CHRISTMAS LIGHTS DRIVE THRU 2017

"A Shepherd's Tale"

An annual community outreach and fundraiser - 6 nights of bright lights and Christmas story, told from a shepherd's perspective!

 This update features our annual fundraiser as well as the weeks and months leading up to it.  My goal is to take you on a picture tour from entry to exit of what the patrons experienced.  I have also included a link to a blog that one of our patrons posted on youtube.com so that you can get a feel of it through video as well!    The video does not include every scene with actors playing their parts but it gives you a general idea.  Enjoy!

https://goo.gl/sCaYQ5

The theme, “Do You Believe?”  The goal of this event, and the whole reason for why Adventure Learning Centre and Camp exist, is to proclaim the good news of Jesus; so that, FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE in Jesus, and his forgiveness of their sin, they will RECEIVE eternal life!  Many of the patrons entered the gates believing they would see a beautiful lights show but it was a whole lot more than that!

This was the admissions team on the first night of the event.(Mindy Seeley as well who photographed this picture) Traditionally, the popularity of the event brings cars waiting outside the gates and lined up down the road.  My role specifically was to greet and interact with patrons while counting their car as they made their way toward their adventure.  

  It was a blessing and a challenge to talk to each car. The challenge being, I am not naturally outgoing, but the blessing was getting to see the excitement and smiles and being able to thank them for supporting the ministry.  For those that are not aware, Adventure Learning Centre is a field trip site whose goal is to point to the creator and Savior through nature and Science programs.

See video for what was said at this station.   https://goo.gl/sCaYQ5
"It was magnificent! I had never seen such an illuminating sight. The angels shone like the sun.  I marveled that God chose us to see the child first. This was the king of prophecy, foretold for hundreds of years. Yet he was born through humble means. No palace. No servants. Just a stable. A manger. His parents are not rich, not royalty. This new king is like none other. It was a sight to behold. 

After the message is given from the shepherds, cars continue to drive thru as they enjoy the various light displays.

The beauty of the lights is for the purpose of pointing people to the cross and the true light of the world.......

who is our only HOPE for eternal life!

Watch out!  Entering the city gates.  The Roman guards warn that Caesar Augustus has decreed a census and that taxes are to be paid!

Upon entry of the city gates those market vendors trying to sell their merchandise! 

See video to hear what was said at this station. https://goo.gl/sCaYQ5
"Hey traveler. It looks like you are the type that likes good news! Well, I have some hot news for you. There is a special baby born...I don’t mean special because everybody thinks their baby is special...I mean special...because an angel told me so! My friends and I were watching our sheep...not too far from here...go down this road and you will surely see the place...go see for yourself!"

The Inn keeper says, "It is packed! There is absolutely nothing I can do at this point. I cannot accept any more guests. Try somewhere else." 

See video to hear what was said at this station. https://goo.gl/sCaYQ5
"Do not be afraid, I bring you good tidings of great joy... born to you this day, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord...born in the City of David! He is a special baby. You will know him because you will find him wrapped in swaddling cloth, lying in a manger."

See video for what was said at this station.  https://goo.gl/sCaYQ5
"Hello, hello! I’m a servant for a group of magi. I believe I am lost. I think this is the way to Jerusalem. We’re searching for the King of the Jews by following the star of David. I stopped for a quick second and they left me. Can you and your large beast ride hither and see you if you can find them? Tell them I am coming if you see them!"

As cars continue down the road, they enter Jerusalem and the temple courts. There they find a salesman. "Shalom! Can I interest you in some Jerusalem olive oil from the Mount of Olives...or how about camel fur for the cold Jerusalem nights...wait you are not from around here?  You know about that newborn king, don’t you? Well, I’m the one who sold his parents two turtle doves for the temple sacrifice! They left a while ago. Maybe they’re still at the temple. If you go ahead maybe you can still catch up to them." 

Traveling within the temple courts.....

