Greetings family and friends! It has been a long pause since you've received an update from me. Though it was my intention to get one out sooner, I've been unable to carve time into my schedule to do so. Thank you for your understanding in this.
As some of you know, with the departure of our Program Director and his wife in December, I agreed to assume a portion of his responsibilities back in January. Thank you for your prayers! By the grace of God it has been going well! A lot of moving pieces but it makes me ever so aware of my need for Jesus every minute of the day! I am thank ful for promises that he is my refuge and strength, my very present help in time of need. And that he shelter's me under his wings. I have also been given sweet kisses from God, reminding and assuring me of his constant care and confirmation that what I am doing in the Bahamas is his plan for me right now.
One of those sweet kisses came in the form of his creation. We had three baby goats born a few weeks ago. As I stood and watched them after only a few hours old stumble around aimlessly with afterbirth still attached to them, I couldn't help but think of how those precious little ones are much like you and me. The mother was within reach to gently nudge them beneath her where they would find the warmth and sustenance they needed to stand. Likewise, we stumble around weak and feeble not really knowing which way we are to go until we get that gentle nudge from our father, pushing us under the shelter of his wings. I don't know.....it must be the way that I am wired to connect with the Lord through his creation but I get a word from him frequently and it serves to be a simple yet powerful message each time!
The other kiss from God happened twice within a couple of weeks. This one came in the form of divine appointments. The first, at a bus stop that I don't normally stand at. Odell, (pictured above) and his two younger brothers had been in my Sunday School class back in 1997-1999 when I served here as a short term missionary. Now a grown man, he works, and from the ten minutes I had with him, appears to be a responsible young man. I ask that you pray with me for this young leader that He would return back to church as he confidently assured me, "It's in me!" I pray that Odell would positively lead younger men to love and follow Jesus!
The second divine appointment was at the Adventure Learning Centre just a couple of days ago. A local businessman and ALC supporter is doing some volunteer work to re landscape some of the property. I introduced myself to one of his crew men. Turns out, this young man, Darron was also a boy that I interacted with at Sunday School and spent time with when our team would go to the Ranfurly Home for Children (local orphanage).
DISCIPLESHIP IS IMPORTANT!
Last week at Adventure Club, we played a Bible Trivia game.... A fun way to review Bible facts. Our theme for this semester is "I REP Christ". Since we are unsure of where some of the students are in their relationship with God, the gospel is presented every other week with the alternate weeks focussing on how to represent Christ in the way we live.
Nothing peaceful about some of the games we play on Friday nights at youth night! This year we are taking one fruit of the Spirit per month and attempting to make it meaningful to the young people as we seek to build in them the desire to live their lives according to God's word. The month of February we focussed on Patience. Playing Jenga, and Mad Gab requires patience if any of you have ever played those games!
NEW RESPONSIBILITIES
Speaking of living out the fruits of the Spirit in our daily lives, patience has been something that I have had to practice on more than one occasion. This picture only shows one of the many hats that I wear as Program Director. A large part of my new role is communicating with teachers and sending out emails and confirmation letters etc...to those who have booked a program with us. Wouldn't you know, the very month that we are talking about patience during youth night is precisely the time that for two weeks we had difficulty with internet connection. :) This makes it difficult to do my daily responsibilities and even the facilitators practiced patience as they listened to me grumble about the malfunctioning internet. Thanks for your patience ladies!
NEW STAFF
I am not the only one with new responsibilities. With the new year, brought 3 new staff to our team. (Left to Right) Garnett Hepburn- animal care and grounds manager. Chloe Eisermann - Teaching Facilitator. Aaron Mills - ALC Camp Maintenance / house keeping & IT needs. All three are learning their roles and doing a very good job serving at the centre and camp!
At the end of January we had a gentleman from Switzerland come to serve for a couple of months and to work on his English. Tobias has been doing electrical work at the centre, maintenance things at the camp, and participates in our Tuesday afternoon Adventure Club. He will return to Switzerland at the end of March.
