Let me start off by saying, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and had the opportunity to spend it with family and friends! This year, like every year, Joshua House has been blessed by all of the volunteers, donors, and those who attended our Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner. We had a record breaking 525 meals served! How incredible! In case you were unaware, we host this event every year on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Be sure to mark it on your calendar for 2020 as we would LOVE to break bread with you, serve with you, and see how you are doing.
2019 Champs - Lakers
I am very excited to announce that our Cross-Town Basketball League will be starting up this month! This program is one that we provide to students in 7th to 12th grades throughout the area who love the game of basketball and love to have fun. Last year we had 4 teams and hope to expand on that this year. If you have a child or grandchild that is interested, please sign them up because this league is a blast! Let me give you some important dates and then we will dive into the purpose of the league.
Open Gym: December 28th from 5:30 to 7:30
Open Gym: January 8th from 5:30 to 7:30
Last Day of Registration: January 10th
First Practice: January 15th from 5:30 to 7:30
First Game: January 18th from 5:30 to 7:30
League runs January to beginning of March
Registration Fee: $25 per player
Register on: www.joshuahouse.com/cross-town
Proverbs 3:6 states ‘In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.’ The wonderful thing about the league is that it gives us the opportunity to connect with youth in a sport they love and share our testimony of faith. Last year I was able to lead a student to Christ and cannot tell you how thankful I am for that interaction and this league.
When I spoke to that youth, he conveyed to me uncontrollable feelings of rage and unforgiveness, feelings of destruction. He asked how he could stop those feelings, and how he can overcome them. He knew Jesus but never submitted his life to Him. We spoke and prayed together. He asked Christ to come into his life and into his heart. That youth has never been the same since. He is always eager to help, eager to learn. I am very proud of that young man and who he is becoming. He has been an example to me as to why Joshua House exists and why Cross-Town is such a cool thing to be a part of.
Not all stories of our attendees are like this, but, to me, that is ok. Joshua House has been a safe haven to many youth who are struggling, have feelings of unforgiveness and need a place to feel accepted. We have been here to give guidance and love, and without support from people like you, we would not be able to do this. So, thank you for supporting us and giving us the opportunity to have impact. The Armory has truly become a place that a lot of youth call home.
Since this will be the final monthly update of the year, I would like to, on behalf of Joshua House, wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas! Make sure to spend some time with your loved ones and celebrate. Celebrate the year in passing, the year ahead, and the birth of our Savior. I admit, I sometimes get caught in the frills and thrills of Christmas with preparing for dinner and gifts and hosting friends and family from out of town, but I do not want to push the true meaning aside. This year I will be sure to take the time to truly celebrate Jesus and all that He has done. From the bottom of my heart, thank you and have a very Merry Christmas!!
-Derek