Melissa Franke, Gaskill Prep & A Rubber Chicken

     The word spread quickly in the hallways of Gaskill Prep today in Niagara Falls. The students were sharing news about a speaker in Mrs. Franke's Health Class who tossed a rubber chicken.at sleeping students. Actually nobody was sleeping in Mrs. Franke's Class. In a phenomenal display of respect, all 5 classes were among the best audiences that this speaker has ever had.

 

This was the only student who I had trouble communicating with.

   
The rubber chicken is simply an attention getting tool for laughter. I didn't need to try and get anyone's attention, these students were busy getting my attention with excellent class participation. Several times it was the students who were teaching the class. We covered drugs, alcohol, gangs, abstinence, risk, self-control, earthquakes in Nepal and riots in Baltimore. We discussed cause and effect. We explored the idea of embracing conflict as a means of personal growth. I was amazed, these 7th Graders were more like college students.

     The atmosphere at Gaskill is a very good one that's conducive to academic achievement and character growth. Melissa Franke is an excellent Teacher who helps her students do their best by helping them set their own expectations. They respect her and the people she brings into her class. When I reflect back on my day spent in her classroom, here are the words that come to mind: cordial, polite, respectful, kind, self-control, willing to learn, eager to participate, helpful, encouraging, intelligent, compassionate, empathetic, eager and happy. 

Thank you, Mrs. Franke, for all you do on behalf of children. What happens in your classroom is making the world a better place.

The photos here were taken by students who shared the camera. 
Thanks guys for your nice work.


If you are interested in bringing YWAP and the rubber chicken to your school, 
please let us know.
ywapbuffalo@yahoo.com
716-830-8240
www.youthwithapurpose.org
JLYASDW 

WEST SIDE NEIGHBORS GET TOUGH ON JOHNS

     Winter's icy grip on Buffalo is finally giving way to a softening of the ground. New life is pushing up through the earth. All of Mother Nature's renewed vigor is contagious on the West Side of Buffalo. Neighbors springing into action. They are banding together to turn a blight spot into a Bright Spot.

  Johns are people who pay for sex. People who sell their bodies for sex are prostitutes. The neighbors are posting signs letting johns know that if you bring your luridness in our neighborhoods, you're being watched and we will call the Police. I applaud their efforts and I urge you to help in any way you can.

     As a youth director on the West Side for over 12 years, I've seen many wounded people who will do anything for drugs, money or even a place to sleep. Statistics show that 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys are physically abused. I've watched many people continue the cycle of abuse that was perpetrated upon them. They feel dirty about themselves and gravitate more dirt because they think they deserve it. Victims become victimizers and promulgate the victimization. Some guys pimp their girls just to make some money. Some girls support their families by selling their bodies. I have prayer walked the city and I will continue to do so. There's no proselytization involved - just simple love. When I get the opportunity to look in someone's eyes who is shackled by street life, there is one message I hope to convey;

"You are uniquely beautiful and loved just the way you are. God made you in his image and you are special in his eyes."

     The Bible speaks about action. James 2:25-26 says;

"Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works
when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
For as the body without the spirit is dead,
so faith without works is dead also."

Rahab was a prostitute who supported her family by selling her body. She received messengers who prayed. She was delivered from a life of prostitution. My faith tells me what my works should be. A neighborhood is made up of many parts working together. My works are prayers that bring a message of love. I hurt for folks who sell themselves. I hurt for folks who live a street life. I hurt for anybody who does not value and esteem the preciousness of each human being.

Every year we lead kids in neighborly projects. We pray, work and show love to folks we never met and may never see again. Good things are happening on the West Side of Buffalo, New York.

     I applaud the neighbors on the West Side of Buffalo for taking action. I urge you to support them. Post a sign if you can. Report any suspicious activity to the Police. Tell a prostitute that God loves them. Say a prayer. I will support them by prayer walking Grant St. I will support them by looking for Jesus in the eyes of everyone I meet. Imagine the West Side as a place where the abused were healed by the love of God through us. The johns wouldn't have any bodies to abuse. Just maybe they would begin to understand what love really is. Somewhere they learned how to be dirty. 

Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.

Jesus loves you and so do we. #JLYASDW

A MAN AT A WOMEN'S CONFERENCE

     Free chocolate is always a good reason to attend a conference. But how would a guy get the chocolate if it was available only to attendees of a Women's Conference? Actually, I had no idea that the Relentless Women's Conference in Buffalo would net me two pieces of chocolate. I'm a guy and I couldn't register for the Conference and receive any chocolate. Guys don't receive benefits from a Women's Conference or do they?

    Soon after we were married, my wife proved how much she loves me by moving to Buffalo, N.Y. from Phoenix, Az. The month of February separates the two cities by almost eighty degrees (Fahrenheit.) After Linda arrived in balmy Buffalo, there were several ministries I suggested to my wife that would assure her continued growth as a spiritual juggernaut (she would never use that term, but I can.) Just Joy Ministries under the leadership of Carol McLeod was at the top of the list. Carol has a way of being highly impactful to a large group while making each person feel like she has their heart in her hands. My wife is like that and I knew Carol's ministry would find a place in her heart. Linda was the Leader of a Prophetic Prayer Team at Without Walls Christain Center in Az. In Buffalo, she's a member of the Buffalo Niagara Healing Rooms. Linda wanted to attend the Conference. I think God answered her thoughts. A very kind friend reached into Linda's heart and deposited a ticket for the Conference. I signed up to be a volunteer "valet-dude." (I was unaware of the free chocolate but I did get free coffee.)


