Well I hope that your students have had a BLAST at Summer Impact over these last two days, I know that I have. As I’ve been telling your students each night Summer Impact will just keep getting BETTER, I hope they’ve been experiencing that. So with that said let me get to the recap of the evening.

We started the night off with a Balloon Pop Frenzy in the gym. We had multiple rounds of competition where students with balloons tied to their shoes were trying to pop other student’s balloons while protecting their own.  After we finished with the balloon pop madness we took the picture below and transitioned downstairs for our nightly teaching time. Know that you’ll all be receiving a “postcard” of this picture at the end of Summer Impact as a memento for your students.

Last night we continued our “Hunting for God’s Treasure” theme by focusing on our need to “Equip for the Hunt.” Just like we need tools to go on a hunt for actual treasure (a map, compass, etc.) we learned that we need some tools to go on our hunt for God’s treasure this week as well. We covered three “tools” needed to discover God’s treasure: the Bible, prayer, and Christian community. We talked about the necessity of utilizing all three of the tools, we learned that all of the tools work together and when they’re just used alone they aren’t nearly as powerful.

The Scriptures that we spent the most time going over were 2 Timothy 3:15-17 and 1 Peter 5:7. The passage from 2 Timothy talks about the importance of Scripture, reminding us that the Bible contains the actual WORDS OF GOD written to us. I used this text to illustrate the IMPORTANCE of the Bible for your students. The Bible is God’s personal message to us, if we don’t ever pick it up and read it, if we don’t value it; we are WASTING one of God’s greatest gifts to us. The verse from 1 Peter is a beautiful one where we’re encouraged to cast all our anxieties on God because HE CARES. I used that verse to encourage your students to not be shy about talking to God because He desires for us to talk to Him, He wants us to pray! I encouraged your students to pray frequently without fear because God will never say “that prayer wasn’t good enough so I didn’t listen to it or care about it.”

To close out here are some questions you can ask your students to help keep the conversation we started last night going at home.

1. What were the three tools for your hunt that you learned about tonight?
2. What makes the Bible such an important tool for discovering God’s treasure?
3. Why does the Bible encourage you to pray? Does God want you to pray?
4. What does prayer give us that reading the Bible doesn’t? What are the unique benefits of prayer?

Blessings,

Grant

Elsewhere, the fence wasn’t finished, but great progress was made. The Harvey work continued. The Roseland thrift store had a yard sale that the students ran. We also played with kids in the community. Throw in some adjectives

tonight Jeff talked about “dreaming wildly,” and focused on Ephesians 3:20.

Sorry for the lack of pictures this is due to a lack of proper equipment.

Everyone is safe and healthy and looking forward to Navy Pier tomorrow.

We are scheduled to arrive back at 4:30 at the East Campus.

As many know I am a film junkie! I often can reflect on a good day off when it includes TWO films. As a family we hit nearly every film available that a family can enjoy together with a 8 and 10 year old. We get there early (for a matinee — its less expensive) so we can get “talk time” and then we often know enough about the film to use the drive home or dinner to discuss the themes within the movie. Honestly, I believe that our memory making over films will continue into the tween and teen years.

I know that can happen for YOU with regards to the film in the trailer above. We watch the film in February during a pastors screening and were amazed that SONY is choosing to do films that support Faith and Family. Having used documentary clips from Bethany Hamilton’s story during our Winter Reteat I was familiar with the story and thus amazed that SONY was committed to the Hamiltons convictions throughout a film that captivated and honored both family values and Christian principles.

Please consider this film for your family entertainment over the next couple of weeks. Don’t hestitate inviting friends and exposing them to a fabulous film. If you are a dad you’d be simply crazy to miss this opportunity as a father to pour into your daughter. If you want additional resources go to www.soulsurferwave.com and you can equip yourself with more to intentionally prepare yourself. As Bethany Hamilton comments in this film, “I dont’ need easy…I need possible.” Talking with you kids about faith, family, values, etc is not EASY but this film will lend itself to making it possible.

~bruce

http://www.micheleborba.com/blog/2011/03/03/what-to-do-when-bullying-wont-stop-or-intensifies/

What to Do If Bullying Intensifies

Here are things to do if your previous efforts fail and bullying intensifies. These steps will not be easy but are crucial. If bullying is intensifying your child’s physical or mental safety may be in jeopardy.

Be ready to advocate. If there’s ever the possibility your child could be injured–step in. Do not assume this is a “phase” that will go away by itself. If this behavior continues your child needs help and cannot handle this on his or her own. Don’t expect your child to do so.

Notify authorities and gather support. Tell those directly responsible for your child (his teacher, coach, pediatrician, day-care worker). A multidisciplinary approach in which all adults in your child’s life are involved to find a solution is best. Talk to the school nurse: victims often go to the nurse’s office complaining of physical complains as an escape.

Mobilize support. Get other parents on board with you. If your child’s school is not taking this seriously, go to the superintendent and to the board of education. Don’t stop. Keep going up the ladder. Get the media involved if necessary.

And do not let anyone tell you that bullying can’t be prevented. Hogwash! Check out Dan Olweus’ research in Norway. Over 650 schools were able to reduce bullying by over 50 percent in three years, which is significant.

