SGBA Camp 2010

Just a look at what has been going on...

Since my last ministry update many things have changed.

In July 09, I started working at The Ox Sports Bar and Grill as a server. I work mostly all day shifts and because of that I have been able to form relationships with many of my co workers. It has been something totally new and I've had more opportunities to speak to them about God than I can count.

D.I.G. is still going strong, we are currently studying the book of James. The group outgrew the home we were meeting in last year so we split into two small groups instead. SGBC ladies are now meeting on a different day and I believe they are studying Isaiah.

On Fire For Christ youth group started up again in December 09. We are meeting on Sunday nights which makes for around 3 meetings a month. So far though, we have only had about 3 meetings because of Christmas, New Years, Sickness, Vacations, and Music Night. I am thankful for the kids that show interest in coming and that want the youth group to continue. I am doing my best to rely on God's strength instead of my own in teaching them. I am learning that flexibility is vital in this ministry because no matter how well planned the activity or lesson, anything can happen! Please pray that more kids would show an interest and would start to attend. Also pray for the salvation of the youth in our church.

Our camp committee is meeting once a month to make preparations for the coming SGBA summer camp. It will be under new leadership this year and there is so much to do before the week arrives. Along with a new director, we will have a new craft station director (my creative and fun mother), and a new activities director (my crazy, high energy brother). I'm really looking forward to the positive changes that are being discussed in our meetings. Our theme for camp this year is: 1+1+1=Done Discovering the Formula to the Salvation Equation. We decided as a group that we really wanted to go back to the basics with the messages this year, so along with the messages in chapel, all the cabin devotions will be taken from John Piper's book "Fifty Reasons Jesus Came to Die". Please pray for us as we plan and greatly anticipate camp on July 26-31.

Ladies Retreat is quickly approaching in two weeks. Heather and I have been asked to prepare special music for the event. Please pray for us as we consider what God would have us share with the ladies.

I'm getting really excited about Spring being here in Michigan. While everything is a muddy mess, we are actually going outside without 5 layers, scarves, mittens, and boots! I went for a nice long walk this morning and loved it. :)

Thank you for all your prayers!
I'll try my best to make the posts a little more frequent...

-AmandaMarie

Respiro en Texas...

Estimados Amigos,

Ya que fui al instituto me han regresado las ganas de hablar el espanol. Lo extrano bastante y me pase un buen tiempo alla. Fue una bendicion a mi vida estar en Texas de nuevo. En serio, necesitaba el tiempo de descansar y de encontrar la paz de Dios. Les saludo en el nombre de nuestro Senor JesuCristo y tambien les digo que estan bien los que estan todavia en la escuela. Les mandan saludos a ustedes.

As many of you know, I have been waiting to see where God would show me to use my plane ticket that I had purchased last May. In the end, I went back to RGBI for a week and a half of rest, sunshine, friends, spanish, and fellowship.

On my first night back, Amy Joy and I stayed up until my 3 oclock in the morning catching up and just being together. We talked about all the things that had changed and how she was making the transition from language student to bible student. The next day I spent resting from my trip and wandering around campus admiring all the new palm trees and just feeling amazed at the feelings that returning brought on. I found myself missing my RGBI family very much and wanting to knock on many of their doors and visit, but knowing that they were not there. I passed the rest of my time there just feeling blessed everyday with the ability to hear and speak spanish again and the opportunity to listen to the concerns and trials going on in the lives of the students as well as the fun things that God is doing and the things they are anticipating in the future.

I went back to my Texas church on Sunday and had a wonderful time. After the services I was invited to have dinner with pastor and his wife and we had lots of fun catching up on what all has happened since my last Sunday there. The church is doing well, but the attendance is down right now. They would appreciate your prayers for their ministry at Iglesia Bautista del Valle.

I purchased a few spanish books from the bookstore and am following the syllabus for the Biblical Counseling course at the institute. I am not taking the class for credit, but I am reading and learning new words and ideas in spanish. I am hoping to just glean from that study at my own pace and to just enjoy it.

