The Lord always provides. While we are busy worrying about what will happen next, who will fill the gap, and so on God is already putting the right pieces into place. We got to witness this when a new volunteer, Nichol Duenes, joined us at our Fall Kick-Off Training in August. She wanted to serve and love on teen moms and didn’t know exactly how she could be used. One of our volunteers that had faithfully done decorations at club for the last few years had recently relinquished this part of her role and we had no idea what we were going to do without her. Our Club Coordinator mentioned this to Nichol and she said “this is absolutely my favorite thing to do!” Along with another volunteer, Nichol has blessed all of us so much by adorning the room with beautiful decorations month after month. Nichol got to witness how extra special this added touch makes the young mamas at club feel just this last week…

“After setting up for Club each month and volunteering with table decor and fresh flowers, I have the privilege of hanging out with all the moms and the volunteers.

Watching guarded hearts open up with relief knowing that each girl is welcomed into this loving environment; that’s something that I really enjoy observing. Just this last week at Club, we raffled fresh flowers as part of a giveaway and as one of the sweet moms was given her raffle gift, she was wearing the most beautiful smile as she said she has never been given flowers before. I knew, as soon as she said those words, that she was genuinely thankful for Young Lives. I was thankful too, to have been there to see this happen. And to remember why serving these girls, while glorifying Jesus and allowing Him to use me, can make a big impact by showing kind hearts.

Nichol Duenes

My name is Erika Lieu and it’s my first year serving as a mentor for Young Lives. It has been a privilege to get to know a few of the young moms personally even if it was just for a season. I admire you all for your courage of stepping up and doing all you can for your precious babies.

I want to share the story of one of the moms that I’ve been so blessed to get to know. Her name is Nhi Arias. She’s been part of young lives since last year. I just met her a few months ago. She was a bit shy at first but is such a sweet girl. She told me about her family and their disapproval and her struggles as a new mom. She enjoys coming to club and hanging out with the other moms. She doesn’t feel alone. I would ask her what she thought about the messages she’d hear at club and she said its nice and all but since she’s a Buddhist, she couldn’t believe that stuff.

A few weeks ago, she was having a tough night. She fought with her mom earlier and was just feeling alone and hopeless. As her baby and boyfriend slept, she sat there weeping. Suddenly she felt a great warmth around her and knew it was God’s presence. She said she realized that even if her family was against her, she knew God loved her and had been showing her his love through people at young lives and at the clinic she was attending that without knowing her were pouring out love to her. God had always been there and for the first time she felt that He was real and loves her no matter what. The next day when we spoke she told me she felt like a whole new person and knew that God was her father, loves her unconditionally and that everyone had to know.
I was just in awe hearing her express her new found faith in God. This verse came to mind about how God makes us new.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone, a new life has begun”  2 Corinthians 5:17

It doesn’t matter what your life is like now, God can make it new. I just want you all to know how precious you each are to God and how much he loves you and continues to pursue you. I’m excited to see how God is working in Nhi’s life. I can’t wait to see her reach her goals in life. She’s a much happier person now with more confidence knowing that God is with her every step on the way.

Hi my name is Yaneliz I’m 19 and I have a beautiful 2 year old and her name is Harmony.

I got introduced to YoungLives when I was pregnant and have been involved ever since then. I went to camp, go to club, and started going to church when Myrna invited us. We weren’t sure because we had only gone to Catholic Church before. In the past we felt like people at church would look down on you and judge you because you have a child so young so we finally decided to go and it was amazing not only where you welcomed but I felt like family they love you and don’t judge you. Me and my boyfriend both graduated from High School and I am in college now.

So Sunday was our first time back at church for what seemed like an eternity and well we got there. And you just feel this sense of belonging not only because you know people there but because every one welcomes you back with open arms. Not only did it feel good to come back but I saw that my daughter was so happy and playing she was so excited to show me her painting I’ve never seen her that happy than Sunday morning at church.

Being a teen mom is hard but not impossible and YoungLives has really taught me a lot I’m so glad we have them in our lives and we couldn’t have asked for a better person like Myrna she’s like our second mom. I am looking forward to going back to church with my daughter and boyfriend next week!

