe travel, and calm hearts as the girls experience their first airplane journey together!

Once they arrive in Texas, the girls will busy themselves preparing for the big competition on Friday, September 19th along with 200 other youth from across the nation. The Spirit Riders will show judges just how far their yearlings have come since being picked up in May.

On, Saturday, September 20th, the Mustangs will be put up for adoption and hopefully be placed in a loving home. While the girls have been preparing their hearts for this day for quite awhile, they'll probably shed a few tears as they say goodbye to the Mustangs they have become so close with these last three months.

Although this will be the end of their “Mustang Challenge” there will be a “Trivia Night” fundraiser on October 16th to help cover some of the expenses of the Texas trip as well as other expenses incurred over the summer.

For more information about the “Trivia Night” fundraiser on October 16th, please email Angie at angie@grannyshouse.org or click on the flyer above. Thank you for your support during these last few months.

Check out blog in the coming weeks for updates and photos from our trip to Forth Worth.

Meet Kiona!

Though just an eighth-grade middle school student, she stands out as more than just a “regular” kid! This thirteen-year-old is smart, a quick learner, and a born leader whose radiant smile could melt an ice boulder.

When Kiona popped into Granny's House nine months ago, we immediately saw that she was a take charge, “let's-get-it-done” kind of girl. She even uses her FaceBook Wall to broadcast her passion for serving in our midst: “Kiona is at granny's house which is the place i love!”

She expresses that love in a million different ways: she assumed the task of keeping the daily “Sign-In” log and she has published a Granny's House Newsletter for the kids. One of her most significant roles, however, has been helping develop programs for “God's Precious Jewels,” a group for first through fourth grade girls at Granny's House:

"Kiona is truly an answer to my prayers! I have been greatly inspired and motivated by her in the short time we've known each other. In an age when young girls would rather hang out with friends at the mall, Kiona has chosen to devote a great deal of her free time to one of the younger girls' groups at Granny's House. Her selfless acts of love clearly illustrate her ever-growing love for Jesus Christ. At thirteen, she is already an ambassador for the Kingdom, and I think that makes her a truly remarkable young lady!" (Bianca Anderson, God's Precious Jewels coordinator and Senior at Mizzou).

While Kiona is helping strengthen and improve many facets of Granny's House, God is doing some pretty incredible things in her as well:ouHouse

“Since being at Granny's House, I'm changing in the way I look at people… not judging them. I want to be nice instead of mean and treat people how I want to be treated.” When asked how she would best describe the Lord, she quickly answered, “…unique, wonderful… He can do all things!”

We can't wait to visit Kiona in about twenty years when she's the one leading a “Granny's House” somewhere!

Back to School Festival

We planned for 80 - 100 kids, but almost double that showed up. We assumed that most wouldn't want to sit through the required ten-minute dental hygiene video and demonstration, but every single child sat quietly with their eyes glued, not only to the screen, but also to Granny Libby (Libby Grantham - dental hygienist), as she gave a brief demonstration on brushing and flossing. You would have thought we had promised to pass out hundred dollar bills afterwards instead of the simple little bag containing a “bells `n whistles” toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss. Some of the teens actually preferred the pre-school “Fire Fly” toothbrush instead of an “Oral B!” From just about every angle, our Back to School Festival was an overwhelming blessing to the children and families of Douglass Park!

As hot dogs grilled and kids and parents mingled in the front yard, brand new backpacks filled with school supplies, shoe gift cards, and dental hygiene kits were distributed. I'm always awed by the Lord's abundant provision for the children who come to Granny's House and I'm oh so grateful for the generosity and kindness of the individuals and churches that provided what our kids need for a great start to the new school year.

At the end of the day, my only concern is the possibility of Granny Libby spontaneously singing the video's silly little brushing song, “When you wake up in the morning…” to some of her patients at Dr. Willett's dental office! She only had to hear it a couple of dozen times last weekend! -Granny Pam

Mustang Makeover in the News!

If you haven’t already picked up a copy of “Vox Magazine” (available at several locations in Columbia), make sure you grab a copy! Our “Mustang Makeover” girls made the cover along with a four page spread detailing their accomplishments throughout the summer!

The four Spirit Riders have put in a lot of hours at the farm these past few months, and have learned so much about patience, commitment and self-control. Along the way, they have had to get use to acclimate themselves to media attention, as several news organizations have had their eye on the girl's story! As many of you know, a photo-journalist (Julia Robinson) from the Columbia Tribune has been with us from the beginning, and she has spent countless hours on the farm with the girls capturing incredible images of the journey. Last week, Sarah Hill from KOMU's "Sarah's Stories" came out to do a piece on the group, and next week they will appear on "Pepper and Friends" to share their story! (Let's pray they don't get stage fright!)

We are so proud of the girls hard work, and we can’t believe the competition in Texas is only weeks away (September 19th)!

Neighborhood Transition

Did you know that the Granny's House neighborhood has radically changed over the past year? With Columbia's influx of refugees (mostly from Africa), we have the privilege and challenge of sharing Christ's love with children from Somalia, Rwanda, Burundi, and The Congo. One thing is certain: kids, regardless of their language and ethnic background, are “love sponges!” God's love does, indeed, provide a universal language!

