It's Fun to PLAY at the YMCA!

Since moving to Cactus, we've begun to build a relationship with the Moore County YMCA (Dumas and Cactus). There are no after-school programs or sports programs here for the children and teens. But there is a YMCA here in Cactus with a nice big building, so it seemed like a natural partnership for Cactus Nazarene Ministry Center. We began getting to know the director here and have become official volunteers. This allows us to use the building for our events as well as helps lessen the burden for the director a bit.

In addition, the Dumas YMCA offers sports-programs that Cactus is invited to participate in. Though there are currently very few Cactus kids who participate, Vito and Eli have quickly gotten involved playing and coaching soccer and basketball. They've been assigned to the Green Acres Elementary School teams, and Vito is already getting a reputation for being a fiercely competitive (and successful) coach. We've had a lot of fun with both soccer and basketball seasons and are looking forward to the spring soccer season starting soon! Go Green Acres!

The program directors at both the Dumas and the Cactus YMCAs are Christians (one is a pastor in Dumas) and they have held on to the original mission of the YMCA. This has been a blessing as we've begun to build these relationships. We see eye-to-eye and especially see the need for the children and teens of Cactus to have a safe, Christian environment to "hang out."

Recently, the director of the Cactus YMCA asked if we (primarily Vito) would be able to help develop a "teen zone" program. The Teen Zone would meet on weekday evenings and would offer character/value lessons and a fun environment for YMCA members' children (ages 7-17 years). As Vito was talking with him about the program, it quickly because evident that this would be somewhat of a youth group. In fact, Vito asked, "So, basically you're wanting to start a youth group?" The director replied, "Pretty much!"

Beginning this evening, Vito will be leading the new Teen Zone Program at the Cactus YMCA and building relationships with 25 children and teens (and their parents). He's adapting the Nazarene Caravan curriculum to offer lessons on values such as: teamwork, respect, responsibility, honesty, citizenship, and faith . . . Wow! To God be the glory!

The Green Acres soccer team receiving their first place trophies - Fall 2013

Eli with his soccer trophy - Fall 2013

The Green Acres basketball team - Winter 2014