Remember the group of young ladies that came and sang for us a few weeks ago? They were from Steppin’ Stone Farms. Well, a group of us from the Missions Committee as well as a couple others went to Steppin’ Stone Farm on Saturday, May 5, 2012. When we first arrived we were greeted by Lady –Steppin’ Stone’s mascot – a super friendly basset hound. Lady walked with us to Cindy’s home where she began the tour. She walked us down the path to the school. There’s a bell outside the school that the girls that graduate from the program get to ring upon their completion. On our way to the cottages (aptly named Faith, Hope and Love) Cindy told us how she was actually a participant in the program years ago – what a testament to God’s great plan that He took her from a bad situation (most of the girls are court ordered to be in the program) and led down a path that would bring her to a place where she is now passing on what she was taught all those years ago.
Cindy left us in good hands with two of the senior girls. One will be graduating from the program this month and going off to college in August. The other young lady is graduating from high school early and will be heading off to the Air Force to become a nurse. They took us on the rest of the tour which included the area where the animals are that the girls are responsible for taking care of, especially when they receive demerits. They have chickens, ducks, goats and pigs. They also have horses, which they get to ride when they receive good merit points. A little further down the path we came upon where they have bon-fires - a good place to roast a hotdog or marshmallow and fellowship. Further down the path is an outside area to have service. Being out in nature like that – how can you not see the wonders of our God! Next to that was the pond. They’ve done baptisms there in the past – but Cindy says it always seems to rain when they would try to hold them (tears of joy from our Lord, I say). So, now they do the baptisms at Cindy’s husband’s church (He’s the pastor there).
The girls treated us to breakfast for lunch. It’s their traditional Saturday lunch. Right before lunch, a few girls shared their testimonies. It was wonderful to hear how their lives were changing/improving due to their surrender to the Lord and allowing the Spirit to lead them. After lunch the girls sang a song for us – it’s called Blessings – by Laura Story – and what a blessing it was to hear those young ladies sing.
The funds that NBCC sends in support of this mission are definitely going to good use. They have a good success rate (the rules are that a girl only gets one chance at Steppin’ Stone and Cindy shared that many of the graduates are doing well) and a great program. I invite you all to check out their site to see/read more about them and/or to get involved. They always need volunteers and have additional needs to be filled. So come and join the mission committee or join us on one of our next field trips and get involved. There will be more information provided in future bulletins and announcements. We look forward to seeing you with us.
Pam Rosky
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