As we did with the Cadets last month, we were invited to hang out a little while with the GEMS girls and counselors and ask a few questions. The newsletter staff greatly enjoyed hearing from the girls about what they most like about GEMS nights...

The GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior) program is the girls’ club in the Christian Reformed Church and other denominations. This is the place where girls and mentoring women study together, do crafts together, play together. The weekly nights give the girls an opportunity to hear and see what it means to be a follower of Christ, to live a life fully devoted to Him.

Our GEMS club is capably overseen by counselors Missy Dykema, Melinda Koetje, Karen Kooiker, Marie Yowtz, and craft counselor, Lynda Kiekover. These ladies willingly give a couple hours of their time every Wednesday night to be with our 1st through 8th grade girls and a handful of girls from the surrounding community. Along with their time and energy on Wednesday nights, they have spent hours of preparation time on the Bible lesson, obtaining and organizing craft supplies, and preparing to teach badge work. When asked why they chose the ministry of GEMS, the answers where, “Because we love to be with the girls.” and “We love to teach.” Thank you, ladies, for your willingness to mold the girls in GEMS into Christ-loving young ladies.

Every year, the GEMS work on a theme. This year they are concentrating their energy on “Get Wisdom”. When asked the blessing so far about teaching this particular theme, the counselors responded by saying they have really gotten to know their girls and this is a program that encourages girls to invite their friends. The GEMS response to the question, “What have you learned about your theme so far?”, were “not to lie”, “get wisdom”, “no bad attitude”.

The girls were asked about how each meeting goes – what comes first, second, third, etc. Of course, they all wanted to answer and were talking together at the same time, but we think this is what they said. First they start all together in the choir room upstairs to sing, pray together, go over their verses, and listen to any announcements. They then divide into their smaller groups with their counselor, head to classrooms for the Bible lesson. Craft follows the Bible lesson. The all-important snack comes next. They play if there is any time left over and then head for home. We are not all together sure where badge work fits into this, but we do know that they work on badges.

Favorite badges for the girls: pottery was Ellie Scholma’s favorite; Alyssa Kiekover likes the swimming badge the best; and Lauren Bouma’s favorite was sewing. The counselors agreed that all the badges are great, but they did like teaching and helping the girls with the pottery badge.

So far, it sounded like the girls liked the craft with the pumpkins the best.  We are not sure exactly what all was involved in that one. So if you are a little curious, you may want to ask one of the GEMS.

Our girls are also involved in acts of service throughout the year. They have worked at the food pantry on occasion; they have collected/sorted coats, and done some special things at Christmas time.

Thank you to the counselors for your dedication. Thank you to our girls for your energy. Continue to grow daily in the wisdom of the Lord. Blessings on all of you.