THE LOVE OF GOD!

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!

These examples above are gifts from God and reminders to continue the good work even when it doesn't always yield the fruit now! It is important!  It is for God's glory and it is for this reason that I continue to serve in the capacity that I have because it IS making a difference.

The girls pictured here are in my Adventure Club which meets weekly after school.  Please continue to pray for this discipleship program that children would come to know God personally and that it would affect their lives eternally.

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

Low on Power?  Get a Free Charge!

He gives power to the faint; and to him who has no might He increases strength.   Isaiah 40:29

"Low on power?  Get a free charge!"  So read a number of signs in Chicago's O'hare airport.  Travelers were invited to recharge their electronic equipment without cost.  As a believer, are you running low on power?  Did you run well at one time, but now you desperately need to reconnect to the greatest source of power?  The above verse gives the solution, "He gives power."  His power is found as you bend your knees before the Lord and an open Bible.  He promises to increase your spiritual strength.  Connect today.    

    -Arnot McdIntee

His pow'r has no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again! - Annie Johnson Flint

I found this devotional appropriate for the season where additional power is needed to light trees, houses, fences etc....and where gifts, holiday party and outings charge us emotionally.  It is is a wonderful time of the year!  However, like charging up your phone, tablet, or computer, it is temporary, and requires a recharge.

When traveling a few days ago to visit family and friends for Christmas, I was reminded again of the "need" for power in our society.   Airports are filled with people searching for a place to plug in. Individuals are desperate to find  precious but limited power sources in order to maintain communication with the world.    How comforting that the power source we really "need"  is available everywhere and at anytime.  There is no need for a labeled kiosk saying "free recharge"  The recharge we need comes unlimited and free but we have to be intentional about grasping for it.

So this Christmas, I recognize that I am running low on power.   I desperately need to reconnect with the Lord, which is my greatest source of power.  Being with family and friends and being warmly embraced by those I dearly love has filled my heart with love but I am in need of time alone, plugged into God alone, whose pow'r has no boundary or end. As I spend some time in the mountains during this retreat........

Please pray:

1. For rest and relaxation in the beauty of the mountains.   
2. That I may meditate on God's word and that through it I would be renewed in body, mind and spirit.
3. For wisdom and courage as I contemplate the responsibilities facing me in the coming year.

   
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS DRIVE THRU  

Dec. 4-6     AND     Dec. 11-13

Thanks to the acting skills, caroling voices, and servant hands and feet to help share the Good News about the true Light of the World, the Christmas Lights Drive Thru was a major success!  With such a good response last year we extended the event this year to two weekends.  Over the course of the two weekends, we saw over 4,600 people.

This event is a major fundraising event to help us continue to operate as a non-profit ministry.  It's because of events like these that we are able to continue to minister to thousands of Bahamians each year through the ministries at the Centre and Camp.

Below is a picture tour.  If you saw pictures from last year, look again!  We added more lights and the sets were decorated differently!  For a little added bonus, I have included a link at the end of the picture tour with a video of the event.  Enjoy!

  This event is much more than lights!  Its about pointing people to the LIGHT OF THE WORLD!  The  pageantry alone required 30 plus actors/actresses, which we acquired by partnering with different churches on the island. Dilan Van Ryn and Mark Wallace worked hard pulling together and coordinating the actors.  To pull off an event like this, Dilan did a fantastic job of coordinating the 60 plus volunteers needed for each night of the event.  In this photo we are gathered around the flag pole for prayer.

The white gates are opened and cars are transformed into "donkeys" as they journey toward Bethlehem.

First view as they enter

After entering the gates, and seeing the lights, "donkeys" are greeted by those of us along the road collecting "taxes" (admission fee) and offering glow sticks to light their path toward Bethlehem.

Oh....who do we have here?   The Prophet Isaiah......with a message from the Lord!

And three "wise guys" (the wisemen) looking lost and asking for directions.  They are looking for the new born King!

The journey is long and there is much waiting.... (There are many other"donkeys" waiting to see the 

new born King!)   Donkey's stop for a drink and something to eat (concessions) to carry them through the rest of their journey. 

What?  More taxes?  The Roman soldiers guarding the gate, demanding for VAT tax (value added tax) A new tax that has been added to all purchased items  in the Bahamas.  (This adds some cultural relevance for Bahamians to be entertained by)

Inside the gate, marketers are aggressively selling  their merchandise!

Along the road, we meet Joseph and a very pregnant Mary, looking for a place to rest.

No Room at the inn???  You are sitting playing domino's and can't help us? Where is the customer service? 

Look!  An angel!  What does she say?  A Savior has been born!  Go.......You  will find him ........

wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

Shepherd's in the fields saw the star.

Fast forward a few years.  Jesus as a boy, found in the temple.  "Did you not know that I must be about my father's business?"

Jesus calling his disciples "Come, follow me, that I may make you fishers of men!"

Jesus, teaching at the Mount of Olives.  Blessed are the.........

