Ruth

BEGINNING:
Henry Harms served as a children's evangelist with Youth Gospel Crusade in Wheaton, IL. He held meetings in the Illinois Valley area. Wilbur Haas and the Christian Business Men's Committee (C.B.M.C.) had a burden for children's work and asked Henry if he knew of anyone who could come to that area. Later Henry had meetings in Wisconsin at a Rural Missions church. The pastor asked Henry if he knew Ruth Attebery and Lillie Noakes. That reminded him of Wilbur's request. The C.B.M.C. asked him to contact us. We had trained to do children's work at Northwestern, we were happy to go for an interview.

We went to LaSalle, where Lillie and I had dinner with the Child Evangelism Committee: Wilbur Haas, Clell Hallmark, Floyd Turner, and George Erickson. The Child Evangelism Committee met the next evening with us and any C.B.M.C. members who could come. After much interrogation, they called us to come and direct the children's ministry. I wasn't too fond of calling children “kids”, but Henry suggested the name “Kids' Klubs and the committee agreed.

CHANGE OF SUPPORT:
It was earthshaking news when the C.B.M.C. announced they would no longer be able to underwrite Kids' Klubs. All 4 of the Kids' Klubs Committee members who were C.B.M.C. members remained on the Kids' Klubs Board. When news got around of the need, churches and individuals rallied with support and prayer.

THE FIRST KIDS' KLUB:
This was held in the home of Clara Haas, October 1953, with the Aunts as teachers. Six other klubs began that month. Training classes were held in September, as well as oil painting classes for flannel backgrounds. These training classes were held monthly in Princeton, Mendota, Oglesby, and Ottawa. Painting classes were held as needed, usually in places convenient for teachers.

Teacher's books and flannel graph figures were purchased from BCM, a decision of the Aunts and the Committee. It is a 7 year curriculum through the Bible. Through the years, many more teachers, helpers, and hostesses were recruited and prayed for. Many boys and girls heard the Word of God for the first time, and many were saved.

RALLIES:
In the fall and spring, two Kids' Klubs Rallies were held in two areas - usually Princeton and Ottawa. Singing, Bible Drills, special numbers and a speaker trained to work with children made up the program. Usually some boys and girls responded to the invitation to receive Christ.

VOLUNTEERS:
C.B.M.C. wives formed an auxiliary, meeting each month (for some time) to help with Kids' Klubs projects. Later when the work grew, many women and men came to our home to assist in material preparation, camp crafts, and office work. Speaking of volunteers, when the time came to move from the little 4 room house to the big old 13 room brick house in 1960, we had 53 people to help decorate, move and settle. The upstairs was 50 feet long, with 10 doors off of it. Three of the downstairs rooms were 13 by 19. We had plenty of space for a big office, storage of Kids' Klubs and camp supplies, painting classes, various meetings and closing teachers' potluck.

PRAYER BAND:
This was held in the home of Laura McCall in Van Orin each week for many years.

CAMP:
The Committee asked Lillie and me to direct a camp for the children. We said, “No, get someone else to direct it.” So we decided to take 2 busloads (1 broke down) of children to Jack and Jill Bible Camp in Michigan with our counselors for a week of camp, directed and staffed by Jack and Jill. Young George Erickson was one of our counselors. After a few problems, including the bus breakdown, we decided we were willing to direct our own camp. God greatly blessed the years of Kids' Klubs Camp.

1970-1971
In 1970, Aunt Lillie developed hardening of the arteries. Later the doctor said she must have professional care. I talked to the Board about getting another worker. Those were difficult days. Geneva (my sister) and Rex Stanley stopped for a visit late in 1970. I asked them and the Board about the possibility of their staying to help. They went home for a few days and came back to help for 6 months. What a blessing!

Henry Harms came to visit me in May 1971, and announced that he wanted me to be his wife. He isn't one to wait around, so suggested an October date for the wedding. I said I needed much more time (get Kids' Klubs and house in order, have auction, plan carefully, and get ready for the wedding), so Henry put the date UP to July 10th. And once again God was faithful to help me through it all

NEW DIRECTORS
I'm thankful that Geneva and Rex accepted a call from the Kids' Klubs Board to be the directors when I left. After Geneva passed away, God sent Arlene to be Rex's wife and to join him in the ministry.

The present directors, Rene and Lynn Noble are an answer to prayer, and we have learned to love and appreciate them. God is faithful.