Exciting reports are coming in from CEF^® 5-Day Club^® ministry across the country. It has been a fruitful summer. Glenna Trotter, CEF missionary in Miami, Florida said, “The ministry in Miami has been absolutely AMAZING! We have reached about 500 children through 5-Day Clubs and 104 children have prayed to receive Christ.” 

However, the excitement does not stop there! Glenna’s stories of children and families being changed and being the catalyst for change in their families are thrilling. Take Trina* for example.

Trina attended a 5-Day Club in the home of Delia, a believer who wanted to make a difference in her neighborhood. Trina has a brother and a sister and during the week all three children came to know Jesus as their personal Savior.

Trina, like most children in 5-Day Clubs, was enthralled with the story of Ti Fam, Witch Doctor's Daughter.  Each day she wanted to know more, both about her newfound Savior and about Ti-Fam in Haiti, where voodoo is practiced by a significant percentage of the population. 

In Miami the influence of voodoo is strong as well. According to Glenna, Santeria is a commonly practiced, occult religion there and in some parts of South America. It is a mix of voodoo and Catholic beliefs. The followers worship saints as well as various gods through iconic worship, sacrifices (most commonly of chickens and goats, although there are rumors of other animals used as well), the wearing of various charms and burning candles.

One day Trina arrived at 5-Day Club early and began speaking with Delia, telling her about her day at summer camp and showing her the new necklace she had gotten. “My daddy gave it to me,” she said, “for good luck.” The necklace had red and white beads that Delia recognized.

“Did you know that necklace is from the same type of religion as the one that Ti-Fam's father believed in? That charm is like the one that Ti-Fam wore in the story. It is not good.  In fact, it is directly against what the Bible teaches us about what we should believe.”Trina's eyes grew large and she grabbed the necklace from her neck. Flinging it as far away from her as she could, she yelled, “Oh! I didn't know!” Glenna said, “That day I believe a stronghold in that little girl’s life was broken.” Later Trina’s parents came to Delia asking what was happening with their children because they were talking about the things they were learning in 5-Day Club and their behavior was improving. Recently Delia and her husband, Juan, had coffee with the couple, explaining the Gospel and telling them why their children were different now. The couple listened then said, “I think we need this. Can you tell us how we can have what our kids have?” 

Delia and Juan were happy to explain the Gospel and gladly continue to disciple the couple. As the fruitfulness of summer ushers in the harvest of fall, they plan to start a Good News Club to continue reaching the children in their neighborhood.

*Not her real name.