The donkeys are moving slowly.  Ushers along the road help to keep them moving.  Hurry, Jesus is about to sit with his disciples.......

 inviting them to join him in the last supper.

Mary, grieving at the foot of the cross after her son Jesus was crucified.

The angel proclaiming the tomb is empty.  Jesus is alive!  Now go and proclaim it to the world!

As the donkey returns to reality and become a car again, they are greeted by Mark Wallace or a local pastor assisting him who challenge them to consider the true LIGHT OF  THE WORLD.  JESUS!  HE SAVES!

Cars continue driving through the property to admire the lights.

As cars move toward the exit, they are greeted with a Christmas song by the puppets.

The you tube video link below was recorded about 5 years ago when the event was done for the very first time by a group of people involved in a discipleship program (Patmos) on the isalnd. Unfortunately this years video has not yet been completed, but you can get an idea of what we did.  There are some differences in some of the lines but 90% of it is the same as what we did this year.  The biggest difference is that this year we had all Bahamian actors and actresses which is awesome that the community has come together to put on something of this magnitude to glorify the Lord.  Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydJBsNJxPYY

Blessings to you and your family this Christmas and into the New Year!

Jen

HELP LORD!  WE NEED YOU!

PSALM 121:1-2  I lift my eyes to the hills.  From where does my help come? My help comes from you Lord, who made the heavens and the earth.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

SEAN WILSON 

I cannot tell you how many times our brother and friend friend Sean quoted the verses above as he would lead us in prayer during morning staff devotions.  ALC&C lost Sean Wilson, our animal caretaker and grounds manager, on October 28th. Sean had been on his way to church on Sunday morning, October 24th when he suffered injuries to his lungs in a motor vehicle accident.  He was taken to the hospital after the accident where he died three days later. Sean had been a part of the ALC&C ministry for over 22 years.  Those who knew him know how much he loved the animals he cared for and how he loved seeing the kids come through the gates of the Adventure Learning Centre to "experience a little slice of heaven." He is greatly missed already.  

We remember Sean.....

Horse rides will never be the same.....

 
Sean's playful personality                 Early days -junkanoo drums

      Sean at ALC family gatherings.   He LOVED Sour Sop!

He loved those animals!

All Staff Photo September 29, 2015 - 1 month before Sean's death

Sean encouraged anyone that he talked to.....a reflection of a life rich with faith building experiences that he used to encourage others in their faith.  He had a dramatic life testimony of  God saving him from the street life of drugs and alcohol;and after coming to the Adventure Learning Centre as a baby Christian, and  being discipled there over the years, he grew into a strong disciple of the many that have come through the gates of ALC.  Today I'd like to share a word from the Lord that came to me from the mouth of this man Sean, God's willing and faithful servant.   

 Sean could be found in this very spot every morning with his breakfast, Bible, and of course his paper.  My last conversation with him was here at this table, less than a week before the car accident.  As I sat with him that morning, eating my breakfast, he asked me how the "bus riding experience" was going.  (For those of you unaware, I totaled my car in an accident at the end of September).  I replied that it has had its challenges, but quickly moved on to share with him about how God might be at work through this experience. "Ya know Sean," I said, "There is a woman who for the last couple of days has stopped to offer me a ride to the ALC.  Maybe God wants for me to reach out to her to share the love of Jesus."  I cannot remember Sean's exact words in this moment, but I recall a conversation that  centered around taking advantage of opportunities God is giving us because we may be the very one God uses to introduce people to Jesus.  It wasn't until later did I realize how significant that conversation would be.

 

 Ten minutes later, we as a staff are meeting together inside for staff devotion time, where we discussed the importance of praying for those in other countries that are being persecuted for the cause of Christ.  Before going into prayer for those countries, we were asked to read various scriptures as encouragement to direct in our prayer time.  I volunteered unknowingly of what message was about to deeply affect me.  "I need a volunteer to read Ephesians 6:19", asked the leader.  "I can," I replied.  The context of that scripture is in the section talking about putting on the whole armor of God that we may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  And in vs. 19 it finishes that section by saying, "and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel..."  As I finished reading that verse, I immediately looked back at Sean as you see him in this picture above.  We made eye contact, and exchanged a smile.  I turned my head back but immediately heard him whisper my name.   Making eye contact again, he said a phrase that will forever stay with me......a word from the Lord through the mouth piece of Sean.......He pointed at me as he whispered, "That's for you Jen."

Would you pray for Rosie?  She has been dropping me off at the ALC nearly every morning for the past month. I had wanted to share a picture of Rosie and her son so that you would have a face with the prayer request.  However, I've been unable to find an opportunity to get one.    I continue to pray for boldness.  One morning that prayer was answered when I asked Rosie if she was a Christian.  She replied that she is not, but that she believes in God and lives a moral life.  I wish that I had followed up with the question, "What's holding you back?"    Some days I've taken advantage of the open doors of opportunity in the conversations.....other days, I've exited the car knowing that I wasn't bold to use my mouth.  It is sobering to think that if this woman was suddenly killed in a car accident if she would meet Jesus as I know my brother Sean has.  As a good friend of mine here in Nassau would say in moments of being overwhelmed, "This be deep!"  Please pray for me and pray for Rosie.  She is a single mother of her 13 year old boy Justin.

