Low on Power?  Get a Free Charge!

He gives power to the faint; and to him who has no might He increases strength.   Isaiah 40:29

"Low on power?  Get a free charge!"  So read a number of signs in Chicago's O'hare airport.  Travelers were invited to recharge their electronic equipment without cost.  As a believer, are you running low on power?  Did you run well at one time, but now you desperately need to reconnect to the greatest source of power?  The above verse gives the solution, "He gives power."  His power is found as you bend your knees before the Lord and an open Bible.  He promises to increase your spiritual strength.  Connect today.    

    -Arnot McdIntee

His pow'r has no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again! - Annie Johnson Flint

I found this devotional appropriate for the season where additional power is needed to light trees, houses, fences etc....and where gifts, holiday party and outings charge us emotionally.  It is is a wonderful time of the year!  However, like charging up your phone, tablet, or computer, it is temporary, and requires a recharge.

When traveling a few days ago to visit family and friends for Christmas, I was reminded again of the "need" for power in our society.   Airports are filled with people searching for a place to plug in. Individuals are desperate to find  precious but limited power sources in order to maintain communication with the world.    How comforting that the power source we really "need"  is available everywhere and at anytime.  There is no need for a labeled kiosk saying "free recharge"  The recharge we need comes unlimited and free but we have to be intentional about grasping for it.

So this Christmas, I recognize that I am running low on power.   I desperately need to reconnect with the Lord, which is my greatest source of power.  Being with family and friends and being warmly embraced by those I dearly love has filled my heart with love but I am in need of time alone, plugged into God alone, whose pow'r has no boundary or end. As I spend some time in the mountains during this retreat........

Please pray:

1. For rest and relaxation in the beauty of the mountains.   
2. That I may meditate on God's word and that through it I would be renewed in body, mind and spirit.
3. For wisdom and courage as I contemplate the responsibilities facing me in the coming year.

   
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS DRIVE THRU  

Dec. 4-6     AND     Dec. 11-13

Thanks to the acting skills, caroling voices, and servant hands and feet to help share the Good News about the true Light of the World, the Christmas Lights Drive Thru was a major success!  With such a good response last year we extended the event this year to two weekends.  Over the course of the two weekends, we saw over 4,600 people.

This event is a major fundraising event to help us continue to operate as a non-profit ministry.  It's because of events like these that we are able to continue to minister to thousands of Bahamians each year through the ministries at the Centre and Camp.

Below is a picture tour.  If you saw pictures from last year, look again!  We added more lights and the sets were decorated differently!  For a little added bonus, I have included a link at the end of the picture tour with a video of the event.  Enjoy!

  This event is much more than lights!  Its about pointing people to the LIGHT OF THE WORLD!  The  pageantry alone required 30 plus actors/actresses, which we acquired by partnering with different churches on the island. Dilan Van Ryn and Mark Wallace worked hard pulling together and coordinating the actors.  To pull off an event like this, Dilan did a fantastic job of coordinating the 60 plus volunteers needed for each night of the event.  In this photo we are gathered around the flag pole for prayer.

The white gates are opened and cars are transformed into "donkeys" as they journey toward Bethlehem.

First view as they enter

After entering the gates, and seeing the lights, "donkeys" are greeted by those of us along the road collecting "taxes" (admission fee) and offering glow sticks to light their path toward Bethlehem.

Oh....who do we have here?   The Prophet Isaiah......with a message from the Lord!

And three "wise guys" (the wisemen) looking lost and asking for directions.  They are looking for the new born King!

The journey is long and there is much waiting.... (There are many other"donkeys" waiting to see the 

new born King!)   Donkey's stop for a drink and something to eat (concessions) to carry them through the rest of their journey. 

What?  More taxes?  The Roman soldiers guarding the gate, demanding for VAT tax (value added tax) A new tax that has been added to all purchased items  in the Bahamas.  (This adds some cultural relevance for Bahamians to be entertained by)

Inside the gate, marketers are aggressively selling  their merchandise!

Along the road, we meet Joseph and a very pregnant Mary, looking for a place to rest.

No Room at the inn???  You are sitting playing domino's and can't help us? Where is the customer service? 

Look!  An angel!  What does she say?  A Savior has been born!  Go.......You  will find him ........

wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

Shepherd's in the fields saw the star.

Fast forward a few years.  Jesus as a boy, found in the temple.  "Did you not know that I must be about my father's business?"

Jesus calling his disciples "Come, follow me, that I may make you fishers of men!"

Jesus, teaching at the Mount of Olives.  Blessed are the.........