Worksheets and assemblies don’t stop bullying. Systemic change in the school culture, clear expectations, and getting all stakeholders on board and on the same page does.

Keep records. You may need proof so keep evidence such as torn clothing, threatening emails, witnesses’ names, phone numbers and details.

Demand confidentiality. You don’t want retaliation. So limit number of others you tell about the experience wherever possible. Tell only those on a “need to know” basis.

Expect protection. Get specifics: “What will you do to ensure my child’s safety?” If you do not get support go up a level: call the principal, superintendent, school board or the police.

No face-to-face contact. Distance your child from the bully: class, lunch, bus, team. Ideally the bully should not come within a certain number of feet of your child. Don’t allow a child who is bullied to be put in a “conflict resolution” situation to “air out differences” with a bully. This is not the bullied child’s problem nor is it a “conflict.” This is cold-blooded, one-way intentional cruelty on the part of the bully.

Be prepared for resistance. Don’t be surprised if you are told to “toughen your kid up.” And don’t be shocked if the bully’s parent is a bully herself.

In a national PTA survey found only one fourth of parents support contacting other parents to deal with bullying.

A bully’s parent usually denies their kid is guilty and may blame your child as well and feel you are criticizing her parenting.

Get an objective outsider if necessary. You may need to get an objective outsider like a principal or day care supervisor to mediate. A diplomatic: “I’m concerned about the relationship between our kids” may be your best opener.

Remain vigilant. You may need to change your child’s classes, team, or in some cases even schools to protect your kid. You may also need to go to the police and even hire an attorney.

Do whatever you must, but advocate for your child’s safety.

Repeated bullying causes severe emotional harm and erode your child’s fragile self-esteem and cause high levels of emotional distress and loneliness as well as anxiety and depression. If you see these changes happening in your child then do not wait..

Think of the picture of that precious little boy. His father would urge you to call for help.

Do it now! Please!

Optional – Have I overlooked any question you would like for me to ask?

~ A resource I (Bruce) use by Tom Elliff each year

I mentioned my Tuesday lunch with Travis Thrasher earlier this week. Today I wanted to equip you with a Christmas “idea” — Book One of the Solitary Tales is available and a great alternative to the Twilight series that has swept the nation.

I read a novel about once every 5 years…but for Fall Break I completed this book in 24 hours. A bit embarrassing that I devoured a teenage thriller…I’m just being honest. Honestly I’d suggest reading the book alongside of your student because it would provide great discussion regarding teenage culture, spiritual darkness, and even the family unit. You can actually get a signed copy by Travis at Barnes and Noble in the Commons this Friday night from 6pm to 9 pm.

Already anticipating book two, Graveyard, and the continuation of the “tale” of Chris Buckley’s journey that comes oot this June. Hoping Travis will share a manuscript with me prior!

~ Pastor Bruce

Additionally…each Sunday night I will post a Faith at Home entry to further EQUIP your family with where we shepherded our studented either in the morning or Sunday evening.

Shalom,
Pastor Bruce

James 1: 2-3 – (2) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, (3) because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

James 1: 22 – Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

James 2:8 – If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.

James 2:19 – You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder.

James 3: 9-10 – With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. (10) Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

James 3:17 – But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

James 4:7 – Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:17 – Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.
James 5:12 – Above all, my brothers, do not swear – not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned.

This image above is the group dancing to La Macarena on the boat going into the marina!!

Today (Saturday June 26) and tomorrow (Sunday) will be exciting! Today we started off early with a very small breakfast but it was to experience how poverty affects most of the world. We learned more about Compassion International’s campaign One Meal, One Day in which on October 20, students around the country and world will be giving up eating lunch and donating that money to help feed starving children all over the world.

After that the entire group from LEAD 222 walked over to Jerry Nelson’s home and learned from Jerry about what it looks like to be a leader in this world. Jerry has started over 40 successful companies such as TicketMaster and the Troon golf courses. He is a wonderful man of God and gave us all things to remember.

A couple groups then went down to Chileno Bay to do some snorkeling and swimming and had a great time there. Tthe highlight of the day for most of us was a 2 hour sunset cruise in the Sea of Cortez where we enjoyed good music, good friends and most of all God’s AMAZING creation!! We then had dinner in downtown Cabo and had great food and conversation.

What a fantastic day! In the morning we continued work around El Refugio. The entire team worked incredibly hard and accomplished a lot. The concrete work was completed with the guys literally running the wheelbarrows full of cement 50 yards from the mixer to the pour. The gazebo is going to be fabulous when completed.

The brush teams and climbing wall teams also made huge progress. The climbing wall tower is now completely scraped and painted and the wood wall plates that will be mounted to the tower are close to complete.  Soon we will be moving the tower into place.  The brush team cleared a 500 square yard area, on a steep incline, using machetes. It really improves the look and view, and everyone enjoyed the work.

As great as the work was, however, the best part of the day was VBS. The kids from the surrounding area started arriving at the gates two hours before VBS was to start. We had over 120 kids – and for a first day of VBS that is a record! The program, crafts and games were enjoyed by all and our kids did a fantastic job running the event. Typically, the second day of VBS is even better attended, so we are expecting a crowd!

We appreciate your continued prayers!

The Quito Quest Team