Change Ahead!

But press on until that direction is clear. 

This was the message from the Lord more than a year ago when given the chance to stay onboard a ship as a special guest. One of those nights I woke out of a deep sleep (which is rare for me), with a very strong sense that He was telling me a change of direction is happening. 

Did you know that at one point in my life I found myself sailing in a 60 foot sail boat across the Atlantic?  No.... it was not a dream! (ask me about the story later) During that experience, I was assigned to do the middle of the night "watch" which means I had the wonderful responsibility of keeping the sailboat on course.  For anyone that has maneuvered a larger vessel or ship, the initial turn of the wheel doesn't yield immediate results.  Nevertheless, the change in direction has been made while the course and final destination are still in process.

Similarly, that is how I would describe the past year.  My prayer has always been since the first year, that I would serve here until the Lord changed my direction.  While the change of direction was made clear back in 2017, the how and when wasn't.    And just as the initial movement of the ship's wheel doesn't yield immediate results,  the direction change  for my life hasn't yet yielded visible results which is why I've been careful to make any immediate or "sudden movements" or decisions which could have taken me off course.

And though my course and final destination have yet to be finalized, the Lord has confirmed the timing of my departure and "my ship" is set to sail at the end of the 2018-2019 school year. In other words, I will be leaving Adventure Learning Centre & Camp and the Bahamas.  Though a date has yet to be finalized, this transition will happen sometime in June 2019.   My heart has consistently desired for there to be a training in of my replacement and a healthy transition period.  God has always provided what is needed for HIS ministry but for the first time in 5 years, I believe there are some systems and procedures being implemented where it would be possible to have someone in place prior to my departure.  Would you pray with me for the person that God is raising up as well as the transition period of training and "letting go" for me as I let God take over the wheel as he has done for 25 years and promises to continue to do.

Now for a 6 month RECAP!  (Has it really been that long?????)

July 2018

  This past summer I stepped away from summer camp involvement to focus again on curriculum development.  The desire was for existing programs to be reviewed, refreshed and expanded upon.  This effort requires leg work such as assessing national exam scores, identifying gap areas where students are needing additional support and creating exercises and activities that assist the Ministry of Education Officers as we partner with them to better equip students.  The quality education and endorsement from the Ministry of Education is essential for us to continue to get students in each year to hear the message of Jesus.   Pictured here is the Primary Level Social Studies Curriculum officer, Mrs. Hart.  Mrs. Hart warmly welcomed me to participate with her team of teachers during their teachers workshop day in July.  

August 2018

In August, a team of us attended an exhibit at the local mall where we were able to showcase the ministry, and what Adventure Learning Centre has to offer to the community.  Of course the animals drew a crowd but an opportunity to shine our light through conversation with those who stopped by.

 
The end of August was a difficult goodbye to a long serving missionary to the Adventure Learning Centre and Camp.  Claudia (Sam) Robb (third from left) went on to serve on the Logos Hope Ship.  She is continuing to serve well with that ministry but we miss her greatly!

September 2018

September was the start of a new school year with a new director and new staff members.  For 3 weeks, staff encountered curriculum training, bus, puppet, and animal handling as well as general all staff trainings.

                                           Curriculum Training

Bus Training                   Animal Handling Training

October 2018

  Training is necessary, but each year I am relieved once the bulk of staff training is over and the kids begin to come.  While it is important to prepare ourselves for delivering a quality educational program, the whole reason we exist is to point everyone that comes through those gates to the creator and Savior of the world.   Ultimately the students will remember their experience and how they were loved and cared for before they will remember what they learned.  

 

At the end of October we hosted 65 primary and secondary level science, social studies, religious studies teachers and curriculum officers from the Ministry of Education.   The main purpose for their professional development day was to recommit to our partnership as educators, showcase our offerings, while sharing with them the love of Jesus by providing a fun day for them to go back to "being a kid" for one day.  They were greeted with warm welcome and smiles and left with an urge to go back to their schools and plan their next field trip day.