The donkeys are moving slowly.  Ushers along the road help to keep them moving.  Hurry, Jesus is about to sit with his disciples.......

 inviting them to join him in the last supper.

Mary, grieving at the foot of the cross after her son Jesus was crucified.

The angel proclaiming the tomb is empty.  Jesus is alive!  Now go and proclaim it to the world!

As the donkey returns to reality and become a car again, they are greeted by Mark Wallace or a local pastor assisting him who challenge them to consider the true LIGHT OF  THE WORLD.  JESUS!  HE SAVES!

Cars continue driving through the property to admire the lights.

As cars move toward the exit, they are greeted with a Christmas song by the puppets.

The you tube video link below was recorded about 5 years ago when the event was done for the very first time by a group of people involved in a discipleship program (Patmos) on the isalnd. Unfortunately this years video has not yet been completed, but you can get an idea of what we did.  There are some differences in some of the lines but 90% of it is the same as what we did this year.  The biggest difference is that this year we had all Bahamian actors and actresses which is awesome that the community has come together to put on something of this magnitude to glorify the Lord.  Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydJBsNJxPYY

Blessings to you and your family this Christmas and into the New Year!

Jen

HELP LORD!  WE NEED YOU!

PSALM 121:1-2  I lift my eyes to the hills.  From where does my help come? My help comes from you Lord, who made the heavens and the earth.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

SEAN WILSON 

I cannot tell you how many times our brother and friend friend Sean quoted the verses above as he would lead us in prayer during morning staff devotions.  ALC&C lost Sean Wilson, our animal caretaker and grounds manager, on October 28th. Sean had been on his way to church on Sunday morning, October 24th when he suffered injuries to his lungs in a motor vehicle accident.  He was taken to the hospital after the accident where he died three days later. Sean had been a part of the ALC&C ministry for over 22 years.  Those who knew him know how much he loved the animals he cared for and how he loved seeing the kids come through the gates of the Adventure Learning Centre to "experience a little slice of heaven." He is greatly missed already.  

We remember Sean.....

Horse rides will never be the same.....

 
Sean's playful personality                 Early days -junkanoo drums

      Sean at ALC family gatherings.   He LOVED Sour Sop!

He loved those animals!

All Staff Photo September 29, 2015 - 1 month before Sean's death

Sean encouraged anyone that he talked to.....a reflection of a life rich with faith building experiences that he used to encourage others in their faith.  He had a dramatic life testimony of  God saving him from the street life of drugs and alcohol;and after coming to the Adventure Learning Centre as a baby Christian, and  being discipled there over the years, he grew into a strong disciple of the many that have come through the gates of ALC.  Today I'd like to share a word from the Lord that came to me from the mouth of this man Sean, God's willing and faithful servant.   

 Sean could be found in this very spot every morning with his breakfast, Bible, and of course his paper.  My last conversation with him was here at this table, less than a week before the car accident.  As I sat with him that morning, eating my breakfast, he asked me how the "bus riding experience" was going.  (For those of you unaware, I totaled my car in an accident at the end of September).  I replied that it has had its challenges, but quickly moved on to share with him about how God might be at work through this experience. "Ya know Sean," I said, "There is a woman who for the last couple of days has stopped to offer me a ride to the ALC.  Maybe God wants for me to reach out to her to share the love of Jesus."  I cannot remember Sean's exact words in this moment, but I recall a conversation that  centered around taking advantage of opportunities God is giving us because we may be the very one God uses to introduce people to Jesus.  It wasn't until later did I realize how significant that conversation would be.

 

 Ten minutes later, we as a staff are meeting together inside for staff devotion time, where we discussed the importance of praying for those in other countries that are being persecuted for the cause of Christ.  Before going into prayer for those countries, we were asked to read various scriptures as encouragement to direct in our prayer time.  I volunteered unknowingly of what message was about to deeply affect me.  "I need a volunteer to read Ephesians 6:19", asked the leader.  "I can," I replied.  The context of that scripture is in the section talking about putting on the whole armor of God that we may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  And in vs. 19 it finishes that section by saying, "and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel..."  As I finished reading that verse, I immediately looked back at Sean as you see him in this picture above.  We made eye contact, and exchanged a smile.  I turned my head back but immediately heard him whisper my name.   Making eye contact again, he said a phrase that will forever stay with me......a word from the Lord through the mouth piece of Sean.......He pointed at me as he whispered, "That's for you Jen."

