Hi Family & Friends of the(crucible)
We had a morning study at the cave, where most part of the journey is pitch dark with tons of unlevel ground, and had a bible study on "Sacrifice." Obey, Surrender, Counting the Cost, and offering God a Sacrifice of obedience. Lots to chew on for the students.
What is symbolic too is that our Christian walk is much like traversing through the cave. Pitfalls or holes in the ground, the darkness, much like a life that we are denying and walking towards the like. The students are really challenged to "name" those holes in their own lives, and know that they will be there throughout their journey with God, but they can choose on having His Light to traverse through it, with Him.
Lastly, we are leaving for Nassau tonight and spending New Year Eve's at the Lowe's tonight. So that's all for now.
God Bless, christabel
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Day 2: Work Projects, Evangelism & Community Outreach
Hi Friends and Family of the(crucible)
We have several work projects going on during the day, in the Methodist Habitat and also in the community. Basically, you go around a certain part of town and ask if they needed any work done. In doing so, they also get to befriend the community and Jeremiah's group get to share the gospel with 4 teens, and at the end of it, they played tig-tac-toe and received Christ into their lives.
The group that stayed at Methodist Habitat got to "Weed & Prune" the playground, the caretaker's house and make some holes in the ground (with pick-axes) for the gates. The best part of the day was sharing what our strengths, weaknesses and fears are. Then asking them what God is pruning out of our lives... alot of good thoughts and prayers during work.
So much to say even about our evening study: the character of a Soldier (Rom 12:1-2). Integrity, Sincerity, Love, Peserverance, etc... are topics that Gio taught and the students were really challenged with having to pick out 3 things they have to "put off" and 3 things they have to "put on" for 2009.
God Bless, Bel
We have several work projects going on during the day, in the Methodist Habitat and also in the community. Basically, you go around a certain part of town and ask if they needed any work done. In doing so, they also get to befriend the community and Jeremiah's group get to share the gospel with 4 teens, and at the end of it, they played tig-tac-toe and received Christ into their lives.
The group that stayed at Methodist Habitat got to "Weed & Prune" the playground, the caretaker's house and make some holes in the ground (with pick-axes) for the gates. The best part of the day was sharing what our strengths, weaknesses and fears are. Then asking them what God is pruning out of our lives... alot of good thoughts and prayers during work.
So much to say even about our evening study: the character of a Soldier (Rom 12:1-2). Integrity, Sincerity, Love, Peserverance, etc... are topics that Gio taught and the students were really challenged with having to pick out 3 things they have to "put off" and 3 things they have to "put on" for 2009.
God Bless, Bel
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Day 1: Team Unity in Nassau & Shipped out to Eleuthra
Hi Parents and Friends of the(crucible) team
Sorry that we didn't get a chance to blog last night as we were on the ferry to Eleuthra till late last night.
Some updates for you:
1) The team learns to lean on each other, and discover strength, weaknesses and fears of each member. The objective is to find out who in the team has the "strengths" that they are weak in. Iron sharpens iron that way.
2) Unity Exercises: We had 3 unity games and exercises before the afternoon study and that really helps to learn about who is serving with you, alongside you and focus on being a "Soldier" for Christ.
3) Bible study and Intro to the(crucible): A good soldier Endures Hardship....and Please HIM who enlisted him as one. (2 Tim 2:3-4) Going beyond our comfort, or take initiative to please Jesus who called, wanted and enlisted us into his army.
4) Shipping Out to Eleuthra : A symbolic trip to be ship out as soldiers to a military exercise. (Eleuthra is South of Bahamas, we were able to get on a Ferry (for 6 hours) to this island. Living at the Bahamas Habitat.
That's all for now, and please pray for students to get real, get layers of their old man off as Christ reveals himself to them. For Jessica, she sprained her ankle and is healing.
GOD BLESS & LOVE, christabel
Sorry that we didn't get a chance to blog last night as we were on the ferry to Eleuthra till late last night.
Some updates for you:
1) The team learns to lean on each other, and discover strength, weaknesses and fears of each member. The objective is to find out who in the team has the "strengths" that they are weak in. Iron sharpens iron that way.
2) Unity Exercises: We had 3 unity games and exercises before the afternoon study and that really helps to learn about who is serving with you, alongside you and focus on being a "Soldier" for Christ.