“Aunge” giggles as we repeat after her: “Nee-She-Me-Eh, Koo-Baa-Men-Yeh” (“Nice to meet you”) so that we can properly greet her grandma when she arrives for a visit from Rwanda. “Adru” dramatizes her African teacher's response to one of her unfinished school assignments while still living in Somalia; “Rokay” loves to show off his dance moves, even while listening to the Chinese music he hears on the Shanghai Circus DVD. It didn't take us long to discover that they all love popsicles!

As we endeavor to flesh out the gospel to our new international friends, our hearts cry out for effective and creative ways to fulfill the Lords prayer: “…let you kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” We covet your prayers for wisdom and grace as we make Christ known among the nations that have gathered at our doorstep.

“…red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight.”

Just about everyone has sung this song at least once in their lifetime and at Granny's House, we get to see and experience the reality of this beautiful mosaic.

Back from KAA!

We apologize for not getting this blog out sooner! Since we got back from camp a week ago, we have been going non-stop!

We had a great week at Kids Across America with 31 campers, and have hundreds of stories to share about treetops, ski tubing, football, rock climbing, etc. However, our favorite stories are the ones that involve our kid's relationship with the Lord. For eight days, our kids were soaked in God's love and many of the campers came back "on fire" for the Lord. They were also able to relax and be kids! Thank you to everyone who prayed for our time away...and especially those who prayed for specific kids.

We have put together a DVD for our campers documenting their experience, and we would love to share it with anyone who wants one! If you would like a copy of the DVD, please email angie@grannyshouse.org (please put KAA Video in the Subject Line) and I will make sure to send one out to you. I don't think you can truly understand how powerful camp is until you see it through the eyes of a camper!

KAA-U-KNOW!!!

KAA U-KNOW!!!

It's 6am, and in about 1 hour, 32 Granny's House kids and 4 Granny's House staff will be begin our 5 hour adventure to Kids Across America! The kids are beyond excited, and one first year camper told me he was going to be waiting up at Granny's House at 5:30am (even though he doesn't technically have to be ready to go until 7am!). We will update you on our trip once we get home on July 27th, but in the meantime, please pray for our kids! In the past God has done some incredible things at camp, and I'm sure this year will be no different.

This year's camp "theme" is based on Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Please pray for transformed hearts and minds as the kids are literally soaked in God's love for 8 solid days!

Don't Worry...

Every once in awhile, I will overhear a conversation between a Granny’s House volunteer and one of our kids that puts a huge smile on my face. Yesterday was one of those days.

An 11 year old girl, and one of our volunteers were talking about the volunteers family (specifically her brother who isn’t a Christian). The volunteer was explaining that although he believes in “God” he doesn’t believe in Jesus.

CHILD: “What do you mean he doesn’t believe in Jesus?”
VOLUNTEER: “Well...he doesn’t believe that Jesus died for our sins on the cross, and he doesn’t believe Jesus was God’s son.”
CHILD: “Who does he think died for our sins then!?”
VOLUNTEER: “Well...I guess he doesn’t think our sins need to be forgiven.”
CHILD: “What! Is he a nice person?
VOLUNTEER: “Yep...he is a very nice person...just doesn’t believe in Jesus.”
CHILD: “Do his parents know about this?”
VOLUNTEER: “Yep...and they love him anyway, but they pray for him all the time.”

After about 30 seconds of silence...this was the child’s response...

CHILD: “Don’t worry....he’ll get it someday...”

Tears almost came to my eyes as I listened to the hope that an 11 year old Granny’s House child had for someone she had never met. What a precious display of what it means to whole-heartedly believe in the power and love of Jesus Christ.

Power Shopping?

These eager shoppers arrived Wednesday afternoon ready to power-shop, some arriving hours before the doors of this unique specialty “store” even opened. “I wonder if the blue look-alike shirts are still there… is that green swim towel with the brown monkeys still there?” swirled through their minds.

This unique specialty store is actually an integral part of our preparation to take thirty-two young people to Kids Across America Kamp (KAA). Since January, these excited kampers have been showing up for “KAA Work Days” to earn points to “spend” at the Kamp Store. The kids do anything from spreading mulch in the front yard to organizing craft supplies in the Activities Room to earn those coveted “Kamp Points.” They can, potentially, earn enough points to purchase every single item on their official “KAA Kamp List” from our little two-room “store:” one room for boys and one for girls.

At Granny’s House, we are always looking for creative ways to help the kids understand that they are unique and oh-so-valuable to us and to God; that they have been infused by God with gifts, talents, and strengths; that they are Victors not victims. We long to establish in the forefront of their thinking the relationship between work and provision. The kids are actually empowered by knowledge that they will have the opportunity to provide everything they need for the trip: everything from t-shirts, basketball shorts, and swim towels to rolling duffel bags and insect repellent – it’s all available at the KAA Kamp Store!

I’ll never forget the day we rolled off the bus upon our arrival at KAA a few years ago. As one of the college student counselors helped us unload our bags, he commented,
“…nice bags! Did someone donate them?” I quickly responded, “Oh no… the children bought them!”

All-too-often, benefits doled out to people living in public housing come with some level of stigma or shame attached. But not so with the Kamp Store! The kids are proud to know that they worked hard to provide their own Kamp gear – an invaluable lesson we believe will stick with them for the rest of their lives! -Granny Pam