Summer 2016 | valleyfree.org

WE ARE ALL BROKEN PAGE 3

ROMANIA UPDATE PAGE 8

2016 GRADUATES PAGE 5

P A G E 2

Pastor Cristi didn’t recognize the two guys that were approaching him. Yet, they clearly knew his name and, reading the look on his face, quickly expressed their awkward conclusion – “You don’t remember us, do you?” Before he became the pastor of our sister church in Romania, Pastor Cristi led a ministry to the homeless. He and his team did all they could to provide meals, shelter, friendship and anything else they could to help these folks in their desperate situations. That help also extended to helping kids who were living on the edge of homelessness. The ministry would help with doctor visits, advocating with families or simply buying school supplies. Anything to steer them away from the cliff of homelessness. That’s where our two young men come into the picture.

That ministry, known as Never Alone, ceased to exist some years ago. But here, years later, stood these men with their small children, running and playing as they conversed with Cristi.

“Some years ago, you invested in our

lives. You advocated for us at the

schools and you provided school

supplies so we could stay in school.

You stood with us at a crucial moment

in our lives.” Pastor Cristi still didn’t

recognize these boys that were now

adults with families. They continued

with their comments with heartfelt

sincerity, “We have never forgotten

what you did for us. Thank you.”

That investment and selfless sacrifice for others is in the DNA of Pastor Cristi and the family of our sister church, Adunarea Speranta Vie. During my recent visit to Romania, I saw the lives and heard the stories, over and over again, of lives turned in the direction of wholeness because of this spirit of investing. In my privilege to observe their ministry and passion, it didn’t take long to praise the Lord for Valley Free and that same sense of investment in people that we might take for granted. We recently celebrated this investment in the next generations during our Children’s Education Sunday. How I praise God for Sunday School teachers (children, teens and adult classes). But I also look at the bigger view of our congregation and I see that investment at so many other levels. Our LifeGroups are incubators for life-on-life interaction that, at its heart, is investing in the lives of others. We also have couples mentoring other couples in the arena of marriage and family. There are bible study and discussion groups that are under the radar but focused on helping others to grow in Christ. I could go on. The panorama of mentoring and

investing in others is indeed encouraging. Pastor Cristi’s story sheds light on the importance of seizing the moment to invest in others. One has to ask, “Why did God bring about that discussion for Cristi?” The busy pastor had forgotten all about the interaction, the investment in the lives of these once young boys. God didn’t have to bring the memory to the surface. But He did. My thought on it? God delights in opening our eyes to see the heavenly realm and the fruit of our labor. I know that there is so much more to be revealed when we get to heaven. But for now, I believe God delights in giving us glimpses into how His leading in our own lives results in the saving and redirecting of others into God’s abundance. For the young men, it brought about a

profound sense of gratitude. For Cristi, and for us, it brought a reminder to be faithful in the moment, to follow through on the promptings and passion the Holy Spirit leads us in. I pray that God has many opportunities to reveal His heavenly work to us. That our steps of faith, extending a hand of fellowship or offering a way up for someone would result in eternal blessings for others. May our simple efforts to be a blessing to others result in God’s Kingdom being established in our families and community!

Press on Valley Free –

God is at work through you!

By Pastor Mike Sindelar

P A G E 3

Once upon a time I was a college professor. It was a great job and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The subject matter was right up my alley, my classes were small, and we built relationships and learned together about Christian Education. It was wonderful—until they asked me to teach the “exceptional learners” class (read: special needs). The curriculum was secular and trying very hard to be politically correct. To be honest, it was a depressing class. I’m sure my students were not thrilled to begin their days with the authors of the book any more than I was. We walked through nearly every “exceptionality” imaginable for 12 long weeks. Blindness, ADHD, Down Syndrome, the Asperger’s/Autism spectrum, deafness, traumatic brain injury, and on and on it went. The case studies presented seemed to be worst-case scenarios that we needed to work through and solve. One student commented how they were glad to take the class in a Christian college because they could not imagine how a secular school would treat each “exceptionality.” The text offered no hope and instead dragged like a weight around our necks. By the end of the semester we had all found ourselves somewhere in the pages we’d read, identified with a class discussion, and just felt broken. And that was the turning point we needed. It was the place where, as an educator, you can turn the page, knowing your students really understand, and start with the “new” paradigm they’ve discovered. The truths uncovered that day and for the remainder of the class sessions were beautiful.

