Bible Studies and Chapels...

We're off to a great start for our weekly high school Bible studies and secondary chapels at school.Each Monday evening, about 35 to 40 young people have been gathering to study a series I've drawn from the book, Jesus Did It Anyway. It's a great challenge to live right no matter what the world throws at us!We've had a variety of chapels and I've been able to share twice from our theme verse, I Timothy 4:12. First I shared the challenge for ALL Christians to give a clear testimony and live a godly example, no matter our age. This last week, the message focused on giving a clear example of Christ through our words.This week's activities include: accountability time with a few of the guys; Bible study on Monday evening; set-up and shooting of yearbook pictures; direct the chapel music team and Wednesday's chapel; attend a mission board meeting; participate in an all-mission meeting; and continue preparations for upcoming Bible studies as well as our spiritual enrichment week and high school retreat in October.

Thank you so much for all your prayers! Blessings!

Senior Retreat...

Senior retreat went on last week from Thursday through Sunday. The school had a scheduled day off on Friday, so we took advantage of the extra time and left from my place on Thursday at 4. All, but 2, of this year's senior class were able to attend. Emily Barlow, far left in the middle row, went along to help as the female chaperon.
The class was able to goof-off, as well as get serious when it was appropriate. The focus of the weekend is to prepare them for transition that the senior year will bring continuing on after graduation. Another purpose of the weekend away is to build unity and acceptance.

We were involved in several group activities and team builders during the day. You would be amazed at how difficult it is to raise a 1-pound pole TOGETHER with only your fingertips!Although some of the activities were challenging, the class took the challenges and worked together...having fun doing it!

Building trust in each other and applying that to our trust in God was another focal point.

Yes, I trust them as well!

Of course, a good game of volleyball is always in order...well, a dozen games is even better.

We had a session each evening. My part in the session was not terribly lengthy, but each session seemed to get longer as they shared. God really blessed these times together and I believe He used them to draw the young people together!

Contrary to the photo at the beginning, they can be normal! They can also be leaders and set the spiritual atmosphere at the school, which they've already been doing...see below!

On Tuesday, the seniors instigated a student led prayer group.
17 young people met at 7:30 to have prayer for each other, the school, their teachers, etc.! PTL!!!

Please remember the class of 2010 as they take their "position" in school very seriously. They know how to have fun, but most of them also know the importance of their relationship with God. Pray that they will develop that relationship first and the overflow will be seen in their leadership and testimonies!

SCCLC is Up and Running...

Classes started at the Learning Center on Monday, August 10. After the half-day at school, the seniors came over to have lunch together and spend some time catching up. They're a great class and I'm excited to be their sponsor. Remember them in prayer as the begin this adventure of their last year in school! They're pictured to the right...

I spoke from our theme verse, I Timothy 4:12, for our opening chapel on Wednesday. I will present 6 more chapels from that verse, interspersed throughout this semester, to challenge the students and staff to be Godly examples in all areas of life.

Friday the 14th, I opened up my house on Friday to all the high school to get together, fellowship and I was also able to share a challenge regarding chasing after temporal things...
Monday's Bible study this week with the high school went very well. Over 40 students attended as we began our study from the book Jesus Did It Anyway.

Tuesday, I hosted the junior high for their first outting. We had a Banana Split Bubble Bash. It was a fun time together with 21 7th and 8th graders...ah, to have 1/4 of their energy!
The semester is in full swing and I'm excited for what lies ahead. Please keep us in your prayers as we seek to minister to these young people and encourage them to minister to each other.

Blessings!

Another Week with Cody Kargus' Team and Ministry Preparations...

Last Monday, I hosted the team of 35 for dinner and fellowship. About 15 of our youth joined us for fellowship as well.
On Thursday evening, we gathered again with the team for a night of drama. The youth also played games and continued to get to know each other.
Then on Friday, we had an all day discipleship workshop. A dozen of our youth and about a dozen from the team were together for sessions on their Christian walk and also meaningful times of prayer.
Cody continued to challenge us from the Word throughout the day.

Wednesday morning, Cody and his team will head back to Wisconsin. It's been a blessing to have them minister here in Bolivia at several orphanages, churches and with our youth.

Next week, August 10, classes begin. This week, we're in the midst of orientation and preparing the campus for the new school year. There's still much to do, but things are falling in place.

Please pray for each of us that we would be physically and mentally ready for the challenges that lay ahead.

Blessings!

Time with Cody Kargus' team...

Last night, several of the SCCLC youth joined Cody's team for games and fellowship. It was a great time of hanging-out and Cody gave us a great spiritual challenge!
On Monday evening, the team of 36 will join me at my place for dinner and sharing. We've also invited the SCCLC youth back to enjoy some fellowship as well. Pray that it's a great evening together. Also, please continue to pray for the team as they minister in orphanages and churches in the area.

Senior Class Get-together...

Last night, 5 of the up-and-coming senior class came over to have dinner and a Bible study. Most of the class of 20 are not here in Bolivia or at least not in Santa Cruz, but those that are here wanted to have the chance to fellowship and requested a Bible study. I was very happy to oblige and enjoyed our time over dinner and then a study in Matthew 16.

The discussion focus was on our perception and how that many times affects our attitude and how we see God working in situations. Christ saw things from God's point of view and his disciples had a hard time getting connected with that. The challenge for me, and I pray these students, is to open up to seeing things from His point of view and back off from the small picture we see and allow God to reveal the big picture.

We also talked about our priorities for their senior year, and life in general; about what's really important. Finally, we closed with prayer for the year to come as they lifted up their classmates, the school and God's leading throughout.

At school, I'm still helping to oversee much of the construction going on. We're only 3 weeks away from classes beginning and there's still much to do. Here at the house, I've been working on my office, going through paperwork and getting to the new calendar for the year as well as other projects in preparation for the new year.

Next Wednesday, Cody Kargus will arrive with a team of 31 students who will be doing ministry as well as a discipleship "course". I will be available to help out and look forward to the times together. We will be incorporating events with our "kids" too, so it should be a busy, but fun, couple of weeks.

Thanks for all your prayers!

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!