3) Bible study and Intro to the(crucible): A good soldier Endures Hardship....and Please HIM who enlisted him as one. (2 Tim 2:3-4) Going beyond our comfort, or take initiative to please Jesus who called, wanted and enlisted us into his army.
4) Shipping Out to Eleuthra : A symbolic trip to be ship out as soldiers to a military exercise. (Eleuthra is South of Bahamas, we were able to get on a Ferry (for 6 hours) to this island. Living at the Bahamas Habitat.
That's all for now, and please pray for students to get real, get layers of their old man off as Christ reveals himself to them. For Jessica, she sprained her ankle and is healing.
GOD BLESS & LOVE, christabel
Friday, December 26, 2008
GET READY TO GO....
Hi the(crucible) team
Spoken to so many of colleagues at CCFL about you all, about the enthusiasm and the passion in all of you to change the world, with the GOSPEL of course. I believe by the end of this trip, you will realize how important it is for us to live out the good news, so that no one will be hindered from finding the LORD by the way we act, or find fault with our ministry. In everything we do, to minister in love, patiently endure trouble, hardships, and trials of any kind.
GET READY!!! I know you WILL NOT FORGET
- your prescriptions
- your work gloves, sleeping bags, bug spray, allergy meds, towels, bedsheets, pillows, some long sleeve shirts for just in case and a jacket
- to turn in your passports, monies, outstanding paperwork etc
Kindly bring 1 luggage that is not more than 20 kgs to the church by 5.55am. We will meet at the Hub for a brief meeting with your parents and check you guys in for the trip.
LOVE from the Youth Ministry
Bel
Spoken to so many of colleagues at CCFL about you all, about the enthusiasm and the passion in all of you to change the world, with the GOSPEL of course. I believe by the end of this trip, you will realize how important it is for us to live out the good news, so that no one will be hindered from finding the LORD by the way we act, or find fault with our ministry. In everything we do, to minister in love, patiently endure trouble, hardships, and trials of any kind.
GET READY!!! I know you WILL NOT FORGET
- your prescriptions
- your work gloves, sleeping bags, bug spray, allergy meds, towels, bedsheets, pillows, some long sleeve shirts for just in case and a jacket
- to turn in your passports, monies, outstanding paperwork etc
Kindly bring 1 luggage that is not more than 20 kgs to the church by 5.55am. We will meet at the Hub for a brief meeting with your parents and check you guys in for the trip.
LOVE from the Youth Ministry
Bel
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Compelled to Love Locally and Globally ..
Hi the(Crucible) Team
This Saturday, Dec 13, is Love Out Louder Day, and we have one more opportunity to minister the good news in person to our community. I pray that you will take your family to minister with you this time...
Reading 2nd Cor 5, today, this is really the summary and reason why we are compelled to love and share with our community, locally and globally:
Reconciliation: To God Himself through Christ
v.18 All things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Christ Jesus
Our Ministry of Reconciliation
v.18b-19a and has given us the ministry of reconciliation... that is that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself,
Removing our Trespasses
v.19b .. not imputing their trespasses to them
The Word
v.19c ... and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Hear God's Heart for the unreached and unsaved through us:
Ambassadors for Christ
v.20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
Let this be our mind and heart as we moved towards the holiday season, towards the Bahamas, towards our challenges and testing of our faith in the islands of Bahamas.
Merry Christmas & has a Christ-filled year ahead, proclaiming the good news as a PROVEN AMBASSADOR FOR CHRIST.
From the Youth Ministry, christabel
This Saturday, Dec 13, is Love Out Louder Day, and we have one more opportunity to minister the good news in person to our community. I pray that you will take your family to minister with you this time...
Reading 2nd Cor 5, today, this is really the summary and reason why we are compelled to love and share with our community, locally and globally:
Reconciliation: To God Himself through Christ
v.18 All things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Christ Jesus
Our Ministry of Reconciliation
v.18b-19a and has given us the ministry of reconciliation... that is that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself,
Removing our Trespasses
v.19b .. not imputing their trespasses to them
The Word
v.19c ... and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Hear God's Heart for the unreached and unsaved through us:
Ambassadors for Christ
v.20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
Let this be our mind and heart as we moved towards the holiday season, towards the Bahamas, towards our challenges and testing of our faith in the islands of Bahamas.
