CHANGING  SEASONS!

This is a new season.  But you live in the Bahamas Jen.  Has the heat gotten to your head that you have forgotten that the seasons don't change?  Well, if you want to get technical about that I can have a separate conversation with you, but that is beside the point.  The truth is, I am entering a new season here!

A lesson I’ve been challenged with presently, is my willingness to “give” out of response to what Christ has already given me.  I am not speaking of finances here. Ultimately the Lord has met my greatest need through his son Jesus.  But the challenging question from God is this…… “Jen, out of gratefulness for what Christ has done in your life, are you willing to “give” of your time, resources, AND heart to those that are in need of your service?”  My response………...Of course God!  Why else would I have left home and sacrificed all that I love?  God challenges me again.  What about life outside of your ministry at ALC?   What about the ministry in your new living situation?  It means giving an open and ready ear to your roommate who desires conversation even when you've had a long and tiring day.  It means using your car generously to transport friends with no expectation of return favors.  It means giving up an evening that could be spent resting or socializing for the building up and discipling of young people.  It means using your God given talents of teaching to serve the younger generation through children’s ministry at church.  My response……….Oh Lord, this is a lot!  How can I do this?  It is too much!  God’s response……  You’re right!  In your own strength YOU can’t!  But I can!  Don’t you remember that I will not ask you to do anything that I won’t give you the grace to do? 

Ouch!  How easy it is to forget my ever dependent need for God.  It is a time of refinement.  And indeed I value your prayers as this mission field widens. Please pray that I respond in the spirit and love people unconditionally as Christ does.  I trust this may serve to encourage each of you as you seek to serve God in your lives.

Here is a picture update of the last month.  Enjoy!

Typically, the month of August staff go away for some rest and support raising but that doesn't mean the place shuts down.   This year I stayed to make curriculum modifications, and prepare for staff training.

Tika worked alongside of me creating new animal signs for the petting farm.

Sam and the other facilitators put their arts and crafts talents into action by painting and decorating the wooden frames.  We have sent the signs to the print shop and will have this project finalized soon!

August is also a good time to do other maintenance projects. Julian Williams (on ladder) from Toronto, served on the island for three weeks.  One of his many projects was painting the inside Media Centre classroom.  Thanks Julian for volunteering your vacation time to serving here.

This year was more than painting projects and school year preparations.  At the end of August, the returning staff were welcomed back with the threat of  Tropical Storm Ericka that was headed straight for Nassau.  Pictured here, we as a staff are discussing tropical storm and hurricane procedures.  Though we were disheartened by the damage the storm did to Dominica, we were thankful for the prayers of many as we watched the storm slowly turn to the southwest.

Mixed in with ministry life there MUST be opportunities to sit back, relax, and be ministered to.  I am thank ful for these ladies that I can have coffee and prayer time with.  It is important to have others speaking into your life, and I am privileged to have both older and younger women to do that.

The weekend before my birthday a group of people came together in the outdoors, to celebrate "Jen" style.  Enjoying the outdoors and God's beautiful creation of course!

A friend loaned their kayak to me

And several of us got a chance to try.

August 31st - Day 1 of staff training.  Our program director, Dilan VanRyn introduced the day and gave an overview of the week.

It happened to be my actual birthday and also the day that was set aside to celebrate all staff with birthdays in the month of July and August.  

Day 1 of staff training we welcomed three new facilitators to the team.  Charlotte (left) from Canada, Hope, from Nassau and Micah, from Indiana.

As a way of introduction and tour of the facility, we sent the three new staff on a quest to lead the teams on a scavenger hunt.The veteran staff had to be blindfolded.......

....and mute......

.....leaving the new staff to lead the way!

We did several days of team building.  In an effort to keep veteran staff engaged, my challenge this year was to come up with different activities which I am thank ful seemed to draw out a lot of personality, learning and personality styles, etc.... etc... etc.....  Team building, whether in ministry or in the corporate setting, is one of many elements needed to facilitate a healthy group coming together in the formation stage.  

Another important element new to staff training this year, was some Bahamian culture training.  Most conflicts that arise in a team can be due to misunderstandings and assumptions.  This round circle discussion was a great opportunity to come together and openly talk about things that could be cultural misunderstandings.  It was valuable for getting some things communicated out in the open and providing some laughter.

Something that I greatly benefited from when serving at another camp was facilitator staff dinners.   This was  designed for the purpose of getting veteran and new staff together in an informal environment to help with team bonding in an informal environment.  The first dinner was at the Seeley house.  We enjoyed a meal and then a game of Mexican train dominos. in their screened in porch area.  We also had an evening.........

at my new place.....

the Wallace home......

Pat and Janice(end of table)......

...and pizza night at the Van Ryn home!

Curriculum training is going well.

 Micah is our youngest and has a very sweet  and easy going personality.

Hope was a summer camp staff member with us and has embraced the use of props to keep her teaching engaging.

Charlotte (Charlie) has come  to us with teaching experience and seems to enjoy the younger ages.

All three are well on their way to bringing the wonders of God's creation together with the curiosity of kids!

There has been much more going on during the last two weeks of staff training but I have only highlighted a few things.  Thanks to you all for your prayers as this is a busy time of year for me.    Thank you again and again for all who have read and are reading updates.  Please inform me if you would rather receive updates in a different way.  Currently, I send them via e-mail and facebook.

Love and blessings to you all:

Jen

Praises:

•  Productive month of August with curriculum and staff training preparations
• Staff training is going well.  New facilitators are open and receptive.
• Thank ful for a new place to live.

Prayer:

• Continued grace and dependence upon God for all staff through the training process
• Wisdom for me to have a healthy ministry, home, and church life balance
• Pray for continued adjustment to my new living situation
• Pray for wisdom and discernment for us as a leadership team at Adventure Learning Centre and Camp