COMING SOON! - Camps 2008

Our junior high and high school camps are just around the corner. Please pray for those involved. I'll be coordinating the events with some 17 staff helping and participating to make each of them take place. Pray for Cody Kargus of Arrowhead Bible Camp ministries in Wisconsin, as he brings our challenges. Also pray that the kids, as well as all of us involved, will be ready for what the Lord may have in store! Thank you!

Fill up that ARK!!!

As the water rises, it seems the ark would come in handy! Please pray that the rain would cease and the waters subside. It's been coming down steadily for several days and there's no where else for the water to go. Mariela (an 8th grader) and I are wading through between buildings...the library in the background is completely surrounded by its own "moat".

First Week at School and with Youth Activities went Well!

Junior High Out - 29 youth joined us after school as we went to an arcade and out for ice cream. it was a great time to renew some friendships and to meet the "new" (to me that is...) 7th graders.
Just 2 hours after the Junior High Out, about 60 high schoolers joined us at the house for a Mexican food/theme night. Several came in their panchos and sombreros...one young man even had his machete in hand???

It was a great time of fellowship and I really enjoyed reacquainting myself with the youth. They're a great bunch and I'm privileged to be back with them.

About 40 came to the Monday night Bible study and it also went well, as did my time in chapel on Wednesday. I was able to share a challenge to Administer Grace from I Peter 4. God's been challenging me along those lines, so it was cool to be able to share that with the youth.

I've already had several opportunities to share some of the youth and even counsel a few others. Please pray as I begin a few accountability sessions, that God will guide us in our discussions and encouragement to each other.

Blessings!

Back Online and in Bolivia...

Well, I'm back home in Bolivia. I haven't had internet until this afternoon. I have many e-mails to process and much to do, but I'm back safe-and-sound.
Christmas and New Years went really well with the family and I had an uneventful, but long trip back down. After a few days, the lost sleep was found.
School started up today and I have my first Bible Study tonight with the high school students. I'm a little anxious, but sure it will go well. Tomorrow, I have a board meeting to attend, I speak in chapel and begin all that involvement on Wednesday. On Friday, we have our opening events for the junior high at 3 and then the high school at 7...so it'll be a busy week.
It's exciting to be back. I'm a little overwhelmed by all that has to happen, but it's gonna happen, so I'm just holding on for the ride.
Will be able to write more frequently since I'm online...so I'll keep you posted...Mike

Finishing up in Kansas...

After my Sunday morning service at the Cornerstone Fellowship church in Wichita, KS, I stopped in to visit Birdella Findley. Birdella's son, Paul, and I grew up together and tried to keep our parents on their toes. We enjoyed the time of reminiscing and catching up.

Surprise!!!

with Hannah & Carlin Epp in their home in Henderson, Nebraska...Hannah is a senior and Carlin a sophomore. It was a great visit!

Kansas??? Okay, I'm on my way. First I had to make a stop in Henderson, Nebraska to visit former students, Hannah and Carlin Epp. Hannah and her parents wanted to keep it a secret from Carlin, so when he answered the door and I asked for directions, he yelped...it was a surprise. We had a great time catching up last night and tonight I'll be at their basketball games to cheer them on. Tomorrow, I'll head to Wichita to share with a youth group and church, then I'll be back in Ohio on Monday. Nap time!!!

Back to Nashville...ya'll...Dec 9-12

I went back to Nashville with my family to visit the Grand Ole Opry and hang out at the Opryland Resort. We met my uncle and aunt from Memphis there and enjoyed the time away. We saw Mark Lowry on Monday evening and spent the rest of the time hanging out, relaxing, shopping, eating and even sleeping a little. We got back on Wednesday night in time for me to do laundry and pack up for my last HMA trip...Kansas, here I come...