Meanwhile, in another part of the temple  the cars pass by an old woman. "Hello. You look a little lost. My name is Anna and I have lived in this temple a long time and I’ve never seen you around before. I’m sorry for being so emotional. But I’m a very old woman...and the Lord has allowed me to see The Redemption of Israel! He is here! The promised One! Thank you, Lord! Oh...I’m so sorry you missed him." 

Continuing on through the temple courts to find Simeon in the Temple

Simeon in the temple."Welcome to the Temple, my friends. My heart is rejoicing!! Mine Eyes have seen your Salvation Lord. The Salvation that has been prepared for the face of all people. A revealing light for the Gentiles and glory of the Israelites. Now your servant may depart in peace! The Messiah has come! The long-awaited Savior!" 
 ____ 

Head Priest beckons the car to come in a secretive manner. He and the head scribe are walking away from the temple.

Priest: I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation. We have news of the promised

Messiah.
Scribe: Magi have come to Jerusalem in search of the new king of the Jews. It’s not our fault that Herod tricked them. We were only doing our jobs.
Priest:  Exactly. As the high priest of Herod’s counsel, it was in my best interest to inform him that the child would be born in Bethlehem as the prophet had said.
Scribe: Still, I can’t help but think what Herod will do to the child when he finds him.
Priest: Maybe he will worship him like he said he would. 
Scribe: (Looks at the cars) Maybe you can warn those magi. If you continue down this road I think you’ll catch up to them.

Another shepherd traveling stops the car:  "I know you. It’s me Jedijudah! The shepherd. I told you about the newborn king! Why are you in Jerusalem? You are off course. Common mistake. Everyone thinks the king should be born in Jerusalem. But you need to go back to Bethlehem. Follow this road...you can’t miss it. Tell the little lad Jedijudah said hi!"

"Are you on your way to see the king as well? It seems to be just ahead. We’re almost there! From what we’ve heard during our travels I can’t wait to see the king and offer Him our Master’s gifts. We’ve been traveling for a long time...from the Far East. It will soon be my turn and my master will call me to present the gift. I can’t wait to meet him."

See video for what was said at this station. https://goo.gl/sCaYQ5
"Shhhhhh! He’s sleeping. His name is Jesus. He is the newborn king...the finest gifts they bring...but I had no gift to bring...nothing fit for a king. But I had a drum I could play...and I could play my best for him."

See video for what was said at this station. https://goo.gl/sCaYQ5
 “What?? The Magi betrayed me?? “Do they take me for a clown?” I shall have them killed! Wait, that’s not enough! Every child age two and under. Find them and get rid of them! What are you looking at? I AM YOUR KING! How dare they make a mockery of me! Go!  “What are you here to mock me as well? Move along.” 

Angel that appeared to Joseph in a dream)
 "Do not be afraid. And do not worry about King Herod. I am the angel that was assigned to speak to Joseph on a dream. I told him to take Mary and Jesus. Flee to Egypt. The baby will be safe. He will fulfill his mission to be a living sacrifice to make a way for all men to go to heaven. This is only the beginning of His story."

As cars exit the pageantry, they approach more shepherds.  Can't see it in the picture, but these shepherds are sharing the good news with each car.  See the video to see it for yourself! 

https://goo.gl/sCaYQ5

Patrons are given candy canes in the shape of a shepherds staff as a reminder that we all are in need of a shepherd.   Jesus says, I am the good shepherd, the shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep.  The red stripes on the candy cane representing the blood of Christ and the white representing our sins being washed white as snow!

After hearing the good news, cars continue on to admire the beautiful lights display as they make their way toward the exit.

Hard to see in this picture but there were some carolers singing to the cars as they passed by.

See video: https://goo.gl/sCaYQ5

As cars exit, they have one more opportunity to see this scene displayed to again emphasize the real reason for the season; a Savior and King who was born to Save mankind!  We had to cancel 1 night due to heavy wind and rain but in total, for the 5 other nights, we had 930 cars come with 3,279 people heard the good news!