By Shelley Batdorf, Children’s Education Director

In visiting with parents of children with special needs, especially those on the Autism spectrum, we found that a great help for

them would be to have access to rocking chairs. Rhythmic movement is soothing for anyone, but especially those with

Asperger’s/Autism. In addition to the rocking chairs in the foyer, we have also added a chair to each classroom.

we are all bro·ken

We are ALL broken. No one’s body is perfect. Let me say that again—we are ALL broken.

The Fall affected us all. No one escapes.

For many of us, our brokenness is hidden or can be helped with medication, glasses, hearing aids, etc. It is relatively easy to look unbroken, to hide our imperfections. Not everyone can do that.

God values our souls, the eternal part of us that lives in relationship with Him. Being everyone has a soul, we are all valuable and all should be cared for as such.

Treat everyone as broken. Be extravagantly gracious. And gentle. Seek to understand, and when you can, help.

Brokenness may not be hidden. Be a champion, an encourager to those who need it. Find out where specific needs lie and offer help. Parents and caregivers are often tired and isolated.

Many families dealing with special needs welcome questions regarding their children. They would rather be asked to help someone understand than be ignored, or worse.

Eventually the semester ended and for some, the needs and cares they’d interfaced with stayed with them. Everyone walked out with eyes willing to see those around them, to really look and be ready to esteem another. And we all freely admitted that because of our brokenness, because of the Fall and its ramifications, we all, every last one of us, need Jesus. By His grace, we are all valued, we all have worth. Jesus died for all of us whether our brokenness is hidden or highly visible.

P A G E 4

This past week I was asked to share about my own personal

journey as Will’s mom. Let me begin by saying that I believe God

is the creator of all things. He does not make mistakes, never

needs a plan B and will never be caught off-guard. As such, I am

comforted in knowing that my son’s Autism did not happen by

accident nor did it take God by surprise.

When I first received his diagnosis, I remember initially feeling

angry at God and my faith was tested in a major way. After all, it

took me several years to get pregnant and I felt as if my child was

a direct answer to my prayer.

I did not choose Autism – it chose me. As a believer, perhaps the best answer to “why me” can be found in the ninth chapter of John. As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” So one of the questions asked of me was, “What would I like others to understand about my son and those with special needs?” I personally wasn’t sure where to begin, but thought I would take part of another mom’s story and add it to mine.

My son’s condition is not a “curse” nor is it an affliction,

but rather a gift that is being used to enrich and bless

those around him, beginning with me. It is an interesting

journey that parent’s like me are on. I feel like we’re a little

different. We find ourselves standing in a group of peers

feeling like we are on the outside. We can’t relate and yet

we can. I think we find ourselves worried about all the

same things as other parents and at the same time none of

the same things. We live in a world all our own. A world

created for us by the unique needs of our children. One

thing I know for sure, that traditional rules and definitions

of parenting don’t often apply to our situation.

~Kathryn Sneed, www.singingintherain.net

I know I personally struggle to feel happy when Will is doing well

“All things considered” while facing the devastation that my son

will never be like the “normal” child. NEVER will he be

“normal”. Our “Normal” is not normal, and so our definition of

“doing well”, “thriving,” and “success” must be different from

those parents of the “normal” child.

While most parents are hoping their kid makes the school soccer

team, parents like me are just hoping our child hits his “normal”

milestones like walking, talking, reading and writing. Academic

success in our house is not how well he does in school, but rather

if he physically made it to school with no bad reports. After school

activities? We have them too. But instead of swimming and soccer,

ours are often Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech.