     My wife has been suffering from a sprain her back for almost ten months. After several mountain trips and city mission trips with kids last year, Linda's back gave out. We made plans to attend the Conference on Friday night. We agreed that I would be ready to take her home if the pain became overwhelming. I spent the first hour outside with some other guys as we welcomed the ladies to the Relentless Conference. It was a blast, I smiled at all the kind ladies and said: "It's good to see ya!" A few of the guys parked cars and some of us just held the doors open. After about an hour we moved inside; that's when the "man-benefits" began.

     The worship was cool, deep and moving. The first speakers we heard were a couple of ladies who did a phenomenal job of introducing the Conference. I believe their names were Monica and Angel. They made us laugh as they poured vital information into our ears. They had a natural gift of love flowing between them which they shared with the audience. Carol introduced a speaker who knocked our socks off. She was a cancer survivor who told a story about her son with a bullet lodged in his forehead after being shot through his windshield. The bullet penetrated the skin and stopped. I think they put a band-aid over the wound. Survival is a heart condition that runs in her family.

     Carol McLeod is kind of like a meteorite of encouragement cascading from the heavens. She knows perseverance like it's a personal friend. Overcomer, friend, wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, Christ follower - she is a whole cloud of witnesses all rolled into one heart. My benefits received included truth, worship, prayer, a deeper friendship with some guys, encouragement through Christ and some chocolate.

     On Saturday morning, I woke up to a piece of chocolate on my nightstand. Linda went to the Conference all day Saturday while I attended a Prayer Walk For Life in Buffalo. My wife spent the day giving and receiving love in mass quantities. She also shared her chocolate! The second piece of chocolate was given to me on Sunday after church. I have a joy in fasting before any church service I attend so my wife packs me a small lunch to eat after church. The special atmosphere created during the Conference continued on Sunday morning. When Pastor Craig McLeod was beginning his sermon, his words somehow became a prayer in my heart for my wife. He spoke and his words seemed to reverberate in my heart as a prayer. I did plead the Blood of Jesus over my wife and especially her back. I watched, listened and prayed even as other folks around me prayed. I know there was a prayer team active during the whole Women's Conference. Prayer is changing Buffalo (along with some chocolate!) I hope there's another Just Joy Ministries Women's Conference soon.

Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we. #JLYASDW

Pastor Fred Naedele is Still Saving Lives From Heaven

      As a Youth Director for many years, my heart easily breaks for wounded kids. I reached into my desk drawer earlier today, the Holy Cards (from funerals) of several deceased kids caught my eye. I hate it when kids die - on both sides of the womb. Pastor Fred Naedele and I had that in common - we love kids on both sides of the womb.


           On Saturday, April 25, 2015, I will be prayer walking the streets of Buffalo. There's an 8 am Mass at St. Rose of Lima, 500 Parker Avenue in Buffalo. Following the Service, there's a Prayer Walk to an abortion chamber at 2500 Main St. for anybody who's interested. Pastor Fred had a heart for children who were victims of abortion. Sometimes his prayer walking lead him to a jail cell. He demonstrated commitment in the most persevering manner. Fred was all about saving lives and making disciples. We've been trying to follow in his footsteps at Youth With A Purpose for the last 12 years. My prayer walk for children on both sides of the womb will follow in Fred's footsteps.

          Another young man who was like a son to me would have had a birthday on the day of the prayer walk. DeMario (Spizzy) McCain would have been 24 years old on April 25, 2015. He died because somebody decided to shoot him. Children die in many ways and it's always a tragedy. I miss Spizzy and I miss Fred. I'm walking in prayer, crying out to God on behalf of kids and folks like Fred who cried out before me. Fred taught me how to cry.

      On Friday, April 24, Pastor Fred would have been 83 years old. One of my favorite past times is associating numbers with Bible verses. 

Psalm 83:1-5 A song. A Psalm of Asaph.
1 Keep not silence, O God; hold not Your peace or be still, O God.
2 For, behold, Your enemies are in tumult, and those who hate You have raised their heads.
3 They lay crafty schemes against Your people and consult together against Your hidden and precious ones.
4 They have said, Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be in remembrance no more.
5 For they have consulted together with one accord and one heart; against You they make a covenant"

Psalm 119:83 "I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke, exhausted with waiting. But still I cling to your laws and obey them."

Song of Solomon 8:3  (To the Daughters of Jerusalem)

"His left hand is under my head, And his right hand embraces me."

Daniel 8:3 "Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and there, standing beside the river, was a ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last."

Matthew 8:3 "Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed."

Acts 8:3 "As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, 

and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison."

Romans 8:3 "For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, 

on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,"

Here's one for DeMario who would have been 24 years old.

Psalm 24 

The King of Glory and His Kingdom
A Psalm of David.

The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
2 For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters.
3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who may stand in His holy place?

4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him,
Who seek Your face. Selah

7 Lift up your heads, O you gates!
And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Lift up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory. Selah

Thank's God for Fred's life and thank's for DeMario's life.

Jesus loves you and so do we.

#JLYASDW

If you'd like to read a great article about Pastor Fred, check out what Rob Palaszewski wrote in Thrive Magazine,

http://www.bluetoad.com/article/THE+MEASURE+OF+THE+MAN/143521/0/article.html