I am so thankful for the breath of fresh air that was my trip to Texas. God is amazing and He showed me through the trip that rest in Him is satisfying.


RESPIRO - Eduardo Rios

Aunque yo de ti me separe, me separe
Y tu nombre y ser yo mal trate, yo mal trate

De lo alto cai, y mi alma lastime
pero en tus brazos me encontre

A pesar de mal en mi tu me amas yo lo se
pues en tus brazos me encontre

Y de nuevo me diste aliento
para alabarte
arrepentido de mis pecados vivo

Y fue por tu sangre
tu sangre preciosa
que hoy RESPIRO

-AmandaMarie

Praying together...

Once more I had the opportunity to spend just a few moments with the Thurstons, missionary friends from my time at RGBI. After work, I ran over to Starbucks and met up with them on their way through town. We hadn't seen each other in a year so we had much to catch up on and it was an encouraging time of fellowship. :)

I was especially blessed to have prayer with Phil and Pat one more time before we went our separate ways. It was always a priveledge to hear these two pray and I was blessed to have them pray over me with their sincere and warm manner of speaking to their Heavenly Father. Truly something to be thankful for.

Thank you again, Thurstons, for taking time to visit!!

-Amanda Marie

As the leaves begin to change...

I find life and my daily planner filling up at a rapid pace. Summer was a lovely season, but now begins my personal favorite!! Football, bonfires, hunting, the smell in the air, the crisp morning, coffee, cider and donuts, you name it!

A glance at what is going on:

Monday night Bible study just began, we are studying the book "Won by One" with a small group of friends.

Tuesday night D.I.G. is back in full swing starting next week. We are currently studying the oracles in Isaiah.

Wednesday night choir starts up this coming week and also our church has asked me to take over the church youth group, On Fire For Christ. I am very excited about this ministry. Please pray for wisdom in preparing for this new group. I plan to start in either late October or early November.

Thursday nights I have been invited to attend Inter Varsity a college campus youth group.

These should keep me busy for now!!

More updates to come!

-amanda marie

Michindoh Summer 09

The much anticipated Camp update has arrived!

This year at camp I believe the prayers of the church were answered as God was at work in the hearts and lives of many campers.

My co-counselor, Heather Seaton, was such a huge blessing and her help was greatly appreciated. While we planned the week to the best of our ability, God still proved to have His own plans and we went through the week with the motto, " Be Tough, Be Flexible" always keeping in mind that God's plans are the best.

We had 8 Sr. High girls in our cabin and we loved every minute of reconnecting with them and forming strong bonds. Kassie did a great job of coming up with games for everyone to play including making mummies with toilet paper, playing volleyball in the mud pit, watermelon rugby, and capture the flag/three legged race.

In the evening, I had the opportunity to be on the worship team with some very talented musicians and we had a blast praising God together.

Throughout the week, Eric, a fellow counselor and myself had the priveledge of talking with one of my campers on several different occasions. And thank the Lord, on the last day of camp, she was saved!!

An exciting part of camp is the Sr. High bonfire. We were forced inside this year by the rain, but we continued to share testimonies and pray together in the chapel until early in the morning. It is always an amazing experience to see the Spirit move among us and to hear the stories of what is going on in the campers lives.

While it was an exhausting week, it was fantastic! Heather and I are excited about the friendships we made and are praying that God would allow us to participate in camp ministry again next year.

-Amanda Marie

The Language of Tears

Tears that bare the soul
stream down and do not cease
while pain, grief, and mourning
surface at last to be seen

Time stands still as the Spirit with us meets
heart ties form as lives connect
and burdens we lay at Jesus' feet

Hearts overflowing and filled with joy
peace reigns over guilt and shame
Christ and His cross work our redeeming grace

Groan for us, Oh Spirit
make our hearts fully known
tears bare our souls
Draw us near to our GOD!