Throughout the day, teachers were again reminded that in everything we do (outdoor science programming, wetland conservation, and planetarium programs) Adventure Learning Centre and Camp exists to bing the message of Jesus Christ through the nature and planetarium programs.  In addition, new this year, Executive Director, Dr. Kenneth Romer has a heart to reach high school students with a values based leadership program using the John Maxwell organization curriculum called iChoose.

  Ministry of Education Curriculum Officers: (from left to right)  Mrs. Johnson, Primary Religious Studies Curriculum Officer; Mrs. Hart, Primary Social Studies Curriculum Officer; Mrs. Dorsett, Primary Science Curriculum Officer; Dr. Kenneth Romer, Adventure Learning Centre & Camp Executive Director

November 2018

We went into full force beginning of November putting up Christmas lights for the annual Christmas Lights Drive Thru.  This year we've expanded to 9 nights and the first 5 nights are a walk through festival with activities, music, food, animal encounters etc.... all while hearing the message of the Christ that was born to die.  The good news doesn't come without first hearing the bad news.  

Many evenings spent later turning on lights to test the functionality of the aging lights and to assess areas on the property still needing to be lit.

Dec. 2018

We've completed the first two of 9  nights.  December 14th-16th will be three more nights of the walk through festival.  Dec. 21st-24th, the property will be opened to cars for driving through to see the lights, and drama presentations.

Horse pasture turned into a green pasture with peaceful river and majestic mountains in the background.  Reminds me of Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul.......

 Every year at this time, though the the juggling of schedules and managing of Christmas lights preparations can be all consuming, the real reason behind all of it is to raise funds so that we may continue to do what this ministry was designed to do.....and that is to reach students with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The newest wetland program called Brilliant Resilient Mangroves, was written by one of my colleagues, Tika Penn.  She did some training with us in November because for the first time in 2 years, we had a grade 6 that wanted to come during the first term.  Usually grade 6 book field trips in the spring term as a review for grade level national exams.

Pictured here, the grade 6 students from Uriah McPhee, are putting together a chart of factors that create change within a wetland environment.  Some change is Human induced while others are by natural means.  Students were asked to determine which factors belonged in which category.  Through this activity, the truth of God's word is intertwined within the program reminding students that in the midst of change in our world, and all around us, perhaps within our very own homes that God is the everlasting and unchanging God.  

Tika Penn, the writer of the curriculum writes: 

 " What can you do if you feel lost, afraid, confused or if your world seems to be falling apart?

Turn to God! Let Him be your refuge!"

Psalm 46 says:

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

Hebrews 13:8 

 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

² Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
³ Though its waters roar and be troubled…

Be still, and know that I am God;

The Lord of hosts is with us…our refuge.

"God promises to be our anchor when sudden, terrifying changes come and forever. So, if we fix our eyes on Him and trust in Him, no matter what storms or change this life might bring; we can be sure that he will give us the resilience to overcome anything!"

And so I end this blog update with the way I started.  Change ahead!  We can be certain of that!  But in the midst of the changes going on with me in the coming months, I choose to trust in the God who is my refuge and strength    Who is my present help in time of need.  

Praise:

• Praise God for His faithfulness and provision for all of my needs great and small
• Praise God for the strength given each day through the ups and the downs
• Praise God for answered prayers.

Prayer Request:

• Pray for the leadership of Adventure Learning Centre and Camp, that all decisions, and direction for the ministry would be glorifying to God.
• Pray for the person God is raising up to be my replacement, that he or she would be a person who has a servant heart and that a succession plan be implemented prior to my departure.
• Pray that I may keep my eyes fixed on the Lord and that I may finish well!
• Pray for the Lord's direction and guidance for the coming months as I anticipate this transition.
• Pray for the Lord to open doors where HE wants me to be and what HE wants me to do.
• Pray for the management of visitations with friends  and family while getting some needed rest.  
• Pray for a rich time with God during my mountain retreat in January.

Thank you all once again for your faithful interest in the ministry that goes on here at the Adventure Learning Centre and Camp as well as your generous support to me individually.

Blessings to you and your family this Christmas season!

Jen Rogers