Staff Retreat & getting some youth together...

Right after my trip to the States, I was getting things in line for our annual missionary staff retreat. This is an opportunity for the missionary staff to get together, take a short break from ministry and be personally challenged spiritually. We were privileged to have special speaker Tommy Anderson and his wife Laverne come all the way from Ireland to minister to our group. The Lord used his messages and their open lives to bless each of us.

Our last session together was communion. Tommy led this special time of worship and prayer.

My role, as retreat director, was to coordinate all the activities, meals (I didn't cook), accommodations, etc. I also led one of our sessions entitled "Jesus Did it Anyway" based on a book by Kent Keith.

On of our Bolivian missionaries currently on educational leave at Asbury Seminay, Kelly Langdoc, came back to Bolivia to help with retreat by leading music and the youth sessions. It was great to have her back and we really appreciated her ministry to us. Kaylynn Lampen, one of our "MK's" helped by accompanying Kelly for the singing.

Laura Boyce, a missionary with South Amercia Mission, joined us at the retreat to lead the children's program. The kids had a great time and were always excited about going to their "classes."

It was a great week and I believe the Lord really blessed our time. Since it's winter, the weather can get a bit cold, but we had a very mild week.

Since retreat, I've been working at the house, getting things in order for the new school year. I also participated in our mission board meeting on Monday and have been at the school a few times to help oversee much of the work going on there.

Thursday afternoon, three of the graduates came over to visit over lunch. We had a great time of fellowhip and it was good to catch up on how things are going for them. They will all be leaving over the next several weeks to head to college. The transitions continue, but it's been exciting to see how God will be using these young lives.

Friday night, a dozen of the youth came over to eat pizza and hang out. Many of the young people are traveling over break, so they've had a hard time getting together. We enjoyed the fellowship and the games.

"Summer" (it's winter here) break from classes is a great time to get caught up and even ahead on some the plans for the coming school year. Pray that I will be able to get as much done as possible before Cody Kargus' team arrives on July 22. I'm looking forward to working with this team as much as possible, but will continue prepare at school and here at the house to be ready for our first day of classes on August 10.

Blessings!

Taking a Short Break ... Vacation ...

During the last week of school and the first week after classes, I had the privilege of having a former student and friend, David Lotz, as a house guest. He was able to visit his friends and also helped me a ton with preparations for all the closing events at school. I left the same day as David, May 30, to head to the US for a few weeks of vacation. I was able to use the time to spend with family, visit with friends, have a brief meeting at the mission, speak in one of my supporting churches and visit another.

The end of the year is always an extremely busy time and emotionally, as well as physically draining. This short break was a great way to recoup and get refreshed for another year of ministry. Below are a few pictures from the time there:

My aunt and uncle, John & Gail, spent a week with us. We were able to hang out a lot and spend some quality time together. Isaac, my nephew, turned 3 in May and he's developed quite a personality. He was fun to get to know a little more and even took to uncle John.
Brook, my niece, turned 5 the week I arrived. She's quite a character as well. We had fun and she did her best to try to keep me in line.
Cindy Haren, her niece and nephew, Ashley & Bryant, and I had the privilege to spend the day in Northern Kentucky at the Creation Museum. It was a great experience. I learned a lot and was able to find quite a few resources. Ken Ham, the museum's founder, gave a presentation that day and it was a very challenging session.

My family: Steve, Warren, Diane, me & David

As always, it's a great joy to spend time with my family. My brothers, parents and I were able to meet for lunch just prior to my departure. Throughout my time in the States, we had several opportunities to catch up and be together. My sisters-in-law, sorry they aren't pictured here, Nina and Karla are fantastic hosts and always make me feel so much at home!

I had three former students and good friends, Nathan, David & Kyle, come to visit during my time there. They try to keep me young, so their visits were great fun. My family seems to always enjoy when the young people come through. It gives them a chance to find out the scoop on my life here in Bolivia!

It was a great time of rest and renewal. When I arrived back in Santa Cruz I hit the ground running, but my time away gave me the energy I needed!

May is History...

It's hard to imagine how fast one month can pass by; however, May was such a month. After the Junior Senior Banquet on April 25, the hour hands on all my clocks seemed to speed up leaving me little time to update this site or even sleep at times.

The juniors did a fantastic job of putting together this banquet to honor the seniors...plus they looked mighty sharp in suits!!!

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God is faithful and I praise Him for continuing to supply strength and health during these busy days, but also for all the blessings of being involved in His ministry to the youth in Bolivia.

Graduation planning, preparations and activities occupied much of my "off" time from normal youth activities. Yet, the ministry did continue and I'd like to share a little of what went on throughout the last several weeks of activities...

A week before all of the end of year events, Liz Morriss and I had a dinner with the senior class. It was a great time of fellowship and fun before life got too busy!

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Our last Bible study wound up the series on how our perception of God greatly affects our relationship with Him. The youth stayed very invovled and I believe that God used these times not only to strengthen their relationships with the Lord, but also with each other.

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Our junior high end-of-the-year cookout was a great time of fellowship and activities. As usual, Bill and Bev Smith hosted this event and did a fantistic job of preparing the meal and opening their home to some 30 junior high kids.

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The following day, the Smiths hosted the high school cookout. It was a great group that came together to celebrate a wonderful year. The youth also honored Liz Morriss, Chad & Emily Jackson and Steve & Becky Swope for their leadership and involvement over the past several years.

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Our last chapel was specifically focused on our seniors. It was such a blessing to have Whitney Belovicz and Alejandro Garcia, two of our seniors, share their testimonies and challenges to the student body. God really spoke through their lives!

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Graduation activities (besides the weeks of preparation) began with a "walk-through" rehearsal in the school chapel.

