Friday, May 9, 2008

Participation in God's Work


Have you ever been covered in shaving cream?

This month, for our final Club121 large event, we had a huge shaving cream war. Historically, events like this are some of the funniest you’ll see. There is nothing like trying to escape an onslaught of laughing teenagers covered in white slippery foam.

Next week will be our final Wednesday morning Bible study. The relationships we have built (and are building) in this small group of teenagers are some of our most cherished blessings of this school year. I am excited to see how they will grow in the years to come.

This week, in our study, as I looked into the eyes of these Louisburg high school students, I asked, “What does it mean for you as American teenagers to participate in what God is doing? ” I gave them one last assignment for next week: think about how our Club121 could more actively participate in God’s mission to redeem the world. Fun is wonderful and important, but extreme poverty, social injustice, and people without access to the message of Christ are more important.

We are praying that they will hear and seek to obey Christ’s call to reflect the knowledge, love, and joy of God to Louisburg and the world.

This month, Amanda, Abi, and I will be transitioning from working at YouthFront headquarters and our home in Paola to being at YouthFront Camp South until mid December . For the summer, I will function as the Cabin Leader Supervisor. Then in the fall, we will continue to live at camp while we launch the first semester of YouthFront Mission Institute (YMI).

Please continue to pray for us as we enter into this six month stretch of ministry at Camp in La Cygne, KS.


Moving into our camp home.



Looks like she's gonna get even with somebody.


My niece, Chloe decided to join in the fun.


Trying to get a group picture.


Get that stuff out of my eye!

May Prayer Requests

Family — The first weeks of parenting have been a joy as we have not only watched Abi grow and change, but ourselves as well. Pray we would happily embrace the changes God is making in our lives as he uses Abi to shape our hearts.

Wednesday Bible study — Pray for our final meeting next week. Pray that our conversation would be fruitful for their growth in Christ-likeness and for future ministry in Louisburg. Also, pray that our final meeting would be one they ponder for the next several weeks and into the summer.

Camp — As our family packs up and heads to camp pray that our transition would be smooth and easy. Pray for final preparations before cabin leaders arrive in a couple weeks. We are responsible for training and preparing them for this summer. Pray for wisdom as we teach and equip. Pray that they would be physically, spiritually, and emotionally ready for camp.

YMI — (YouthFront Mission Institute) Currently we have seven applicants to whom we will be sending an acceptance letter. Pray God would call more students to come be a part of YMI this fall semester. Pray we would have wisdom and discernment as we sort through applications and recruit more people.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Abigail update


Our Family.


Papa and his grand-daughter Abigail.


Abigial is such a content baby. One of her favorite places to be is under her gym.


After she was born, because of a little jaundice, she spent some time on the billy-reuben (not sure how that is spelled) bed. The bed was essentially a drum head with a blue florescent light underneath it.



Praise the Lord!! Developing some charismatic tendencies.


She loves to look in the mirror. Hopefully we're not encouraging vanity. She is so pretty!!



Mommy and Abi.


Cousins


Abigail and her home-made bunny booties.


Eliana and Abigail


Two mommies::: Michelle (my sister) and Amanda
Two little girls::: Eliana (left) and Abigail