Many patrons that came through asked, how long did it take to put something like this together?  It took us 2 months, and this is the team that worked on the various projects to make it happen (not pictured Tika Penn and Tim and Felicia Ryn)  

Our teaching staff spent all of October and November teaching programs followed by a couple hours a day of building props,

designing lights and scenes for the pageantry

 and up and down off ladders hanging lights.

STAFF SERVICE / SOUL CARE DAY

In between those two busy months, we held our first monthly staff inservice / soul care day, an initiative I personally brought to both the leadership team and board of Directors of Adventure Learning Centre and Camp.

  

One of the things I learned early in the year of 2017 while I was away on a 3 month sabbatical, was the importance of living in a rhythm of ministry and rest.  Jesus himself modeled this pattern of living as he put himself fully and 100% into ministry.  But when the time came for him to get away, retreat, and meet with his Father along the sea or up on a mountain, he did so; and he was fully present with his father.  Sometimes it is believed that we can just keep going with no time to recharge and often we put unnecessary pressures on ourselves to do so.  But what I go back to is this; if Jesus modeled this pattern of 100% engaged in ministry followed by 100% disengaged for soul care, then what makes us think we should live any differently? Of course we all are wired differently, and require varying amounts of rest, but I believe the danger in both ministry AND marketplace is that we put our ALL into what we are doing but to the detriment of the things that are important in the grand scheme of things.  My new ministry focus is to promote staff care within our ministry.

In October we combined a day of reaching out into our community with some time for rest and fellowship.  Billy (right) and Leah Slater, other  missionaries on the island were two of the first teaching facilitators at the Adventure Learning Centre more than 20 years ago.  They have since then married, had a family of their own, and have used their home to reach out to children and young adults.  Billy and Leah had some projects in their home that fit within the timing of our reaching out to serve them.  It was a blessing to be a blessing to someone else when usually we as a ministry are being blessed by others that come to serve us.

       So we ripped out a ceiling

cleaned,


did some yard work,

and enjoyed some food and time of fellowship playing games and relaxing by the water.  Thanks to a donor  (you know who you are) who gave specifically toward staff care, the lunch was taken care of at no cost to the Adventure Learning Centre and Camp.  Prayerfully consider partnering with me in giving toward the staff care account for this coming year. Please contact me about how you can donate specifically towards this effort!

HOME  FOR  THE  HOLIDAYS!

 And boom, just like that I am home again!   But do you notice something in this picture that is odd?  For the first time in the history of this house, a for sale sign is in the front yard!   The house that my parents built 40 years ago, and the only home I ever lived in growing up, has been sold! I am home for the holidays to help my parents move!

I arrived just in time to find the house packed up in boxes

 but I have been able to help take apart shelving units in the basement,

and pack some boxes as well.

The moving truck arrives December 27th and we will say goodbye to this earthly home.  As I process this transition for my parents, I am reminded that this world is not our home.  Just as my parents will be preparing and unpacking and setting up their new home in just a few days, I anticipate my heavenly home which is being prepared for those of us who have believed and received the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.  He is coming soon!   And I am ready for this new home!  

Blessings to you and your family this Christmas season!

Thanks again for all of your prayers and financial support as I have experienced the grace of God through another year.

Please keep my family in prayer:

• For my parents:  We move them December 27th-29th.  For health and strength and weather that is conducive for moving in and out of the houses.
• For my sister Lindsay:  As she has gone through a divorce this past year and has begun a new life.
• For myself: For God's continued guidance in whatever direction change he may be taking me in in the coming year.

For the Ministry:

• Pray for the provision of an Executive Director
• Pray for the provision of a Program Director whom I may train
• Pray for open doors and resources as well as time to get back into curriculum development (specifically a marine program)
• Pray for the provision of a full time maintenance with mechanical experience.
• Pray for the provision of staff.  We've been operating on a very small staff this year.