Prayer Can it Really Change Things?

I believe it can. Prayer is the most powerful communication device to speak with and hear from God. I wonder what would happen if students began to become burdened in prayer for their friends, classmates, administration, and campuses. What if everyday of the week all over the country student were praying for their schools. Watch the video below and then click the link below to see how you can begin to intercede for your campus.

Claim Your Campus from Ryan Humm on Vimeo.

Claim Your Campus is a movement of students praying for their schools.

Will you join the movement?

Tips for Parents and High School Grads

Tips for Parents and Grads

Right now many students are preparing to head off to college away from home. Below are a few tips for parents and students as they prepare for departure.

Tips for Parents

1. Arrange time for goodbyes

encourage your student to spend some extra time with siblings. This can be a great time to take a trip together.

2. Make lists and go shopping

Help your student(s) think through their needs when they leave. Go shopping together. This can be a great time of bonding before they leave.

3. Communicate confidence

Many students can seem very confident but can be struggling inside with fear. Instill in them confidence in their abilities both past and present. Remind them of past victories in their life, especially when they thought they might fail.

Tips for Graduates

1. Walk a mile in their shoes.

Remember this is hard for them. Your parents will be struggling with confidence that they prepared you well. They have guided you for 18 years and it can be a little scary for them. Keep that in mind as you prepare to leave.

2. Look forward to family goodbyes

These last few months can be very meaningful before you leave. You will want to spend time with all your friends before you leave, but don't forget about spending time with family as well.

3. Be others-focused

Everything can begin to focus around you...when are you leaving...when can we get together...etc. It can be easy to become self-centered. Make sure you keep your focus on others. This is the Jesus Principle.

Hope these are helpful for you as you prepare for the great departure. We love seniors!

keep talking.

Auto Mariscos! (aka guatemalan waterpark)-June 13

On Saturday we got the opportunity to take 15 orphans from Amor Del Nino to the Auto Mariscos, which translated to english means "auto seafood." Hmm something lost in translation there, but I think it leans more to the fun side of sea creatures than to the edible side. But the excitement and fun the kids were having was definitely not lost in translation. With almost the whole team there we were able to really treat the kids to a great day playing in the wave pool, the kiddie adventure area, and the slides, having a huge lunch for all of us, plus we got in a little relaxation of our own. A big thanks should go to Todd and Mike who went to Kairos School instead and finished out a build on a wall and desk for the computer room! Of course it was incredibly special for me to see to see all of Fernanda's little Amor Del Nino friends who she spent the second year of her life with having so much fun: Hannah, Jose, Adrianna, Gladys, Danni, Jaunito, Letty, Jenny... Barbi, Sheila and I fought over Shayla most of the day, I don't think she ever got put down, she was just too much fun. Sheila eventually won out and held Shayla all the way out to the bus even helping her get dried off and dressed. I am holding tight to the memory of Sheila holding Shayla before we left and their contentment and happiness together as part of the fun and love we all shared together at Auto Mariscos that day.

This trip has been an amazing blessing to me and my family. It has truly been like watching a dream turn into reality right in front of my face. I never would have thought that in less than a year from completing our adoptions and developing a heart for Guatemala that I would be a part of leading a team back to serve there. And to serve in such amazing and selfless ways. Thanks to everyone who sacrificed to go and to those who sacrificed to send us.

-Bill

End of School Year Party

Don't forget the End of School Party tonight at 5pm at The Brook. We will serve pizza at 5pm. You are welcome to come earlier to hang out. Parents are welcome to come as well, We will be talking about summer plans. Hope to see you there!!!