Would you pray for Rosie?  She has been dropping me off at the ALC nearly every morning for the past month. I had wanted to share a picture of Rosie and her son so that you would have a face with the prayer request.  However, I've been unable to find an opportunity to get one.    I continue to pray for boldness.  One morning that prayer was answered when I asked Rosie if she was a Christian.  She replied that she is not, but that she believes in God and lives a moral life.  I wish that I had followed up with the question, "What's holding you back?"    Some days I've taken advantage of the open doors of opportunity in the conversations.....other days, I've exited the car knowing that I wasn't bold to use my mouth.  It is sobering to think that if this woman was suddenly killed in a car accident if she would meet Jesus as I know my brother Sean has.  As a good friend of mine here in Nassau would say in moments of being overwhelmed, "This be deep!"  Please pray for me and pray for Rosie.  She is a single mother of her 13 year old boy Justin.

Even a month later, this word brings me to tears.  It is a new commission to go and preach the gospel.....something that I've been doing boldy within the gates of Adventure Learning Centre, but now those boundaries have extended beyond the white gates and out into the community.  Into the real world,   interacting with and meeting the needs of the poor and hurting.  One day, while waiting for a bus, a  man asked me for money.  I declined, but quickly offered to get him something to eat from the food store across the road.  He accepted the bottle of chocolate milk as he ripped off the cover and continued on his way.  A couple of weeks later, I ran into the same  man at a different bus stop.  Though he appeared to be under the influence of something, somehow through his mumbling jabber, I find that he remembered that day that I bought him the chocolate milk.  This is where the rubber meets the road.  But why me Lord?  In a season of storm where the pressure change ( pun intended), is enough to make my head hurt, how can you use this broken, faithless, woman that struggles to praise you in the storm because she is so troubled with the circumstances around her and the ever changing environment of ministry life.  

Other news:

Program has remained busy!

I continue to do what I am passionate about....and that is to teach about creation and to use it in making connections to the gospel of God's plan of redemption through Jesus. 

When I am not teaching, there are leadership team meetings that must happen in order to keep things running.  This photo is of the leadership team meeting with the board during our recent board meeting in October.  

Please pray for the board, for clear direction from them, for the search for more board members, and for the search for an executive director to oversee both the camp and the centre.

And when I am not teaching or in team leader meetings, I am assisting with the preparations for our annual Christmas Lights drive through outreach.   We've been working on putting up lights for weeks, and still finalizing the sets in the back trail where the public will drive through and be transported back into time, to experience the story and life of Jesus from the foretelling of his birth, through his life ministry, death, and resurrection.  The real reason for the season!

Please pray for the event.  This year we have extended to a second weekend which requires A LOT of coordination and planning.

 Though this is a silly picture of Dilan, our program director, it represents well what life has been as he  faithfully makes phone calls, whats app, facebook messenger, emails etc....  to coordinate the 60 plus volunteers needed each night of the event.  And that number of volunteers multiplied by 4 nights.  This has been a HUGE undertaking, and his administrative skills and gifts have greatly blessed us this year January-December.  

Dilan and his wife Laura have come to the end of their 1 year commitment serving at ALC.  As we lose them, there will be a huge hole to fill.   Pray that God would send another to replace Dilan as program director and Laura as an amazingly energetic facilitator.  They will be greatly missed.  In the interum, I will be stepping into only a portion of his role in the coordinating of programs and overseeing the program staff.      

One of the many things that I have missed is opportunities for weekend getaways and ladies retreats.  Last weekend a talented Christian speaker and author, Lisa Harper, (back row third from the left) was in Nassau for a woman's conference called "Proximity"  This was a refreshing time in the midst of the busyness and change.  A good reminder that God hasn't moved.  He doesn't change.  It is the posture of our heart that is challenged to keep in "Proximity" with him.

Though I missed my goal in getting this out before Thanksgiving, let me take this opportunity to extend my thank fullness to each of you in the little and big ways that you support and encourage me.  I look forward to seeing some of you again soon after a whole year of not being in Colorado.  Though it will be my desire to see each of you individually, my short 3 weeks will fly and so I cannot promise anything because  I am  most definitely in need of rest in order to carry on with the responsibilities that have been handed to me.

Blessings to you all,

Jen

Praises:

1. Temporary help in animal care and grounds keeping after the loss of Sean.
2. Thank ful for friends and family who have sent encouragement through emails, cards, phone calls, etc.
3. Thank ful for those on the island who have offered a listening ear, and have given me rides to and from functions, who have blessed me with a dinner out or an opportunity to get away to exhale.
4. Thank ful  to all.......for your continued prayers and financial support

Personal Prayer Requests:

1. Restored joy and keeping my eyes of Jesus in the midst of such change and transition.
2. Provision of funds for purchase of another vehicle
3. Needed rest as I travel to Denver for Christmas

Prayer Requests: (STAFF NEEDS)

1. ANIMAL CARE  & GROUNDS KEEPING  MANAGER -Someone with animal care experience and able to give direction to grounds keeping crew.
2. PROGRAM DIRECTOR- oversee programming and facilitators at the Centre, market programs to schools, coordinate fundraising events, etc....
3. MAINTENANCE- Help needed both at Camp and Centre with construction and repairs
4. COOK - Someone to help cook for groups at Camp and help with food service at the centre as needed.
5. FACILITATORS-  Run and maintain programming at the centre.

