Square Peg, Round Hole

   Since we have decided to go into ministry, we have had many discussions about what want to do, what type of ministry we want to do, where we want to be and what we can bring to a ministry. We have talked about camping ministry since we have a ton of combined experience in camping. We have talked about what working at a church would look like for us and what kind of children's ministry we would like to see since we would be raising our child there.

    After many hours of talking about it all we decided that no matter where we ended up that we are a square peg for a round hole.

   For all the years of experience, all the education and philosophies of ministries we have come to the conclusion that we will never fit perfectly in any church, camp or ministry. We have very high expectations when it comes to doing God's work. 

  By no means do we think that we are perfect or that every ministry is doing it wrong. What we do see is that many churches and camps have a fundamental biblical flaw of choosing manly ways of ministry instead of Godly ways of ministry and that is the change we desire to bring to the world. 

  Something that I have discovered about my husband is that has the gift of understanding what children and youth desire most, what they need and how to meet both of those things in practical ways. I have never seen someone create such fast relationships with kids he sees for only a few hours a week or after spending a day with him how attached they become to him. It is truly a God given gift of love and understanding. 

  The desire we share is to build relationships in order to bring people closer to God. We are not big into traditional programming or extravagant shows to draw people in, we don't care about how many people come through the door. We care about quality services, time spent together building up the church and preparing youth to take their place in leadership and teaching those younger than them and in the future.

   

   This seems to be the hardest thing to bring into practice in ministries because someone said that getting numbers in the door at any cost was the best and only way to measure success. That building relationships, teaching good biblical life-style and raising up the next generation to take over the leadership was secondary to bodies in the chairs and flashy modern programming. This makes us a square peg that seems to never fit into a round hole.

A Re-Introduction

It has been awhile since we have written on this blog.

It has been re-purposed.

This will now be a place where we will be sharing our journey. Our journey to the call to missions and ministry. A call to work for God kingdom full-time.

We are currently "stationed" in Michigan with family while we wait for God to send us out into the field. It is the hope of our family for God to send us and give us a ministry home. Whether that is in a church, camp, or international setting we are unsure but we are ready for God's calling.

Our daughter, Riley Issabella, has been enjoying all the love and time with family. She is now 6 1/2 months old, crawling and pulling herself up and getting ready to walk! (This blog may also become a place where I chronicle Riley's life and accomplishments-prepare yourself!)

Thank you for tagging along on our journey. Thank you for your prayers and support.
Blessings!

Catch up

WOW! So much has happened since our last post.

Mike began his full time job at Bright Horizons at the school age teacher. While he did that I worked for camp for 40 hours a week until I also got a job at Bright Horizons as a infant teacher. This made it so that we needed to move. We found a delightful 2 bedroom duplex in downtown Issaquah that is super close to work

 During all of this we found out that I was pregnant!! I'm due April 29th. Pictures will be coming soon of the baby bump as it grows and pictures of the house.

Would still appreciate prayers as God is continuing to supply everything that we need and more and as our baby grows.

Blessings to you all!

Continuing the Call

Camp is officaly over. And as we woke up on Saturday morning there was a sad quietness that swept over camp. Our morning are usually full of inflatables, loud music, and over 200 kids having a blast. As we move on into the Seasonal part of camp ministry, there is finally time to reflect on the things that have happened here.

     The last two weeks of camp have been the most uplifting to me by far. I have had time to interact with the staff, and give lots of attention to campers. Working closely with the children has been very rewarding. Getting to spend the day with them and see how God works in their lives.

     Now that the summer is over, we are moving to a time of preparation and planning for next summer. This season is always a little difficult for me, as there is less interaction with people and more interaction with things.During the retreat season Amy and I will be doing some work for camp for groups that are coming in and helping with the plans for next summer. With many of the staff gone, and the change in programming we have another big adjustment to make. Please pray for us as we become engaged in the community around us. We need to find a church home, employment, friends, and support out here.However, we are trusting in God and know that he will provide for us. This is very evident in the fact that I have already found employment.I will be running a before and afterschool care program for elementary aged children for a local daycare center. This will be a great opportunity to continue to work with kids and meet parents in the community.

