Drawing Closer: Lesson Time

The living, breathing, transforming power of the gospel, understood by children and studied by theologians - it never gets old, sharing the truth of Jesus Christ.

We had 41 children for six days.  12 of them were from Harvest TGM, the others were from the community and surrounding towns.

This object lesson is perhaps my all-time favorite: The Rope Trick

Not only is it highly effective, but also leaves the kids thinking I'm a magician with mad talent.

A Word of the Day for each of the six days kept our focus and provided an anchor for crafts, games and memory verses.  We explored truth together, applied it throughout the week, and memorized a verse for each day.

Rotating groups for lesson, craft and game filled up our mornings.  We then broke into small groups during the afternoon for more specific discussion and interaction. 

I sincerely love watching children ask questions, wrestle with truth in their hearts and come to a better understanding of Jesus.

We had a whole day dedicated to the Word of God (Day 2) and how reading, meditating and memorizing God's word helps us to draw closer to God.

Inspired by points, the kids worked hard on their memory verses; some could quote all six by the end of the week, and we had some long verses!

Day 4 was on Worship: using our voices, lives and our talents to glorify God.  We gave them opportunities to express their God-given creativity and even held a talent show as an avenue to express those gifts.

Worship was a highlight.  A chorus of children's voices praising the Lord is a beautiful sound.

Harvest Romania '17

How was Romania?

The much anticipated, yet somewhat dreaded question.

Typically I like to have a 30 second "elevator speech" ready when I return from overseas.  The bit that explains the basic questions, a highlight and something little I remember.  I did think about what I wanted to say, but it's so hard for me!

So many memories, little life lessons, smiles, jokes, beautiful scenery, the love of Jesus showcased through His people.

The kids... expressing themselves in broken English, smiling from ear-to-ear, intent faces as they quoted their memory verses, simple child-like prayers that conveyed more meaning than an entire sermon.

The difficult times... utter chaos of kids who can't understand the instructions you're trying to so patiently give, the groans when they see another long memory verse, the hot hot sun, the language barrier.

And then I remember that love doesn't need words, it has a language all its own.  And it's a universal language that everyone can hear and understand.

It's when you smile and remain calm when you feel like shouting, it's giving another hug, watching a soccer game and yelling Bravo! a million times, cheering for another trampoline trick, making yet another sticky s'more (and seeing the delight as they sink thier teeth into thier very first gooey campfire delicacy.

Snippet from one of the young boys on my team.
"Anna, do you know why I love Americans so much?"
"No, why?"
"Because you like to give hugs.  And people here don't do that very much."

Here are some pictures.  I hope to post stories and specific memories soon.

I'm convinced that ice cream/gelato brings people together!

Quick bite to eat on the bus as we head to the camp!

Craft time!

My fabulous team: Aquamazing

We divided the 41 kids up into 6 teams for small groups throughout the week.

Each team had a bandana that represented their team color.

Smiles all around!

The camp theme was all about drawing closer to God.  We talked about God Himself, the Word of God, Prayer, Worship, Fruit of the Spirit, and being doers of the Word.

Yes, I think I can pronounce all of those words

Group selfie, with a selfie stick of course.

Romania Update

Ice coffee in one hand, Bible in the other - Romania prep is real!

June 22nd is fast approaching, and I wanted to give you a quick update.

Plans are falling in to place and our team is hustling to get everything prepped and ready for when we fly out next week!  Funds are coming in (thank you from the bottom of my heart!) and the packing is about get real - or maybe it should be getting real, but I normally don't begin until the last min because I can't handle the anticipation of having an open suitcase in my room.

I absolutely love love love the theme for our week with the kids.  It's all about drawing closer to God - what it looks like to cultivate a relationship with God, and practically how they as children form habits and patterns to grow daily in their walk with Jesus.

I volunteered/was volunteered to partner with Daisy (teammate) to write the lessons and teach them during the camp, (hence the coffee and Bible).  Bible reading, prayer, worship, fruits of the Spirit, being doers of the Word... each day we'll talk about a different way to grow closer to God.  It's been challenging to dig into these disciplines, and encouraging to realize that all these aspects can be developed and experienced by young children.

I think back to the very first journal my dad gave me.  I was probably seven years old, and I loved that purple little book.  My entries weren't deep and profound - they included a verse I pulled from my daily reading, an application or question and a prayer request.  Simple yes, but it instilled within me a habit of reading the God's Word daily and learning to apply it to my life.
My heart is excited to be able to encourage these kids to begin or continue these basic and life-chaning habits.

Prayer Update
Pray that God would be preparing hearts - both our own and the kids'
Pray that God would guide my heart as I prepare the lessons
Pray that God would continue to unify our team and the Romanian team

Thank you for your prayers and support!

"Draw near to me and I will draw near to you." 

