JH Camp Group Pic....

Here's the group from junior high camp. All 42 students were in attendance and had a great time. God really worked through Cody Kargus, our special speaker. Thanks for your prayers as we follow up back in the "normal" routine .

Junior High Camp 2008 went very well...

Junior High Camp went very well. We left school on Wed, Feb 13 and returned Friday afternoon. All 42 junior high students attended and seemed to really enjoy the time away. Cody Kargus' sharing on the theme of LOVE really challenged us all.

I had gotten pretty sick on the first afternoon and spent most of my time directing the camp...well, watching camp...from a chair. It was so awesome to see others step and take the lead. I was to direct activities, but I passed those responsibilities on to one of our 11th graders who had come to assist me. God used him to keep it moving and he did an awesome job.

I'm trying to rest a lot this weekend and get ready for another week of camp with the high school students. There will be 76 campers attending as Cody shares his challenges on Worship and living Inside-Out. Thanks for all your prayers.

Bible Studies are up and running...

Junior High Bible study met yesterday. Seventeen kids joined us for this time of fun and learning. We talked about influence, what we give and what we receive. They seemed to have a great time.Our regular Monday evening Bible study has been meeting for 3 weeks. We've had an average of just over 30 kids each week.

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