Friday Interviews

I wandered down to our Rec Center and then outdoors to interview some of the kiddos who are here for our Rec Center hours.  As a bonus, I got a hug from a little guy and a glimpse of an octopus dish some youth were eating like walking tacos. Apparently $5 to the street vendor is the key to securing such a delicacy!

I like coming to Aim Right because...

• it's fun.
• you get to learn about God.

My favorite thing about Aim Right is...

• playing and friends.
• that I get food here.
• that you don't have to pay.
• that you get to worship and sing songs.
• all my friends come here.

At Aim Right, I learned...

• not to say bad words and to always have fun.
• that God never breaks a promise.
• that the Bible is the most important book.

I love coming to Aim Right to...

• hang out with friends.
• see my friends.

Getting to Know Branden

Let's meet Branden Hershberger, Aim Right's newest intern. He arrived at the end of August, so this post is a little belated. Already we have greatly appreciated his friendliness and willingness to jump in and do whatever is needed.  Branden answered some questions for us. Read on!

 

• Number of siblings: Two (an older brother and an older sister)
• Why you decided to become an intern: This is where God has called me, so here I am to do His work.
• Hobbies and interests: Spikeball, sports, playing cajon, writing spoken word/poetry
• A pet peeve: When people spell my name Brandon instead of Branden
• If money wasn't an issue, you'd be driving a: 1970 Dodge Challenger

• You'd be excited to receive a gift card to: Wal-Mart or Amazon [Hint-hint to those of you out there who might want to bless him in this way. Interns love mail!]
• Today's children and youth are searching for: Purpose, meaning, laughter, and acceptance
• What motivates you to serve Christ with your life? Romans 12:1 says, "...offer your bodies as a living sacrifice..."  That's what I try to do every day.
• A highlight of the past year: Performing in "Fiddler on the Roof" while at Rosedale Bible College

 

Source: Rosedale Bible College

(Branden is wearing a hat.)

• Nicknames: Big B, Hershy, and now thanks to a teen here in Phoenix, Triple B
• Which do you feel more drawn to: children or teens? Both
• What are your thoughts on ironing clothes? I don't iron.
• Favorite Bible verse: It may seem like an easy way out, but Genesis 1:1, where it all starts (everything!).
• Person you admire and why: Darren Schrock: He's been a role model of mine for quite some time now. He's a great man of faith and an amazing influence in my life.
• Most unusual thing you've done or seen since coming to Phoenix: Real life cacti
• What you would tell someone considering being an intern: These kids are crazy, but they're a lot of fun.
• What age you consider old: I'm not about to answer that!



City Night: September 16

What was called Teen Night for many years is now City Night; it is Aim Right downtown's Friday evening program for teenagers.

 



 

Ro and Lourdes Roman lead Aim Right's outreach to teens. Friday's City Night started with some get-to-know-you activities. Ro had four circles of chairs placed around the room; he projected four preferences on the screen (for example, one was: having $500,000 cash; owning a luxurious home; traveling the world for 1 year; owning a sports car). Youth moved to a circle around the room based on the item they would want the most. Most of the teens ended up in the $500,000 circle for that round. While in the circle, teens would share for a few minutes about why they liked their choice.

 

After the circle activities, Ro shared with teens some of his life story, including when he decided to follow Christ and how he began volunteering at Aim Right.  He reminded teens that City Night is for them, to receive encouragement, hope, and teaching from God's Word for their lives. Then, it was snacks and hang-out time to close out City Night.

 

 

Branden has seriously honed his Hot Pocket nuking skills since arriving in Phoenix. Between our teen events and Rec Center, the snack shack is a busy little corner.

Rec Center: Week #1

The past two afternoons, Aim Right downtown has come alive with the sounds of children as they enjoy our Rec Center. We couldn't ask for a better location, as we are right across the street from an elementary school.

 

 



Our pool table is a big hit, although it's doubtful any "by-the-rules" games of pool are being played on it.

 



 

Beads and bracelet making!

 

 

 

 

Foosball:

 

While our snack stand (tucked behind the shiny corrugated metal wall you see) wouldn't win any health awards, our prices are cheap, and the fare is kid and teen friendly. You can get a soda and a Hot Pocket for $1.00.



 

 

A little story:  I was working in the office upstairs a little while ago when I heard a knock on the door downstairs.  That is not so unusual, as we keep all of the exterior doors locked.  When I went to investigate, a group of children was seated on the porch, eating their snack stand purchases. I knew most of them, and as we were talking, one of the girls asked if I was sick. She had noticed my voice, which currently sounds as if I'm a 4-pack-a-day smoker (thanks to a sore throat and a lot of talking already today).

 

She said, "I'm going to pray for you to feel better."  I was expressing my thanks when one of the boys said, "Let's pray right now.  God is here."  So they both prayed for my voice, then and there.  Isn't that a lesson for all of us?  When you say you're going to pray for someone--do it right away--and share the blessing of your spoken words lifted up to Him.

More People = More Love

Our intern Aleisha writes...

 

Summer has come and left. September is here, and with September here, kids have been in school for a month now. And with kids back into school, that means our programs around here are up and rolling. This week is our first FULL week. We have something going on every night between our downtown location and our Sunnyslope location, including Community Night at Aim Right North. We are on our third week with Community Night. It's so fun to see some old faces and also some new ones!

 

 

There are kids out playing basketball, four square, and just hanging out. The little ones often like to participate with a craft that Tory or I have come up with.  A carpetball game has been donated to us and now is the new cool thing to play with. Kids are lined up waiting for their turn to become the next carpetball king.

 

 

 

It's also good to see our faithful volunteers back, giving a night out of their week to the community. We couldn't do it without them. It's also nice to have other volunteers coming to just hang out. The other night, one of them said, "If I knew there were so many other volunteers here, I wouldn't have come," and we told them, "We can never have too many!" The more volunteers we have, the more love we have to spread around to the people!

 

An Ice Pop and an Invitation



Something very exciting happened at the end of August: we welcomed a new intern! Branden Hershberger is from Salisbury, Pennsylvania. He recently graduated from Rosedale Bible College in Ohio, where he majored in Youth Ministries.  It is great to have him join the team; he is pictured in the black shirt in the photos below.

 

Now that we have two interns, we are able to open the Rec Center again, three afternoons a week. Branden and Aleisha greeted Garfield Elementary students as they left school today, giving them flyers about Rec Center, which opens this week, and an ice pop. Please pray that kids will encounter His love and truth as they interact with our staff, learn Bible verses, do their homework, and play games during Rec Center.

 



A List of Links

-An interesting Washington Post article: To attract young people to your church, you’ve got to be warm. Not cool.
According to the article, this is what young people are looking for: authenticity, connection, and a sense of family. And it doesn't happen overnight.

-An informative report: The Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado: The Impact
This is rather lengthy, but my recommendation would be to read the Executive Summary (pages 1-5) and the section regarding Youth (pages 37-61). Arizona will be voting in November on the legalization of recreational marijuana. How will that affect our youth?

-Hope Women's Center is in a new location closer to Aim Right and was recently on TV. Also featured was a class taught by Cakes for Causes.
Our intern Aleisha volunteers at Hope Women's Center. Cakes for Causes has donated baked goods to Aim Right in the past.

-Just for fun: An excited 4th grader
"I don't even know the orders anymore."

-Recent Aim Right happenings on our Facebook page.
Kids Club, supplies needed, and staff prayer.