-Yaneliz

On Tuesday we had our second official Santa Ana club! It was so great to see both new and familiar faces. Over a year ago I started volunteering with Younglives at the Huntington Beach Clubs, and it quickly became evident that God was beginning a great work in Santa Ana as well. It has been so exciting to be a part of what He is up to here. We had a Valentines theme for this club, which was displayed in the beautiful centerpieces, the message, the crafts, and the yummy cupcakes and candies (I personally ate about 7 pieces).

After a delicious dinner of lasagna, the night was kicked off with a hysterical game/skit, followed by a great message. Mike Rigdon, who is planting a church in Santa Ana, shared a message of love that goes deeper than all of the Valentine’s candies and teddy bears. He told of the love that Jesus has for us. Even though we ALL have sin within us, Christ came and died on the cross and then rose three days later for YOU and ME. In this, He bore the weight of all of our sin and shame and conquered sin and death. The same power that rose Jesus from the grave lives inside of us. He did this out of abundant grace. How cool is that?! Although we all wrestle with sin, there is hope beyond this struggle. Jesus will lead us into His victory over sin each day as we surrender ourselves to Him. His love is far greater than anything we could fathom. WOAH.

After the message, the guys went out and played a soccer game while the girls decorated and personalized their own mugs and filled them with candy. We shared a lot of laughs, and I was very impressed with their decorating skills! It was so sweet to gather with all of the girls, their boyfriends, their babies, and the incredible volunteers as we celebrated a day dedicated to love. I am so thankful for God’s continual provision in Younglives. Tonight I was reminded that Jesus is for us. There’s nothing you or I can do for Him to stop loving us. This is the best Valentine’s gift I could possibly imagine. Thank you Jesus.

-Ellen Bosch

We would love for some volunteers to join our team and serve the new Santa Ana YoungLives club. We meet on the first Tuesday of each month at Newsong Church.

What is YoungLives?
YoungLives is focused on building relationships with teen moms and dads by entering their world, modeling unconditional love, and encouraging them to become the men and women, and fathers and mothers, God created them to be. Through one-on-one mentoring, monthly clubs and annual camps, teen moms and dads are empowered to make positive choices, set and achieve goals, and live a future rooted in Christ.

Volunteers serve as mentors, meeting one-on-one with teen moms or dads twice a month, or at monthly clubs, assisting with food, crafts, decorations, music or childcare. We also have several special events throughout the year and fundraising opportunities for volunteers looking for other ways to serve in this ministry. If you are interested in volunteering please contact us at northocyounglives@gmail.com

Mentor
Walk with a teen mom or dad for one school year.  This often looks like doing things together such as going to the park, sharing your story with them or helping them register for college classes. Your mentor relationship depends on you and your mentee’s needs and can often look different from person to person.

Commitment: Meet twice monthly with your mentee, attend Club (1st Tuesday of each month), and mentor meetings (2nd Thursday of each month). Complete and pass a background check, driver questionnaire and faith and conduct agreement.

Childcare
Love holding babies or playing with toddlers? This is the perfect place for you to serve. We offer childcare at our once a month clubs and at special occasions (like prom).

Commitment: Once a month, be on a team of  that loves on babies and toddlers while their moms and dads enjoy a craft, music, and speaker. Club happens the 1st Tuesday of each month in Santa Ana. Once a year, help with YoungLives Prom childcare. Complete and pass a background check and sign a faith and conduct agreement.

Food Team
Prepare a home-cooked meal for the teen parents, children and volunteers to enjoy at club on the first Tuesday of each month. Many of them would say that this is the best meal they have all month- great food and great company all in one.

Commitment:  First Tuesday of each month. Join a team that has a heart for service and enjoys being in the kitchen. With your team plan meals for upcoming clubs and work together each month to cook up a meal within the budget whether it is spaghetti, enchiladas, or one of your family recipes.

Music TeamHelp break down barriers by leading us in song at club! Singers and musicians welcome

Commitment: Work within provided music/song selection guidelines to create a fun atmosphere along with other team members. Bring your own instruments and provide lyrics for club each month.

Photographer
Capture memories by taking pictures of the teen parents and their growing children and all of the fun things we get to do at club.

Commitment: Take pictures on the first Tuesday of each month and provide them via SD card or online within 3-4days.

Decorations Team
Set the stage by decorating the tables according to the month’s theme- Bach to School, Christmas, Valentines etc. This added touch says “you are welcome here.”

Commitment: Work within budget to purchase decorations and arrive at 5pm on the first Tuesday of each month to set-up.

