I remember hearing about Chayah coming for the girls while I
was incarcerated at Black Canyon School.
I kept praying and praying I would be on the very first Chayah. I was chosen and I had a complete blast. The friends that I made from the Chayah
volunteers have been lifetime friends.
Some we talk daily or every other day on the phone, while others we chat
on Facebook and also every once in a while on the phone, but the bond is still
there. I still have the very first
Chayah Bible I received when I went through those three days.
Most girls wanted to be on Chayah to evade school and getting off the cottage, but if you look past those reasons and actually open up to what you can receive by going through a Chayah, it is so much more. For me, it was a wonderful and exciting time to get to grow more with Christ through other people. What I learned in that 3 days with the Chayah volunteers was invaluable. Many people believe that Christians are Bible thumpers trying to change who you are. Not true with Chayah. They really accept you for who you are and what potential they see in you. I learned how to let people in my world and share myself with them to a point where I am more successful as an adult.
When I left BCS, I was 17 years old and just finished a 2 year 3 month sentence. I went to church with some of my Chayah friends on the outside and I shared my life with them as I continued to grow in my desire to fulfill Christ’s lifestyle for me. I invited them to my housewarming party where they blessed my house, I invited them to my baby shower, and eventually introduced my son to them. I moved away from Arizona and when I come back to town, I call them and we have lunch and visit.
The experience that you gain from Chayah and the people that VOLUNTEER to do Chayah is immeasurable. These are all people that have come from different walks of life to devote the same things that they have learned about Christ and freely give of themselves to share with others.
I hate writing about the things that I have learned because throughout life I have gotten better at speaking and especially after serving on a team at BCS. I would never trade the experience that I gained through Chayah or the friends I made (and I mean the real friends that I made) for any amount of money in the world. To have people that you can call when you are having a hard time because yes life isn’t full of less hard times just because God is on your side. There are still trials and tribulations that you go through but they are so much less when you have people that support you and listen to you.
I am now 32 years old with a beautiful 9 year old son, a career, a life, a car, my own place, and a lot of problems still that I handle daily. I graduated from high school and college and am back in school for my next degree, either in law or nursing. The stress is easier than before because with friends like the ones that came from Chayah, I can talk to them and find ways to not have to resort back to my old mentality. Life is busy but it is also what you make of it.
It has taken me a long time to have time just to sit down a write this. Life is full of obstacles but I learned through Chayah that God doesn't give you anything you cannot handle. You might think you are done but He knows better. In the end doing what makes you truly happy and knowing that every day you did the best you could and your friends will always be there cheering you on and helping you up instead of tearing you down is the best feeling in the world.
Taking anything from Chayah cannot be forced, it has to be a desire to have a change and it will do wonders.
Most girls wanted to be on Chayah to evade school and getting off the cottage, but if you look past those reasons and actually open up to what you can receive by going through a Chayah, it is so much more. For me, it was a wonderful and exciting time to get to grow more with Christ through other people. What I learned in that 3 days with the Chayah volunteers was invaluable. Many people believe that Christians are Bible thumpers trying to change who you are. Not true with Chayah. They really accept you for who you are and what potential they see in you. I learned how to let people in my world and share myself with them to a point where I am more successful as an adult.
When I left BCS, I was 17 years old and just finished a 2 year 3 month sentence. I went to church with some of my Chayah friends on the outside and I shared my life with them as I continued to grow in my desire to fulfill Christ’s lifestyle for me. I invited them to my housewarming party where they blessed my house, I invited them to my baby shower, and eventually introduced my son to them. I moved away from Arizona and when I come back to town, I call them and we have lunch and visit.
The experience that you gain from Chayah and the people that VOLUNTEER to do Chayah is immeasurable. These are all people that have come from different walks of life to devote the same things that they have learned about Christ and freely give of themselves to share with others.
I hate writing about the things that I have learned because throughout life I have gotten better at speaking and especially after serving on a team at BCS. I would never trade the experience that I gained through Chayah or the friends I made (and I mean the real friends that I made) for any amount of money in the world. To have people that you can call when you are having a hard time because yes life isn’t full of less hard times just because God is on your side. There are still trials and tribulations that you go through but they are so much less when you have people that support you and listen to you.
I am now 32 years old with a beautiful 9 year old son, a career, a life, a car, my own place, and a lot of problems still that I handle daily. I graduated from high school and college and am back in school for my next degree, either in law or nursing. The stress is easier than before because with friends like the ones that came from Chayah, I can talk to them and find ways to not have to resort back to my old mentality. Life is busy but it is also what you make of it.
It has taken me a long time to have time just to sit down a write this. Life is full of obstacles but I learned through Chayah that God doesn't give you anything you cannot handle. You might think you are done but He knows better. In the end doing what makes you truly happy and knowing that every day you did the best you could and your friends will always be there cheering you on and helping you up instead of tearing you down is the best feeling in the world.
Taking anything from Chayah cannot be forced, it has to be a desire to have a change and it will do wonders.