TO GOD BE THE GLORY GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE!

     

                                                                                                                                                         

                      

                       

                 

                  

                                                

Gazing upon the picures above, I am humbled and brought to my knees in thanksgiving to have served for a time and season with the purpose of planting seeds through the programming at Adventure Learning Centre and Camp.  The photos portray only a fraction of relationships built, experiences had, and impact made.  To God be the glory, great things He has done!

Shortly before leaving Nassau nearly 3 weeks ago, I recall a dream; and in that dream, a picture of myself similar to the one above. But in the dream, I was picking fruit from a tree and delighting in the sweet taste of its fruitfulness. It is rare that I remember dreams, and I dont claim to be gifted in interpreting them, but I do believe that it has meaning.  Could it mean having worked hard to plant the seeds of the gospel message that I will see and enjoy the results in my lifetime? Perhaps.  It has happend before.  I have run into individuals from 20 years ago that are a living testimony of fruitfulness as a result of those seeds planted then. But it is more likely that the bulk of the harvest will be revealed in eternity. Perhaps on a personal level, it means that  I have finished one season and am entering into another season of enjoyment?  Whatever it is, I am believing by faith that it will be sweet.  

VIDEO  TRAINING  PROJECT

The video Training Project is FINISHED and has been submitted to the Adventure Learning Centre & Camp leadership.  Thank you kindly to all who supported both financially and for the many prayers that sustained me in that stretching but rewarding process.  (For those who are unfamiliar with the purpose of this project, see my previous May and June blog entries.)  Trevor Clarke did a fantastic job of professionally organzing script meetings, shoot times/schedules, and more hours than one might guess editing and putting the pieces together.  After the project had been completed, Trevor shared with me that the cost of a project of this nature would have been about $7500.  With your donations, we raised $2500 of that to give to him as a stipend.  Thank you Trevor for using your time, talent and treasure to serve in this way. Thank you friends and family that contributed in whatever way by partnering together to provide a training resource that will be used in years to come.

LAST DAY OF  PROGRAM

   

  As you might expect, it was a very "surreal" experience when the day came for me to sit in the bus seat for the last time and pick up a group of 4th grade students from Kingsway Academy.  Those that know me well, would remember that I get sentimental when it is "the last time" of doing or seeing or experiencing something.  It was no different this day.

 PARTNERS  IN  EDUCATION

Without the partnership of these curriculum officers from the government office known as The Ministry of Education, the field trips to Adventure Learning Centre would not be possible.  All curriculum content developed and delivered for the field trip experience are endorsed by the Ministry of Education as it meets grade level learning outcomes. I had the priviledge of helping to plan and lead Teacher inservice and workshops hosted by us at the Adventure Learning Centre at various times over the years.  The picture of the three of us from left to right:  Mrs Hart- Primary level Social Studies Curriculum Officer.  Myself in the middle.  Mrs. Dorsett- Primary level Science Curriculum Officer.  Thank you ladies for your support over the years!

SEE  YA  LATER  BAHAMIAN  FRIENDS  AND  FAMILY

My last day at Adventure Learning Centre was June 21st, but I am thank ful for the additional two weeks after that tying up loose ends, and spending time with as many as my schedule would allow.  

House Mates- Candi (left).  Anne Marie (right)

 
Kenny & Celine- Two of my fledglings (instructional team)

Wayde & Priscilla Sands- House land lords

Mrs. Rolle- Field Trip organizing teacher

Maggie- Friend

Teddy & Yvonne Bootle- Family that took me under their wing

Odessa & Celavie- ALC Groundsmen

Maggie- friend

Sharon- ALC Board member

Charmaine- Friend

                                                   

Some but not all of my ALC family- game night

CHURCH   FAMILY

In my 6 years in Nassau, this was the group of people within my church that I walked most closely with.  Our "Care" group would meet weekly to share in Biblical fellowship, food, and fun! They threw me a big Bahamian meal to send me off.  

Care Group Family

Pastor Moss and wife Alexine

Patrice & Faye- ladies outing

Troy Miller

Calvin & Keisha Dean

Lynden & Shelly Nairn

Faye Bascom & Leando                                  Godet family

Amanda Smith

Conch Salad on left / Tropical conch salad on right

Rolle Family

Michelle Bain and her family

                                             Shelly cutting Bahamian Guava Duff

SEE YA  LATER  ALC  FAMILY

July 10th, my departure day, was also the Bahamas 46th year of Independence.  Many of the staff got up on their day off to ride along in the bus to see me off.  We Bahamians all dressed up in the Bahamas flag colors.  Though my heart torn to leave this beautiful people and country, it was also very full.

I cannot even begin to explain the emotion that overwhelmed me as I walked away from this group of people and stepped through security and onto this plane for the last time as a Bahamian resident.

As the plane took off, I began to weep with a sadness to be leaving this beautiful country, people, and ministry that I have poured myself into these 6 years.  It was a "quiet" uncontrolable weeping, but in that moment, I was thankful for God's kindness to allow me to have the row to myself so that I may be comforted in His arms as the island slowly faded away and the vast turquoise of the shallow Bahamian waters turned into solid dark blue.  This solid dark blue color of the water,  another reminder of the depth of God's love for me as I leave this season and move towards the next.

DENVER  WELCOMING  CREW

The love of dear friends and family in Nassau was matched that day by a welcoming crew of dear friends and family on the other side to welcome me bak to Denver.  My parents and sisters were all out of town that day so they are not pictured here, but I have seen them all and interacted some and I am settling in, taking one day at a time.  

This picture was taken one of my first evenings back. The Lord reminded me that just as he is faithful to allow the sun to rise and set each day, that He will be faithful in my life.  

Isaiah 40:8  The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. 

'I's Bahamian Now'

Many of my Bahamian family would have said in Bahamian slang, "Jen, You's Bahamian now!"    I could'nt agree more!  The experience wasn't the paradise that many might have assumed.  It was one of the most growing and stretching seasons in my life thus far; and therefore all the more enriching!   

Thank you to each one who has followed my story from the beginning as well as those who joined in throghout the journey.  If you are interested in continuing in the journey, I plan to give updates throughout this transition to update you as I can about whatever it is that is next.

Next steps:

1. I am resting now and getting reconnected with friends and family here in Denver.
2. Enjoying some of the outdoors that Colorado has to offer during the summer time!
3. I am praying about spending a few weeks at a ministry center in September for a time of rest and reflection and seeking the Lord for next steps.
4. I have been enocuraged not to rush into anything but knowing myself, I will want to be planning for what is ahead.
5. Please pray with me that if there is a road I should walk that the Lord would help me to find it; and that if he wants for me to be still, that he would give peace for the moment. 

Many have asked how they may help duirng this transiton time. Shepherd's staff, the missions facilitator handling my finances will continue to receive your donations through the end of September.  If you are interested in that information, see below.

Shepherd's Staff Missions Facilitators
6739 Academy Rd NE. Suite 320 Albuquerque, NM  87109
Please write Missionary # 4309 in the memo section on your check

Or donate online at:   https://ssmfi.org/missionary/jennifer-rogers/


Thank you again for journeying with me

Together for Christ,

Jen