Community = a unified body of individuals with common interest, share a common character. Community = a social activity like fellowship. 

As we start the new school year and we get back into the monthly clubs, the word  that comes to mind is community. Wow, did I see our community come together at October’s Santa Ana Club.  Earlier in the week I had the privilege of picking up a truck full of beautiful flowers sponsored by our local Trader Joes. They had interest in our community and played a special role in providing the  flowers.  I personally was happy to arrange the flowers in vases and get them ready for our Club.

When I arrived at Newsong Church (where we hold Club in Santa Ana), I experienced  community come together to set up the evening. I decorated our dinner tables with the fresh florals so that our room would feel inviting and warm.

As the evening started, the teens were greeted with smiles and hugs from the volunteers that make up our YoungLives community. Our teen parents had the opportunity to pick out donations given from our community of friends.

By now you’ve probably heard us speak about Laura and her team that prepare and serve the most delicious dinners at the Santa Ana Club – every month. This community of  volunteers planned a baked potato bar for dinner that included chicken, chili, and veggies as well as salad and cheese bread. The room filled with up warm conversations and smiles. After dinner, Sue and Debbie had a beautiful Harvest dessert table set up with delicious harvest bread, muffins and cupcakes.

Maria had fall interactive games for the teens, building community amongst them. Adrienne shared an inspiring message of Living and Leaving a Legacy. Yvette lead a craft for the evening (and we learned that a friend in her own community provided the hand crafted supplies for craft). The teen moms gathered at the craft tables with the mentors and shared conversations, smiles and crafting skills, building more community.

At the end of the night our God-Loving community of friends cleaned up the place and drove our teen families home. It is so beautiful to me to witness this community of people that gather and fellowship at YoungLives month after month.

Maria Randall ~ Santa Ana Club Volunteer