Merry Christmas & has a Christ-filled year ahead, proclaiming the good news as a PROVEN AMBASSADOR FOR CHRIST.
From the Youth Ministry, christabel
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Our Team took part in FoodShare, delivering food to 3 homes
Dear Team and Parents
Thanksgiving is a great holiday for families to be together, especially when loved ones and close relatives lived in different part of the country or even the world. It make us appreicate who we are in Christ and what it means to be thankful, to be surrendered, to be full of praise of who God is in our lives.
So, with that in mind, majority of our team was able to make it out this past Saturday, 11/22, taking part in a church wide outreach to the low-income and impoverished families through FoodShare.
The lady that 5 of us got to visit, was a grandma that has taken care of 13 grandchildren. The last two still live with her, and one with a baby. The stories that we got to hear about them were daunting, but she said without Christ, I will not be able to face all the challenges I am facing since 86. Her children and grandchildren were on drugs, and some still are, giving birth to grandchildren that are also affected mentally from the abuse of drugs and alcohol. She by God's grace was able to stand firm, continuing steadfastly to extend God's love and word to them. Pray for her youngest grandchild who was gang raped, that she will find complete healing emotionally and physically through Jesus Christ. Pray for their financial situation, they are not able to make ends meet and supporting her 4 month old great-grand baby.
Thanksgiving is a great holiday for families to be together, especially when loved ones and close relatives lived in different part of the country or even the world. It make us appreicate who we are in Christ and what it means to be thankful, to be surrendered, to be full of praise of who God is in our lives.
So, with that in mind, majority of our team was able to make it out this past Saturday, 11/22, taking part in a church wide outreach to the low-income and impoverished families through FoodShare.
The lady that 5 of us got to visit, was a grandma that has taken care of 13 grandchildren. The last two still live with her, and one with a baby. The stories that we got to hear about them were daunting, but she said without Christ, I will not be able to face all the challenges I am facing since 86. Her children and grandchildren were on drugs, and some still are, giving birth to grandchildren that are also affected mentally from the abuse of drugs and alcohol. She by God's grace was able to stand firm, continuing steadfastly to extend God's love and word to them. Pray for her youngest grandchild who was gang raped, that she will find complete healing emotionally and physically through Jesus Christ. Pray for their financial situation, they are not able to make ends meet and supporting her 4 month old great-grand baby.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Tips on Writing a Prayer Support Letter
Hi Team
I have read several support letters already, and they are great work. I especially love to read what the LORD is doing in your lives, and what is weaving in your hearts for greater purpose and strengthening. That's the tone to set for the person you are writing this prayer support letter to.
A few helpful tips to write a successful prayer support letter:
1. Express Your Heart. Why is God calling you to Bahamas, and what is He calling you to do? (Your role on the team??)
2. What are your prayer requests? Be specific.
3. What is God doing or has already done in the Bahamas (eg. through ALC or Patmos or the Aids Camp?)
4. Let them know of ways you have begun to raise money
5. Give specifics about the trip, the dates, places, and what you will be doing?
6. Donation Info : How can someone join in your labor of love? How can they donate to you, your team or the outreaches on the island?
7. Spell Check & Re-Read your letter. Make them personal.
8. Send it out to family, friends, teachers, doctors, friends of your parents, etc.
9. Have Fun. Until we ask the LORD for help, we labor in vain.
10. Pray, Pray, Pray
God Bless, christabel
I have read several support letters already, and they are great work. I especially love to read what the LORD is doing in your lives, and what is weaving in your hearts for greater purpose and strengthening. That's the tone to set for the person you are writing this prayer support letter to.
A few helpful tips to write a successful prayer support letter:
1. Express Your Heart. Why is God calling you to Bahamas, and what is He calling you to do? (Your role on the team??)
2. What are your prayer requests? Be specific.
3. What is God doing or has already done in the Bahamas (eg. through ALC or Patmos or the Aids Camp?)
4. Let them know of ways you have begun to raise money
5. Give specifics about the trip, the dates, places, and what you will be doing?
6. Donation Info : How can someone join in your labor of love? How can they donate to you, your team or the outreaches on the island?