While other parents are trying to learn to let go, parents like me

are trying to learn to let go too. Only we are trying to let go of our

own dream that our kids will have a normal childhood or

adulthood. We’re trying to let go and accept doing well “all things

considered” is as good as it’s going to get. We are trying to let go

of false hope and come to grips with the fact we will have to keep

saying “No, actually it won’t” every time someone insists it will get

better.

Parents like me rarely do coffee or lunch dates. We don’t get

much alone time. Compared to most “normal” moms I’m physically

a mess, still living in the survival phase of a newborn many years

later. Eating, sleeping, playing and living often need special

attention, care or modification. While other parents are worried

about their kid’s bedtime schedules getting messed up, parents

like me are wondering if we are going to get any sleep at all or

what time our child will end up in our bed.

Parents like me have kids who deal with a lot. Childhood even in

the best situation can be hard and heartbreaking and confusing.

We have to watch our kids deal with all of it and then some.

What I hate about parents like me is there are SO many of us. I hate that so many children have to fight the seemingly impossible. Their families struggle in silence. They feel alone and isolated when surrounded by peers. Please know, even though you may not see us, parents like me are everywhere…even here at Valley Free.

P A G E 7

For Kids: Priceless Jewel at the Well-The Diary of Rebekah’s Nursemaid by Anne Tyra Adams Travel back in time to the Old Testament. Eleven-year-old Alisah goes to live with Rebekah to aid her aging nurse, Deborah, and raise money to support her family. Through Deborah's stories, Alisah learns of Rebekah's generous spirit and faithful love

and records the details in her diary. This is a must read for all girls who want to know more about the famous women of the Bible. Written in a journal style, you will get a personal, inside look at what life was like during those times.

For Teens/Adults:

Me, Myself, & Bob-A True Story About Dreams, God, and Talking Vegetables, by Phil Vischer It all started in 1990, in a little spare bedroom with an idea. A big idea to create videos for kids that taught Sunday morning value, but still had Saturday morning fun. And so with that, Bob and Larry were born.

VeggieTales and Big Idea Inc. creator, Phil Vischer, takes you on an incredible journey from when he was just a kid with dreams of making movies to the painful experience of losing the rights to his characters and company. As you read this book, you will laugh and possibly cry at the story of how VeggieTales came to be. Hold on to your seats because “have we got a story for you!”

By Katharine Menning

For Adults:

Love Comes Softly, by Janette Oke Marty and her husband, Clem, have big dreams as they set out for the West to stake their claim on some land and start a new home. But when an accident takes Clem’s life leaving Marty alone and pregnant without a home, she becomes bitter towards God and is at a loss at what to do. But when a kindly widower, Clark Davis, asks Marty to come care for his little daughter, she agrees. Over the months, Marty

finds herself falling in love with this handsome stranger who helps fall in love with someone even greater: Jesus.

Summer Schedule

June 8—Crux Night, 6-8pm

June 22—Crux Night, 6-8pm

July 13—Crux Night, 6-8pm

July 21-24—Camp of the Master Register at vefcyouth.com

July 27—Crux Night, 6-8pm

*Watch for more information regarding activity and

location information online or via Facebook and email.

150 Engler Blvd

Chaska, MN 55318

952-448-6144

Worship Services—Sundays | 9:00 am Valley Night @ the Chaska Cubs—July 19, 6:00 pm Baptism Ceremony—July 10, 11:00 am River City Days—July 29-30

Kid’s Day Camp—August 1-4, 6:00-8:30 pm

P A G E 8

Some months ago, I asked Pastor Cristi if he could give me a list of things they needed for the ministry. At the top of the list was a washing machine. How does a washing machine make it to the list of needs for a church ministry? Fair question. It comes into focus when you realize that the machine is needed to support the work of the church with the street people of Pitesti, Romania, the city where our sister church is located. Each Monday morning, the homeless of the city are invited to the church to take a shower and to wash their clothes. In the evening, they are invited back for their own worship service and a home-cooked meal.

