The End of Another Chapter in Life

Tonight we have the privilege of cheering on our Emanate Class of 2019 as they walk across the stage and graduate from the Emanate program.  Our students came from all over the US and there is a couple from Germany.  It has been a full 18 months for our students as they have prepared for cross cultural church planting. This preparation happens in and out of the classroom, up to jungle camp and back down.  It is so neat to see how God has used our students in the community and in their churches.  We know God will use them in a mighty way as they head out all over the world.  We have done a lot of life together and they will be dearly missed as they have left their finger print on our hearts.  

The First "LAST"

This is graduation week for us here at Emanate.  We have a full week of classes finishing up on Friday night with our graduation. So this week is filled with a lot of "LASTS".  Today was our LAST joint chapel where we hear encouragment from the Word.  Vern had the priveldge of sharing in chapel.  We also shared communion, sang, and prayed together.  I shed a few tears as we spent this precious time together.  Oh how sweet to worship together.  Our hearts are truly moved as we see another group of students finishing up and heading out to serve the Lord.  

The Count Down is On ...

Within a few weeks our classes will be finished up and on Dec. 13th our sudents will be graduating.  Therefore our families will soon be once again in TRANSITION.   They will be packing up and uprooting their children again and moving back to their home areas.  Although there is some excitement, there is also some saddness involved as the children think of leaving the friends that they have made here.  So todays lesson was on how to have closure, how to have final celebrations with   friends, and acknowledge and thank important people here who have invested in them.  We also talked about their emotions and how they are feeling.  It is always fun to spend time with these dear little ones.  Please pray for them and all the transitions ahead.

Finishing Well

Last night we ladies, of our Emanate staff went out for a Farewell dinner in honor of Kirsten who will soon be leaving our team.  Her, Ryan, and their two children will transitioning to a new ministry in Mexico. Kirsten has been the youngest member of our team and her energy and enthusiasm will be greatly missed.  In a world where young families are living for the "North American Dream" it is refreshing to see them willing to lay that aside and to live as pilgrims in this world. Thanks  Kirsten for how you have invested in the Emanate training program and the many students that have come through our doors.  We are cheering you on as you will soon be transitioning to your new ministry!

Be On the Look Out!

How good are you at finding "God Sightings" throughout your day.  There are times when God can seem very close and it is easy to see his hand at work all around us.  However there are times when the circumstances of life can make God seem far off.  It is like looking at a "Where's Waldo" book.  You know he is there but it is hard to see him.  However, if you take the time to look, you can find him.  So as we go through challenging times in life, God is there, we just need to be looking and searching for him.  

Our missionary families go through many transitions that can be hard and challenging.  Our students will be graduating next month and our families will be thrown into another transition.  They will be packing up and moving, saying good-bye to friends here on the campus, at church, and in the community.  It is during times like these that life can feel like you are walking through a fog.   So today our lesson was on: "God Sightings". We started by looking at a "Where's Waldo" book to see if we could find Waldo in the midst of the chaos.  And as we were talking about being on the look out and searching for clues - I made up a scavenger hunt.  We started off with one clue and it took us around campus and then back to my office.  

As we continued to talk about "God Sightings", I introduced the children to a "Blessings Jar".  If we are looking, there are so many "Yea God" moments throughout our days and weeks.  God is always walking with us throughout all the twists and turns of life.  If we can take a minute to look for "God Sightings" along the way, it is a reminder of God faithfully walking with us in life.  As we tune our hearts to God it is easier to see God at work.  Writing down these "God Sighting" and filling a jar with them is a great practical reminder of God's faithfulness to us.  I love to open my jar at the end of the year to be reminded of all that God is doing around me.   It is such a joy and privilege to share these special teaching moments with these dear children.  What "God Sightings" have you seen this week?

Men, Memory Making Moments!

We have the great privilege of working along side a bunch of Godly men and woman.  Most of our coworkers have worked for a number of years overseas.  However, we have a young couple, Ryan & Kirsten, who have been part of the Emanate team and are heading to the field for the first time this spring.  We have been so richly blessed from their lives and what they have brought to our Emanate team.  In wanting to send them off well, we have been looking for ways to celebrate and encourage them on in this next phase of life.  Our Emanate men were able to have a lunch date together having meaningful connection and also some fun around the pool tables.  In a ministry where we are always investing in our students these moments together are greatly treasured.

Bloom - Blossoming into the Artists We Want to Be!

Last night we had the privilege to attend the opening of Alyssa's Art show at the art gallary at Liberty University.  Alyssa is a very talented artist and it was a thrill for us to be able to see her pieces that were on display.  (There were also two other students that had their pieces on display.  They did a wonderful job as well!) It will be neat to see the different doors God opens for Alyssa in the future as she continue to develope and grow as an artist.  GREAT JOB ALYSSA!!!!!  You can check her art out at: https://alyssadyck.com

The three Artist