7. Spell Check & Re-Read your letter. Make them personal.
8. Send it out to family, friends, teachers, doctors, friends of your parents, etc.
9. Have Fun. Until we ask the LORD for help, we labor in vain.
10. Pray, Pray, Pray
God Bless, christabel
Friday, November 14, 2008
COME PREPARED AND READY for 11/15
Hi Team "Crucible"
Please come ready for discussion on James 1:1 to 27 tomorrow. We want to give you time to work out your faith, work out your body that needs you to have the right diet, including spiritual food.
Next, we will need to order tickets by 11/28. So, if you have not register, please do so before the Thanksgiving break. We will not purchase a ticket for anyone that have not registered. Tickets purchased after 11/28 may be at a higher price than the group fare we are getting right now.
Thank You.
Please come ready for discussion on James 1:1 to 27 tomorrow. We want to give you time to work out your faith, work out your body that needs you to have the right diet, including spiritual food.
Next, we will need to order tickets by 11/28. So, if you have not register, please do so before the Thanksgiving break. We will not purchase a ticket for anyone that have not registered. Tickets purchased after 11/28 may be at a higher price than the group fare we are getting right now.
Thank You.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Coming Up.... the(Crucible) news
Dear the(Crucible) Team:
I am really looking forward to this trip, lots of brainstorming and preparation on both Patmos and Our Youth Missions Team have happened. We discussed the(Crucible), and what it will look like, what God is showing us about the(crucible) and about each one of you. What to pray about, and how he is saying build upon the foundation of faith, with the gold, the silver, the treasures of our faith, so that when tested the godly Christian character will remain.
Exercise daily your faith and workout your body too, we will need that sound mind to do what we are to do in preparation for the(crucible). Love, Liquid Ministry Team
I am really looking forward to this trip, lots of brainstorming and preparation on both Patmos and Our Youth Missions Team have happened. We discussed the(Crucible), and what it will look like, what God is showing us about the(crucible) and about each one of you. What to pray about
Exercise daily your faith and workout your body too, we will need that sound mind to do what we are to do in preparation for the(crucible). Love, Liquid Ministry Team
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Welcome to Liquid Bahamas 08 .. the(crucible)
Dear High School Students
We are so prayerfully preparing for this mission trip opportunity that has a huge "Patmos" discipleship content. Great for all who are looking for further discipleship, and/or in the area of missions. What is God calling us to do that we are not doing? and what are we doing now that is of no/little heavenly value? A question that we need to learn to ask ourselves more as we grow and mature into ministers of his grace and gospel.
So, many of you have asked questions on the content of this trip, we can't offer you alot of answers, because alot of "Patmos" content is proprietary. However, if you are wanting to calm the mind and heart of your parents, a good place to research is reading up on our last year's blog (www.liquidbahamas.blogspot.com). You will find other photos and articles that will stoke your faith and courage.
The online registration is now open, and here is the link to register online:
http://www.calvaryftl.org/Ministries/Family/Students/Youth-Missions.cfm
Don't forget this year's theme is the(Crucible). Pray and ask if you should come and be a part of this unforgettable mission and discipleship journey. Enduring and strengthening, from faith to faith...
Love from the Family of Liquid Ministry.
We are so prayerfully preparing for this mission trip opportunity that has a huge "Patmos" discipleship content. Great for all who are looking for further discipleship, and/or in the area of missions. What is God calling us to do that we are not doing? and what are we doing now that is of no/little heavenly value? A question that we need to learn to ask ourselves more as we grow and mature into ministers of his grace and gospel.
So, many of you have asked questions on the content of this trip, we can't offer you alot of answers, because alot of "Patmos" content is proprietary. However, if you are wanting to calm the mind and heart of your parents, a good place to research is reading up on our last year's blog (www.liquidbahamas.blogspot.com). You will find other photos and articles that will stoke your faith and courage.
The online registration is now open, and here is the link to register online:
http://www.calvaryftl.org/Ministries/Family/Students/Youth-Missions.cfm
Don't forget this year's theme is the(Crucible). Pray and ask if you should come and be a part of this unforgettable mission and discipleship journey. Enduring and strengthening, from faith to faith...
Love from the Family of Liquid Ministry.
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