CHANGING   SEASONS.........PART 2

I absolutely LOVE the way that pictures illustrate!  If you were to write a story describing what is going on in this picture, what would you write?  I see a young child caught in a storm; wet, but calm and content.   I wonder..... what's her story?  Is there more to it than this?  If I may, I'd like to tell you of a recent experience where I could substitute myself in this picture.  After spending one Saturday morning exercising on a paddle- board while enjoying God's creation, I was caught in a storm.   Don't panic!  It wasn't hurricane Joaquin!  The storm came after I had finished but while I was still waiting for the board to be picked up.  Having no personal transportation, I too, was waiting to be picked up! As I watched the skies get darker and darker,   I couldn't help but thank God for his protection over me while out on the water. Though I prayed the rain clouds would blow away, the storm came.  Having no towel or dry clothes with me because I had traveled by paddle-board from one beach further down to the next, I found myself needing to make a decision.  Do I sit out in the storm with the paddle-board to ensure it doesn't get stolen???? Or secure it as best as possible (those things are heavy) and find shelter for myself.  I opted for the latter.  Finding an opening in the brush to get out of the driving rain and wind, I sat and began singing praise songs.  Even though I wasn't there long (maybe 45 min) I felt calm and content and had an overwhelming sense of the presence of the Lord with me, and I knew that I wasn't alone!   When I consider this picture, I CAN say, there is more to the story.  The new season that I spoke of in my last blog is no where near what I would have guessed it would be but God is giving me the grace to weather the storm.  And I know that I'm not alone.  See the picture story below to see more!

One of the storms that has been on and off the radar since June is the give and take away of my car. God gave if to me back in March.  For those that are just joining my blog, it was stolen in June, recovered fully in tact a week later, and........

                            

now totaled as I was involved in a car accident at the end of September.  Praise the Lord myself and no one else was injured. 

However, due to the way the roof of the car was crunched, the amount to fix it, exceeds what I payed for it.  As you could imagine, I was devastated.  Not necessarily by the loss of the car alone, but the lifestyle it had afforded me.  A form of independence, GONE!  Interestingly enough, as you know, there were bigger storms going on at right about the same time which God used to help put things into perspective for me. 

 I will not show pictures of the damage done in the southern islands of the Bahamas from hurricane Joaquin because from what I've been told, the photos from the internet don't show the true devastation down there!  Many of you were praying and asking how we were in Nassau.  Thank you for your prayers.  If you look at the storm tracker here, this shot was taken a few days after the main part of the storm (red) had hovered over the southern islands for 3 days straight moving at a snails pace of 3 miles per hour.  In this photo, the hurricane had already turned north as it had been predicted.  If it had continued in a north west pattern, it would  have continued up the rest of the Bahamas archipelago and we would have likely felt the effects.  Thank fully, Nassau, New Providence has never seen a direct hit.  If you look at a map of all Bahamian islands, Nassau, New Providence is tucked in between other islands that typically get hit harder.  It is the Lord's mercy and kindness on this nation as MOST of the population lives on the island of New Providence (city of Nassau).

Though we as an island were not affected in a physical way from the hurricane, we are affected indirectly as Bahamians step up to assist their country men and women and children in this time of need.  Besides food and other resources, family members are taking in children from the other family islands so that they can go to school here in Nassau.  They are not all pictured here, but some of the children whose homes were destroyed on the island of Mayiguana., have recently come to live with their family members that attend our church.  Pray for this family.  The children's names are Michael, Michaela, and Malique.   A new season for me too as I have taken on the role of serving as a children's ministry leader.  

What kinds of changes am I experiencing in this new season?

I walk 12 minutes every morning to the bus stop, where I catch my first bus, and then transfer to a second.  Morning commute time about 45 minutes to an hour.  What can you expect when riding a city bus, also known as "jitney" ?  No set scheduled pick up times or designated stopping points.  Some are privately owned by individual drivers, and stop at any corner that a passenger asks for a "bus stop".  Based on the number of bus, they do have a designated route but depending upon traffic some have been known to go off on side roads, and cut through shopping plazas to get through traffic. Some have nice christian praise music and others have loud booming music with the bass turned up to decibels that vibrate every inch of plastic on the interior.  You've got to experience it to understand! 