Even a month later, this word brings me to tears.  It is a new commission to go and preach the gospel.....something that I've been doing boldy within the gates of Adventure Learning Centre, but now those boundaries have extended beyond the white gates and out into the community.  Into the real world,   interacting with and meeting the needs of the poor and hurting.  One day, while waiting for a bus, a  man asked me for money.  I declined, but quickly offered to get him something to eat from the food store across the road.  He accepted the bottle of chocolate milk as he ripped off the cover and continued on his way.  A couple of weeks later, I ran into the same  man at a different bus stop.  Though he appeared to be under the influence of something, somehow through his mumbling jabber, I find that he remembered that day that I bought him the chocolate milk.  This is where the rubber meets the road.  But why me Lord?  In a season of storm where the pressure change ( pun intended), is enough to make my head hurt, how can you use this broken, faithless, woman that struggles to praise you in the storm because she is so troubled with the circumstances around her and the ever changing environment of ministry life.  

Other news:

Program has remained busy!

I continue to do what I am passionate about....and that is to teach about creation and to use it in making connections to the gospel of God's plan of redemption through Jesus. 

When I am not teaching, there are leadership team meetings that must happen in order to keep things running.  This photo is of the leadership team meeting with the board during our recent board meeting in October.  

Please pray for the board, for clear direction from them, for the search for more board members, and for the search for an executive director to oversee both the camp and the centre.

And when I am not teaching or in team leader meetings, I am assisting with the preparations for our annual Christmas Lights drive through outreach.   We've been working on putting up lights for weeks, and still finalizing the sets in the back trail where the public will drive through and be transported back into time, to experience the story and life of Jesus from the foretelling of his birth, through his life ministry, death, and resurrection.  The real reason for the season!

Please pray for the event.  This year we have extended to a second weekend which requires A LOT of coordination and planning.

 Though this is a silly picture of Dilan, our program director, it represents well what life has been as he  faithfully makes phone calls, whats app, facebook messenger, emails etc....  to coordinate the 60 plus volunteers needed each night of the event.  And that number of volunteers multiplied by 4 nights.  This has been a HUGE undertaking, and his administrative skills and gifts have greatly blessed us this year January-December.  

Dilan and his wife Laura have come to the end of their 1 year commitment serving at ALC.  As we lose them, there will be a huge hole to fill.   Pray that God would send another to replace Dilan as program director and Laura as an amazingly energetic facilitator.  They will be greatly missed.  In the interum, I will be stepping into only a portion of his role in the coordinating of programs and overseeing the program staff.      

One of the many things that I have missed is opportunities for weekend getaways and ladies retreats.  Last weekend a talented Christian speaker and author, Lisa Harper, (back row third from the left) was in Nassau for a woman's conference called "Proximity"  This was a refreshing time in the midst of the busyness and change.  A good reminder that God hasn't moved.  He doesn't change.  It is the posture of our heart that is challenged to keep in "Proximity" with him.

Though I missed my goal in getting this out before Thanksgiving, let me take this opportunity to extend my thank fullness to each of you in the little and big ways that you support and encourage me.  I look forward to seeing some of you again soon after a whole year of not being in Colorado.  Though it will be my desire to see each of you individually, my short 3 weeks will fly and so I cannot promise anything because  I am  most definitely in need of rest in order to carry on with the responsibilities that have been handed to me.

Blessings to you all,

Jen

Praises:

1. Temporary help in animal care and grounds keeping after the loss of Sean.
2. Thank ful for friends and family who have sent encouragement through emails, cards, phone calls, etc.
3. Thank ful for those on the island who have offered a listening ear, and have given me rides to and from functions, who have blessed me with a dinner out or an opportunity to get away to exhale.
4. Thank ful  to all.......for your continued prayers and financial support

Personal Prayer Requests:

1. Restored joy and keeping my eyes of Jesus in the midst of such change and transition.
2. Provision of funds for purchase of another vehicle
3. Needed rest as I travel to Denver for Christmas

Prayer Requests: (STAFF NEEDS)

1. ANIMAL CARE  & GROUNDS KEEPING  MANAGER -Someone with animal care experience and able to give direction to grounds keeping crew.
2. PROGRAM DIRECTOR- oversee programming and facilitators at the Centre, market programs to schools, coordinate fundraising events, etc....
3. MAINTENANCE- Help needed both at Camp and Centre with construction and repairs
4. COOK - Someone to help cook for groups at Camp and help with food service at the centre as needed.
5. FACILITATORS-  Run and maintain programming at the centre.