Craft Team
Lead teen moms and mentors in a fun craft at club. This gives us an opportunity to bond while learning how to make something.

Commitment: Work within budget to provide 20 minute craft. Purchase supplies in advance and arrive early on the first Tuesday of each month to set-up.

Other Roles
Sound tech, set-up, tear-down, childcare coordinator, donations coordinator, committee member etc.

Crystal’s testimony was shown on the big screen at the Orlando World Center Marriott last week where 5000 Young Life staff and their spouses gathered to celebrate Young Life’s 75th anniversary. We could not be more proud of Crystal and are so excited to see how the Lord continues to use her!

Yousef and I have experienced a newfound appreciation and respect for teen moms and dads these last 3 and a half weeks. Holding our very own child has not only opened up a part of our hearts we didn’t even know existed towards our own firstborn, but also towards the teen parents that YoungLives is all about. 

People told us parenting would be hard. They told us that the first month, even first year, could be the hardest thing our marriage would endure… but nothing could have prepared us for what it would really be like. Nothing could prepare us for the tears of joy and awe when we first laid eyes on him. Nothing could prepare me for the way that his cries instantly ceased when they put him on my chest seconds after being born- the way that he knew me as mama. Nothing could prepare us for the excitement every time he does something new- from smiling, to peeing on us for the first time, to grabbing a hold of our finger. Nothing could prepare us for what they all meant when they said it would be hard- the exhaustion, the tears, the difficult feedings, and not being able to quiet his cries.

To all the mothers that did it on their own- we are amazed by you. Not only did you endure all of this, but you gave up your own teenage life to care for your little one. You stayed up all night countless times and still went to school the next morning. You fed, clothed, and bathed your child and still managed to work, be there for friends and family, and so much more.

To all the fathers that stuck around- we are so glad that you did. You stood by her even when it was rough. There were ups and downs- and there still are today- but seeing your child, a piece of you, smile back at you makes it all worth it. Not all boys that have children choose to be fathers, but you did.

I can’t help but see a glimpse of Jesus in all of this. Watching the incredible sacrifice it takes for my young friends to be parents- they literally lay down their own lives every single day for their children. That is a beautiful picture of love. But even more so a glimpse of how Jesus loves us. That he would lay down his life for us, his children.

So today we dressed Elijah in a Young Life Shirt. We are so excited that he gets to be a part of this ministry where so many come around and support teenagers that are doing one of the hardest things that I myself have experienced- being a parent. Elijah gets to grow up knowing some of the bravest young people I have known and look up to an amazing community that surrounds them. As we spend these weeks cuddling with our little guy we look forward to being back with everyone in a few weeks. I could not be more sure that there is nothing else I would rather do than walk alongside these young mothers, fathers and their children. You all amaze me.-Myrna and Yousef Bittar

It’s that time of year again!

As we move into a season of celebration of our saviors birth, we are blessed with another opportunity to serve the moms,dads, and children of Young Lives. Each year at Christmas time we host a “Christmas boutique”at the Young Lives monthly club. In preparation for this event we ask the church for donations for the boutique. We ask for gently used girl,boy, and baby clothing and toys. It is amazing to watch the generosity of Gods people be poured out as our garage is literally bursting at the seams with donations!

The last two weeks have been spent sorting, sizing, and organizing. Again, I am blessed by the outpouring of love, not only in the giving but in the hard work of preparing. So many things to sort through!
The day of the club we load it all up (it took a van and two trucks) to move it to the location of the Christmas club. A group of awesome volunteers came early to set up all these donations for the boutique for the girls and guys to “shop”. There was a “store” for clothing and a “store for baby items.

Each young person received 20 tickets that was used as payment, one ticket per item. We were also blessed with 15 brand new toys and a bike! These items were raffled off at the end of the night. As if this weren’t enough to get excited about, the kids were also blessed by a delicious homemade Christmas dinner, beautiful Christmas decorations, gift cards, and hand written notes from their mentors. This night was an incredible time for us to pour out the lavish, incomparable love of Christ on these kids! The most important time of the night though, happens during the club talk, where the story of the birth of Christ is shared. We talked about why Jesus came, to reconcile us to God, and invite the kids into relationship with Him. As much as we are blessed to bless the kids immensely, we are super blessed to see Jesus change hearts and lives!
It is indeed “The most wonderful time of the year!”