Lives lived in the danger and the hopelessness of the streets find a refuge, if for only a short time, from their precarious life of homelessness. Who would have thought that a washing machine could come to symbolize the passion of Believers to share the gospel with those who so desperately need the hope that can only come from Jesus? What other images portray the work of Adunarea Speranta Vie, our sister church? There is the picture of kids dancing, singing and worshiping together every week. Not long ago, none of them had heard of Jesus Christ or the gospel, now they are leaning to worship Him and turn their lives over to His truth. There is a team of people from our sister church that give of themselves so that these kids

will have a chance at life and an opportunity to know Christ. These volunteers have full-time jobs yet spend their evenings and their Sundays ministering to the kids of the Razboieni neighborhood. Without this hope and support, these kids live severely at-risk lives. Many of them come from abusive homes, some are at risk of being trafficked into slavery and most live on the edge of being forced onto the street. Yet, there they are, hearing about Jesus and learning the hope that comes from Him. Another image might be that of the team leading the homeless ministry. Many of them are teenagers that have come from a rural village and from a small church in the country. They have come to the city, to Adunarea Speranta Vie, because they want to make a difference with their faith. These teens come into the city every Monday to serve the homeless. They do it with joy and a sense of worship. They come from a church that preaches the gospel but doesn’t seem to be able to reach their own teens. They lack creativity that captures the imagination of the teens. Neither are they too

By Pastor Mike Sindelar

P A G E 9

concerned about what the teens need. On top of that, the teens will hear the same sermons and topics preached for weeks at a time. The teaching isn’t deep, relevant or inspiring. So they seek to serve somewhere, anywhere. Adunarea Speranta Vie is working closely with the church leaders from the country to ensure that they are not seen as stealing people but rather investing in teens. The church leaders have overcome their skepticism and are glad to have Speranta Vie teaching them how to serve and minister in the gospel. During my recent trip to Romania, it was my privilege to present a weekend retreat of teaching on the topic of Spiritual Warfare. Almost 50 ministry leaders participated. I was overwhelmed by

their eagerness to learn. These people, who serve so selflessly and passionately pour themselves into the lives of others, came to be fed from God’s Word. They took in the teaching from God’s Word with a sense of enthusiasm and readiness. For me, I was overwhelmed with what is happening with this ministry and with these people. On so many levels, God is doing amazing things. I was also deeply impressed with the nature of the ministry. They are living on the front lines of the spiritual battle. I have not seen or heard such stories of overt spiritual attack and aggression as I did on this trip to Romania. When we support our sister church in Pitesti, it is going directly to the battle front. It is going to encourage, support and equip those that are ministering God’s Word, God’s grace and God’s joy to the folks of Pitesti. The Apostle John said that, in Christ, we have all received grace upon grace. In this story and in this ministry partnership, grace is flowing freely. Grace to those who give, to those who receive and to those who hear. And sometimes, grace takes the form of a washing machine…

We exist to bring glory to God by calling all people into an abundant life with Jesus Christ

150 Engler Blvd

Chaska, MN 55318

Phone: 952-448-6144

Fax: 952-448-5119

office@valleyfree.org

www.valleyfree.org

JUNE: Canned Fruit JULY: Personal Hygiene Items

AUGUST: Cash Gifts Place donations in the marked box

near the church office.

August 1-4

Our evenings will be filled with music, skits, teaching, games, and crafts. If you like, come early for dinner before

things get going! Or spend the afternoon with more games, activities, and time in the Word.

Kids entering grades 1-6

6-8:30pm; $20/child

5-6pm; $10/person

(parents are welcome to sign up for dinner, too!)

2-5pm; $20/child Register online at valleyfree.org. Contact Shelley Batdorf (shelleyb@valleyfree.org) for more information.

Pillowcase Dresses for Operation Christmas Child made by White Cross.