Youth Group Fun...

On Friday, we had our first official youth group with the high school students of SCCLC with 50 young people in attendance. They came over to my place for lunch (since they only had a half-day of classes) and then after eating, we headed to the bowling alley to hang out and try our best to get some decent scores.
On Monday, I had the senior class over and it was a great time of catching up after a summer apart and talking about the year to come.

Tomorrow, Monday the 18th, we'll have our first high school Bible study. Those will then continue each Monday evening. We'll be working through a series based on the books by Max Lucado, It's Not About Me. Tomorrow's session is Bumping Life Off Self-Center.

Finally, I've also begun meeting with several young men at different times for accountability. I think there will be about 5-7 different ones that I'll have time with on a weekly basis.

So, What are You Practicing?

Our theme verse for this coming year is Colossians 3:17 - "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

So our theme with the youth this year will be "If Practice Makes Perfect, what are You Practicing?" Not saying that what we practice makes us who we are, but it reflects who we are and influences who we'll become.
Pray with us that God will continue to work in these young lives and that we will have the wisdom and discernment to lead them as God directs.

Reunions...

During the last several weeks, I've had the privilege to get together with several of SCCLC's graduates of years past. It has been great to catch up with them and see how God continues to work in many of their lives.

Some of the class of 2005 that were in town

got together for dinner a few weeks ago.

Crazy Days...

The last several weeks have been kind of crazy, but good. We were able to get a lot of work done on the house/youth center and it's almost ready for the new school year to begin. There's a little more painting and a few more cabinets to be installed, and it will be done.

David & Tim Zimmerman along with Jordan Newman were a great help in getting most of the painting done. What a relief to get that behind us!

I was able to get together with Cody Kargus, this year's camp speaker, and his team from the States. Several of our youth here have also been heavily involved in their group. They leave tomorrow, yet I believe God really blessed their time here.Friday night, I had his team over and invited our youth to join us as well. There were 60 plus here for supper. We had a great time of fellowship, laughter and getting to know one another. Two of his youth shared with the group and did a great job of challenging each of us.

This morning, I had the opportunity to preach at the English Church. The pastor has been in England for 2 months and asked me to help out. I shared about the RACE set before us and the challenge from Hebrews 12 to FIX Our Eyes on Jesus!Tomorrow, I'll be out at school meeting with the director and secondary principal. We'll be planning events and chapels and going over the schedule for the semester. I'm excited about the new year and know that God has some awesome things in store for us!

I'll also be meeting with the WGM Field Treasurer tomorrow to go over some procedures in the office. She is leaving Bolivia and several of us will be filling in as needed. Pray that we will be able to find a treasurer to come take on these responsibilities soon. Also, pray for each of us who will be taking on these duties to help in the mean time.

There is a Referendum vote in Bolivia next Sunday, August 10. Please pray for a peaceful day and an outcome that would really be for the best for the country and its people.

School starts on August 11, and so please continue to lift each of us in prayer as we get things in order. We are still short on staff, but know God will provide.

Let the Work Begin...

Today, Tim Zimmerman and Jordan Newman (both WGM "missionary kids") started helping on the repainting of the house / youth center. They have a pretty substantial task ahead, so pray they stay the course.I emptied the kitchen to make way for construction workers coming in tomorrow to give the cabinets and counter tops some seriously needed attention.

I was in the office this morning and stopped by the school as well...so even during school "break" there's plenty to keep me busy.

Missionary Retreat 2008 ...

We just returned from our annual missionary retreat for the WGM - Bolivia missionary group. Including the special speaker, other missionary guests and all the kids, there were 70 of us in attendance.
Pastor Dave Engbrecht of Nappannee Missionary Church spoke to us from John 14-17. The series on "Intimate Conversations" with Jesus to His disciples, was timely & pertinent to our group. God's Spirit was evident through the music ministry, preaching, and time "away" from the normal routine of life and ministry.Thank you for your prayers during this event. Our time together was refreshing as well as relaxing.

Graduate Visitor...

David Lotz (SCCLC 2008) came over to my parents' from Indiana. He's in the States, preparing to study at Purdue University and currently looking for employment. Pray for David and the rest of our graduates as they seek to set up this new phase in their lives, many of whom are very far from their families and friends. David stayed with us for several days and it was an awesome time of fellowship and fun. For me, it was great another help in "ministry closure" for this school year. Although I pray our friendships continue to grow, serving David and his classmates as their youth director has finished.

As I return to Bolivia on Wednesday, pray with me that I will be able to prepare for the "new" year of ministry with another group of young people.