NEW PROGRAMS
As part of a new initiative through a government funded program, we have partnered with a local pastor to reach a community of young people in grades 7-12 that society would consider "AT RISK." We would like to look at this initiative as OPPORTUNITY to encourage this next generation to be young men and woman of integrity. Through this new program, students rotate through four team building activities with a goal to engage them in learning how work together as a team, to manage anger and frustration, and to communicate in a self controlled way to accomplish a task. Other community speakers are invited and the gospel message is shared at the end of the day. Please pray for young people coming for these programs. This is a pilot program and are working through the details on how we may continue to minister in this way in the future.
WHEELS!!!
Like my new ride? Because many of our early programs with a 9a.m. pick up time are on the north side of the island, and ALC is on the south side, I've been taking the bus home at night. This helps to avoid sitting in morning school traffic. Only in the Bahamas can you park a school bus in your front yard and not wake up the next day with it towed away! :) As for my car update.....the Lord has been providing and I am officially shopping again! Please pray that I may be directed to the right one. Thank you!
STAFF SOCIALS
Early February, I had the opportunity to host a ladies night at my home . We enjoyed some Mexican food, fellowship and fun!
February 7, 2016 - Super Bowl Sunday
Jen was pleased to see the outcome! Great job Broncos!
CHURCH FAMILY
I am still getting out to support various church family from time to time although not as frequently as I would like! Pictured here is a sister (Kendra-next to me). She and I teach Sunday School class together for the youngest pre-school class. Here we and the young people are enjoying........
a ball game! Andre is rounding third base!
ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS
At the end of January, our office manager, Eldora, lost her husband unexpectedly. Please continue to pray for her comfort and healing during this time of loss. Pray for her son Raymond Junior who is 15 and her daughter Savannah who is 5.
This old train keeps chugging away but we thank God that He is already at work to provide the next one once it decides to quit. With that being said, please pray that it holds up through our busiest time of the school year. The month of March is packed with school bookings and this is a huge part of the programming that brings smiles to the faces of children each day!
Please cover our buses in your prayers as well since this is another essential piece of both the ministry of the Camp (which has a very packed schedule from March-July) as well as the centre. This one pictured is our newest and best functioning out of the four but in order to make it through the month of March we need all four of them running properly.
Please continue to pray about the land issue. A few weeks ago we were informed that the school that you can vaguely see in the background has been given permission to begin their plans of clearing the land to build an auditorium and ball fields. This would include all the land between the observation tower that you see pictured all the way back as far as you can see trees in the photo.
This government crown land has been left natural from the beginning of the ALC ministry and has served to aid us in pointing students to the creator for 23 years. Within that blackland forest you can find the picnic table outdoor classroom where we have taught about native plants and various other nature trail programs. Though we have been given the news, we have yet to get confirmation from the Prime Minister's (president) office. I believe God is bigger than anything that the enemy wants to do in this matter and so until I see bull dozers I will continue to pray that God would preserve this land if it is His will. This is very near and dear to my heart. Please pray for my heart to accept what I cannot change and to trust in God for vision and direction in how to adjust programs if this should materialize.
Easter Monday is March 28, 2016! We are busy with preparations for our annual fundraiser.
A significant area of Prayer is in the horse rides area. Easter Monday horse rides are a popular activity. In the past we have had three horses. Having lost Sean this year, a big gap has been left. Though we have filled his position, Garnett is still learning and we are in need of both a third horse, as well as people comfortable leading the horses. Please pray for us that God would provide in this area. This again is an activity that brings smiles to the faces of both children and adults!
Though this is an important fundraiser that helps us offset costs of programming throughout the school year, our primary goal is to share Christ as they see the gospel acted out in the train skit and as they consider the vast measure of God's love through the planetarium experience. Please pray for all ALC and Camp Staff as we work to prepare our assigned areas; that volunteers would commit, and that God would be glorified in every interaction.
Again, THANKS to each and every one of you who support us whether it is in a financial way or serve as a prayer warrior. Some of you are faithful to read the updates and that greatly blesses me as well! So thank you again!
Blessings to all
Jen