     Please pray that Amy is able to find employment and that we are able to establish and impacting presence to the people around us. The ministry is not over, it has just changed. Thank you for your continued support. Our address will remain the same and we would love to hear from you. In Christ

Week 10 at Sambica

     Our summer is now dwindling down do its last day. While Amy and I will be staying on to do seasonal work, I have been reflecting a lot about this summer. It has been great serving at this camp. The staff comes from all over, and all have come together for one purpose; to further God's kingdom.

     The last two week there has been no overnight camp. This has given me the opportunity to work more closely with people and to develop relationships with both campers and staff. Last week (week9) we had our little tykes day camp (1st-3rd grade). I got to spend a large part of my day with these kids. It was a appreciated change of pace.

     The thing that has always struck me the most about camp, is the uncertainty of working with campers. There is never any way to tell  where these kids are coming from, and where they are going home to. Our job as staff, is to ensure that while they are here we offer to them the message of Christ and do our best to love them they way Christ loves them. This is no easy task. This week we have over 250 day campers (1st-5th grade). It is no coincidence that our last week of camp is also our biggest. There is no overnight camp this week either, and I have been taking advantage of my extra time. I have really enjoyed being able to single out smaller groups of children and spend time with them. I have been helping during field time and life guarding down at the waterfront, so I have been able to see almost all the campers and staff this week.

    My request is that you pray for the rest of the week, our last week here at Sambica. I would also ask that you pray for the nearly 2,000 kids who came to camp this summer. Pray that they are able to take home with them what they learned, never forgetting the week of God's good news they received. Also, please pray for the summer staff. I know first hand how life changing a summer on staff can be. As people are getting ready to packing up and head back home to school, jobs, etc please pray that they too remember what they experienced this summer.

Where we are and where we are going.

Well some summer is quickly coming to a close. Amy and I have greatly enjoyed our time here, and have loved being a part of the ministry at Sambica. The summer has finally drawn to an end. After prayer and consideration, we have decided to stay on at Sambica. This may last all the way through the end of summer next year, but at this point we are uncertain as to how long we will be staying. This will be a great opportunity to develop some relationships we have made over the summer. We are excited to be able to take a little time and enjoy the area around us.

     As seasonal staff we will be working a short set of hours per week in exchange for housing. Amy and I will both need to find extra work in the community in order to support ourselves. We are also still looking for a church home. We have been to many in the area, but have not found one that meets our needs yet.

     Please be praying for us during this time of transition. Amy and I are very much counting on God to help establish ourselves our here. We have seen first hand that there is a great harvest, and we are excited to able to further God's kingdom. More information will be on the way soon.

     Thank you so much for your prayers and continued support. If you wold like to write to us our address will still be at camp (4114 West Lake Sammamish Parkway S.E. Bellevue, WA 98008).

Week 9!?!? Almost Week 10?!?!

  Where has this summer gone? We are almost done with week 9 getting ready for our last week (week 10).

   Which puts us here for about 12 weeks. God has worked in miraculous ways that I'm sure I haven't even heard about this summer. He called just about a 900 children ages 4-18 into his kingdom this summer and we have a week left. Pray that we break the 1000 mark.
 
    God has answered so many prayers including our prayer on where to go from here. And God said don't go, stay. So, we have agreed to stay on at Sambica as seasonal staff helping with different retreats and groups in the off season. We are also looking for other work since season staff are paid in housing and not money. Pray for God to provide other mission fields and work in the next few weeks.

   Thank you for all your prayers. Become a pen pal with us. Mail has been our tangible way to stay connected with family and friends back home and we look forward to it. Also, if you would like to yourself to us, send us an email and we'll try to set something up.