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Later that evening the senior class, Liz Morriss and I hosted the seniors and their parents for a dinner out. We talked about the graduation and had opportunities to share our thanks with the parents for their support and the privilege to be a part of their childrens' lives.

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If it weren't for the junior class' help, I don't think the graduation ceremony would have gone as well. They did a great job making sure everyone found a seat, bringing in extra chairs as more and more people showed up, passing out the programs and escorting in the parents of the seniors. Susan and Maryodette, pictured on the far left of the group of junior girls here, sang a beautiful arrangement of In Christ Alone.

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Graduation, held on May 23, was a great celebration for the class of 2009. It was such an honor to work with this class over the last six years. It's been fun to see them grow up and mature...well, somewhat...and I pray that God will continue to use them wherever they go.

Thank you too for your prayers during these busy days!

The end of the year is very difficult because of all that is going on, but mostly because of all the goodbyes. Only two of our twenty-one graduates will remain in Bolivia. The rest are spreading throughout the world. It's like saying goodbye to "my children" except we may never see each other again.

As I said, and firmly believe, God continues to provide peace and supply what's needed to prepare for another year. I'm excited for the next school year will bring, so pray with me that the coming weeks of preparation for 2009-2010 will go well.

I'll also be directing our annual missionary retreat with speaker, Tommy Anderson. Pray these days away will be the renewal we need spiritually and physically to continue the work to which God has called each of us.

Blessings on You!

Bible Studies, Chapel & Communion...

After spending most of last week away from school and in meetings, it was good to be back with the young people...

Monday, there was chapel music practice after school and then high school Bible study in the evening. We continued with the series on our perception of God and how that affects our relationship with Him.

Tuesday, after saying goodbye to the Gouge's at their home, I headed back to school for preparations for junior high Bible study, chapel and communion. After meeting with two young men for accountability, I headed to the house with about 16 junior high students for Bible study. We talked about the significance of the Easter story and the confidence we can have in Christ.

On Wednesday, we had a special assembly with the junior high and high school students to cover "personal safety." As with any big city, it's a good idea to be reminded on how to avoid dangers, etc.

After the assembly, we had our regular chapel. The emphasis was focused on Holy Week and all that means for each of us. I was challenged to share about several different aspects of the week and their significance, but most specifically on the Veil or Curtain that was torn when Christ died. The symbolism of so many things that happened to Christ during this week is amazing.During the students' lunch time, they were given the opportunity to come back to the chapel to take communion. After I shared a brief challenge the 25+ youth were free to come up and get the bread and juice and Liz Morriss, Steve Swope and I had the privilege to pray with them individually. One of the seniors said he really enjoyed it because it was very personal.

Thank you for all your prayers during these busy, but exciting, days. Pray with me that the young people will continue to seek Christ and never become desensitized to the work He wants to do in each of them!

I pray you have an incredibly meaningful celebration of
the Lord's death AND resurrection as well.
May His work in your life continue to change and mold you!

Meetings and Goodbyes...

Last week was full of meetings. Tuesday's Executive Committee meeting for the mission here in Bolivia went well. We had a lot on our plate to decide, but the day went by without a glitch.

On Wednesday, we began meeting with Crisis Consulting International to go over the mission's planning and preparation for whatever comes our way. It was a very informative time together, but by Friday afternoon, my brain was quite full.

On Saturday, we met with the entire missionary staff to encourage personal safety in our ever changing world. I'm not sure we covered anything "new", it was just a great reminder.

On Sunday, we met again as a staff, but to say goodbye. We enjoyed dinner together and celebrated the 24 years of ministry of Ron and Bonnie Gouge. Then, this morning, we gathered together to have prayer with them and see them off as they journey to Argentina. Ron was our field director for 10 years and is now going to take on that responsibility for our WGM work in Argentina.Please continue to lift the Gouges in prayer as they launch into this new area of ministry.

Off to La Pajcha...

One thing I encourage the seniors to do each year is to make a list of all the places they want to visit, foods they want to eat or things they want to do before they leave Bolivia. For many of them, graduation is the last event before moving away from Santa Cruz for good.

Kyle Swope, pictured here in the gray shirt, wanted to head back to the waterfalls, La Pajcha, one last time with a few of his friends. So Paul, Danny, Kyle, Tim and I headed up to the falls last Saturday, March 14. They didn't have school on Monday, so we were able to stay three full days and 2 nights. God gave us AWESOME weather for our entire trip. We had three warm, sunny, clear-sky days in the middle of rainy season to enjoy His incredible nature and the good company.
Yes, these trips are FUN! Yet, they are so important for the friendships and, in this case, the closure for someone such as Kyle leaving. It helps the rest of us in our closure as he won't be here in Bolivia after May.

Pray that the remaining two months of school and activities will bring good closure for all the students that will be moving on and also for those who will be staying behind.

Spiritual Emphasis Week & Servant Day...

Our Spiritual Emphasis Week, March 9-13, focused on being made in the Image of God and the implications that follow. Steve Swope and I shared in three of the chapels, while the fourth chapel was dedicated to prayer. On Friday, the young people had an opportunity to reach out in community service as we finished up the week with a Servant Day. God blessed throughout the entire week of messages, worship and service!

Monday: Made in His Image - ON Purpose and WITH Purpose

Tuesday: Relationship with God through Prayer

Wednesday: Shaping His Image in You

Thursday: God's Image-Bearer

Friday's activities included painting, sharing and helping in various schools, churches, and other places throughout Santa Cruz. The kids enjoyed the time to reach out and were able to really minister through their giving.

These junior high students helped paint at a church.

I hear they even got some of the paint on the walls!