The other day, I was in the very back of the bus with two people on one side of me and one on the other side of me.   Is that wall to wall passengers you ask?  It sure is!  No middle isle for any kind of emergency exit!  Like I said!  You've got to try it!  Each bus ride costs $1.25 and most passengers pay as they exit the bus.  Only once did I think my life was flashing before my eyes.  It was within the first week of having lost my car and I couldn't help but think, "geez!  I didn't die in a car accident but I may very well see Jesus today on this bus ride!"

This changing season also includes the new planetarium program launch!  A year and a half in the making, it was delivered for the first time last week Thursday and Friday!  An introduction to planets in the form of an Awards show!  Each planet wins an award for something that it is famous for!

                                                                         

 

     The Fastest Planet Award goes to......MECURY!  Mr. Mercury runs around me (sun) as fast as he can!

The Hottest / Brightest Planet Award goes to......Venus!  Ms. Venus is showing just how bright she is!

The Most Red Planet Award goes to.......MARS!  Mr. Mars looks like he is dressed for perhaps freezing cold temperatures on Mars???  :)

The Largest Planet Award goes to......JUPITER!  If we were to pretend 1 easter egg was the size of earth....

......then 1000 earths could fit inside of Jupiter!

The Lightest Planet Award goes to........SATURN!

The Most Unusual Award goes to.......URANUS!  Ms. Uranus spins on its axis sideways, like roasting a marshmallow on a stick!

The Frozen Award goes to.......NEPTUNE!  

         Ladies and Gentlemen!  That concludes the planet celebrities round  but we still have the most valuable player award!  He is a million miles wide and can fit a million earths inside.  He's got solar power!  He's at the center of the solar system.  He's hot, so hot!  The most valuable player award goes to.....THE SUN!

   

The rest of the 50 minute program compares the SUN and its importance for light sustaining all of life, to the SON of God who is the sustainer and giver of life!  Eternal life!  We explain light and compare the darkness to the light.  When there is light from a candle, it pushes out the darkness.  Jesus said, I am the light of the world, whoever, follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12   A closing puppet show is done to end the day, followed by a challenge  to consider if they have ever received Jesus.  To do this, we look at two similar flashlights, one with batteries, and the other without.  The one without batteries is empty.  It's missing something powerful!  The power source for the flashlight is the battery.  We have to put the power source into the flashlight in order for it to be useful.  Likewise, we put the power source (Jesus) into our hearts in order for us to shine our lights in the darkness of the world around us.  Do you have the power source of Jesus in your life so that you can shine?

What other changes has this season brought?

New children......

.....new discovery!

New facilitators......

new, and familiar faces at Adventure Club.........

and lot's of learning!

Seasons come, seasons go........but one thing remains here at the Adventure Learning Centre and Camp!

We exist to bring the wonders of God's creation together with the curiosity of kids.  Earlier this month, we partnered with Jay Seegert, founder of the Creation Education Center out of Milwaukee, WI to host a young adult weekend here at the camp.  Research shows that a high percentage of college age students are turning away from their faith.  The theme of the young adult weekend?  Faith, Fact, or Fiction?  Jay challenged young people to think about how they may defend their faith by being able to ask some hard questions instead of taking everything learned and taught to them at face value.

The weekend also included some great worship.....

and some challenging thoughts to apply in conversations that we encounter as we stand for truth.

A few individuals missing here, but we rarely get together as an entire staff for a photo.  Please continue to pray for the staff here at Adventure Learning Centre and Camp.  If you want to partner with any of the missionary staff pictured here, see the Adventure Learning Centre website and click on staff where you may find a biography of each of them as well as a link where you may donate to their ministry.

Thanks again to all for your continued support and prayer!  We cannot do ministry without partners like you!
Blessings!  Jen

Praise Reports:

1. Praise God for his protection and care over my life and that I was not injured in the car accident.
2. Praise for a smooth delivery of new planetarium program launch as well as a positive response from teachers.
3. Praise for no deaths in the family islands from Hurricane Joaquin.

Prayer Request:

1. Pray for safety and protection as I walk to bus stops, wait, and ride the public bus system.
2. Pray for continued adjustment to a new roommate.
3. Pray for my heart to remain content and calm even in the midst of the dramatic change of lifestlye.
4. Pray for beginning preparations for Christmas Lights Drive through outreach that we will be hosting again this year in December.  Pray for churches to partner with us, and for commitments to serve for that event.