James 4:8

Romania, 2017

God is building His church - all over the world!

I am so blessed to be able to serve on the Global Impact Team here in my local church, Harvest Bible Chapel Lancaster (HBCL).  We work with the elders to serve our overseas church plants, plan events and trips, and anything else related to missions work.

HBCL is committed to raising up leaders, planting churches, and establishing believers in their relationship with God.  One of the ways we achieve this is to partner with Harvest churches being planted both locally and worldwide. We began a partnership with Pastor Doru Hriscu in Târgu Mureș (TGM), Romania back in 2015 (Harvest Bible Chapel TGM).

Harvest Târgu Mureș has requested our help in launching their very first kids camp this summer and I have been asked to be a part of the team. We will be heading to Târgu Mureș this summer to work alongside the Romanian church.

Romania Kids Camp, June 22nd - July 2nd, 2017

Of course I was excited to be going to Romania, but when I heard the theme that will guide our week with the kids, I became even more excited.  Târgu Mureș’ first kids camp will begin with an essential theme;

Daily time spent with Jesus - the importance of devotions.

Our team of six will join the kids ministry team in Târgu Mureș in leading a 6-day kids camp at Harghita Christian Camp.  

The camp will be held Sunday-Friday (June 25th-June 30th). 

The number of children will be around 30; 17 from the church, with others invited from outside. Ages 8-14.

Most of the children do speak English, but to a varying degree, so we will be working with interpreters, to some extent.

My dear friends and family, please know that I’m so grateful for the love and prayers I’ve received on a regular basis over the years. I truly desire to live the love of Jesus to people both locally and all over the world.

I am hoping to post prayer updates and progress reports as I have time - so stay tuned.  Hopefully.

If you would be interested in partnering with me financially please visit:  https://harvestlancaster.org/give/missions-team-giving to give a tax-deductible contribution and select “Romania” from the drop-down menu.  

Church Planting, say what?

Church planting.  It was a phrase I heard throughout the years, but to be completely honest, I didn't think much of it - I was after the kind of missions where you helped people, served people and shared the gospel.  I wanted to change lives, show people overseas that Jesus could heal and bring peace and joy.  And, to my very ignorant mind, this wasn't done through church planting, this was done through "missions" - individuals going overseas, starting organizations and building relationships.

And then I took a class on the book of Acts (through my church, using Bild International).

My life changed, my perspective on missions was wrecked.

What if God instigated the Church to change lives, bring healing, peace and joy?  What if people in the Church were well established in their faith, discipled and trained - actually grounded in their relationship with God and His word? What if said people (the Church) took it upon themselves to seek the good of their local community, to meet needs and live the love of Jesus in practical ways. Here in America, and around the globe.

What would happen if instead of individuals trying to live out the Great Commission, it was the Church living out the Great Commission?

Open up your Bible to the book of Acts and you'll see what happens.

I'll spare you a sermon, but this whole notion of Church planting took on a whole new meaning for me.  Think about the impact well-established churches could have on a village, city, country...

Insert my trip to Haiti.

For the last several years my church, Harvest Bible Chapel, has been very involved in Haiti.  And it all began with meeting a Haitian Pastor, and a desire to see the gospel spread throughout Haiti.

His name is Pastor Charles.

The leaders of my church met Pastor Charles, in Haiti, and quickly discovered his tenacity and passion for Jesus, the gospel and the church.  Having a network of churches he planted and currently oversees, Pastor Charles knows full well the joys and frustrations of planting churches in a third world country.  Yet, it wasn't financial support he was after - but rather, physical support.

Friendship, leadership, training.

Harvest Lancaster partnered with Pastor Charles to provide what was so desperately needed in these new churches. Pastor Charles first came to Lancaster and received a week of equipping/training, and of course lots of love and a warm family welcome.  Men from Harvest then made several trips to Haiti to meet with the local leaders. These dynamic leaders were trained on how to teach, equip and disciple current members in deepening their relationship with God, and also how to establish new believers in a Biblical way.

This relationship has only continued to deepen as the Bild curriculum was translated into Creole, thus expanding the impact even further - allowing pastors to extend this discipleship material with their congregations.

When the idea of our recent Worship Team Outreach Trip was presented, our church excitedly went all in. The groundwork was laid, now it was time to encourage the church, help to further open their doors and bring people inside.

I saw, in action, what happens when a church serves the community.  When the church recognizes the need and mobilizes the people to meet those needs.  When the church, comprised of individuals, but operating as a whole,  is an extension of Jesus - loving people, serving them, and ultimately bringing them to Himself.

I hope to give you a glimpse of what I saw and experienced.  This is only the beginning...

(Bild International exists to train networks of leaders, grassroots to national in the way of Christ and His Apostles - providing philosophy, curriculum and a network)