Mari Isaacson

Working with children, you never know how they are going to turn out. Some reject Christ but continue to attend club due to parential persuasion or friends. Others make a decision for Jesus in the club but then later walk away from Him. There are those who don’t really understand what it means to have a relationship with the Lord Jesus till they are much older. Then you have those who really do stick with the decisions they have made as children. We work by faith, but only God knows how each child will really turn out.

Roland was one of those children you could wonder about. He was the oldest of five siblings I had the privilege to teach in club. He was very lively, intensely curious, genuinely open for many things, in truth mischievous. He wanted to have LOTS of fun… often during club time! At age 10 this rascal of a boy met Jesus at camp and it changed his life.

As a young teenager, he loved to help out with the 5-Day clubs in the summer and the 9 to 12 year olds during the school year. His enthusiasm drew the children to him like a magnet. In no time at all, he was taking on more and more responsibilities in the different groups and helping out with special events. At age 15 he preached his first sermon in church, which was excellent. Nothing could hold him down. Soon he became responsible for his own club. He was proving to be a very gifted young man.

So what became of Roland? Bible School became his next challenge. Not just any Bible School, but my Bible School, Prairie Bible here in Alberta, Canada. English is not his first language. Furthermore, learning doesn’t just take place in the classroom. Roland has grasped this truth and has been very much involved these last 3+ years with street evangelism in Calgary, teaching Indian children on a reservation, going on mission trips to Brazil and Mexico, being a dorm leader, preaching when possible, and much more. Moreover, he is a husband. Both Roland and Brittany have a real love for the Lord Jesus and want to serve Him full-time on the mission field.

Working with children really does pay off. Yes, there are lots of disappointments. Many children decide to go their own way and do their own thing once they are too old for the clubs. Nevertheless, there are those gems God brings your way that turn out to do even greater things than you could have imagined. Who ever thought when Roland was a little troublemaker in the club that he would be headed down the road he is today? I look at my childhood. Roland doesn’t even know the meaning of the word “troublemaker”! But someone believed in me.

Child Evangelism Fellowship believes in children.  Do you? Our hearts desire is to reach the children for Jesus Christ. Is it yours? Is there a Roland in your life just waiting for you to invest in him?

Mari Isaacson

Children never cease to totally amaze me. I am awed by their sincerity, their honesty. But this one child I will never forget.

It was a big children’s pumpkin festival at the end of October that CEF Alberta was privileged to be a part of. We had the wonderful task of sharing the gospel with hundreds of children and their parents in 15-minute presentations. We took turns. It was fun. It was fascinating. It was challenging. It was totally rewarding!

At the end of each slot two children had the opportunity to win something. The task of asking the questions and giving out the gifts was given to me and I greatly enjoyed it. One gift was extra special. It was also only for a child under 5 years of age. It was supposed to go to some very special child. But how do you pick out that special child in the midst of hundreds that would show up during the 3 hour program? So I prayed. Continually.

There came a point during the afternoon where I felt the Spirit say “Now.” So, I called all the 3 and 4 year olds down to the front. The question I asked these little ones I had asked many times before. “What was the most special thing God created?”

Anticipating the normal “me” response, I was surprised when this little girl, full of pride, replied; “my brother!” Immediately the brother, around 7 or 8 years old, jumped up from his seat, pointed to himself, and excitedly shouted, “That’s me! That’s me! She’s talking about me!”

Their mother was also in the audience. She was overwhelmed. Awed. Her reply filled with emotion; “you can’t imagine how much that means to me…”

We had found that special child.

But you know, to God YOU are that special child. Have you ever taken the time to meditate on Psalm 139? It’s all about what God thinks about you! Just a sample is found in verses 14 to 16:

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

God doesn’t stop there with His love for us. Read verses 17 and 18!

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you.

Do you grasp the implications of those two verses? He is constantly thinking about you. He is always there. We don’t always feel His presence, but He is there nonetheless. Moreover, He wants us to trust Him. Are you willing to wait upon Him?

Wait Upon Me

By Mari Isaacson

Wait upon Me, my child,

Though it’s difficult and dreary around.

Wait upon Me, my child,

Don’t you perceive I’m your solid ground.

I love you, My child,

Can’t you fathom it’s true.

I love you, My child,

And I’m ever present to bring you through.

Wait upon Me, My child,

Have confidence that I truly do care.

Wait upon Me, My child,

For I have My faultless plan to share.

Be of good courage, My child,

Look to me each day.

Be of good courage, My child,

Step out and pursue My way.

Wait upon Me, My child,

I’ll supply you with the strength you need.

Wait upon Me, My child,

Glorify Me through your life and deed.

Blessings to you as you pray that many children here in Alberta will come to know Jesus as their personal Savior! Blessings to you as you realize just how special you are to the Father. May that love continually change your life forever!

Mari Isaacson