Life has been buzzing 24/7 here at the Kanakuk Institute. Last week was evangelism week, we were challenged to really be intentional in genuinely caring about people we meet out in public, as well as our loved ones around us. It is so easy to stay in our comfortable bubble, but Christ calls us to go and love others and spread the gospel to those who do not know him. To put this into practice, we went out into the community on Thursday. I was able to visit a local retirement home, where I visited with 3 different women. It was very interesting to hear their stories...one in particular sticks out, because she grew up in Bern, Kansas and her father owned the sale barn, which is just up the road from where my parents live. She was familiar with some of the Bern/Sabetha last names I name-dropped...small world!! Another lady I talked to was a woman who was 92... she was pretty depressed with health concerns, and recent losses of family members. I was able to encourage her from Romans 5 and pray with her. She was much more pleasant towards the end of the conversation and she even smiled as she thanked me for talking with her. I hope to return soon to visit my new friends. :)
Class work, my internship, and my small group Bible study have also been keeping me busy these last few weeks. I have been working on my Precepts Bible study on the life of Abraham, my Bible Overview project, and my student speech that I presented this past Tuesday. It was geared toward 5th - 6th grade girls and was titled, “Stayed Plugged into God: Illuminate the Son!”. I talked about being a light for Jesus, and built my talk around Matthew 5:13-16 → “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” I created handouts that served as Bible bookmarks which emphasized how we are to GO and make disciples, BE the salt and the light of the earth, and DO all things that are good, true, and right. The speech went pretty well, and was actually fun to deliver. It will also come in handy as material for my small group or Awana group.
Tim came into town this past weekend and we went to an October birthday celebration/costume party Friday night...we dressed up as Jim and Pam from The Office. There were many interesting costumes and characters at the party...it was great! :)
Jim and Pam. So great :)
Awesome costumes!
One of my favorites...rock, paper, scissors!
On Sunday, October 31, we celebrated the end of our current Western theme at church. The kids had the privilege of meeting Cowboy Travis and Texas Jack...a 2,000 pound Texas longhorn steer that has been tamed by Cowboy Travis. Travis shared the message of salvation as well as the story of Texas Jack. All the kids (and adults!) absolutely loved it.
Cowboy Travis and Texas Jack.
FBC Branson Children's Ministry Interns (me, Ben, Denise) with our Director, Teresa.
Every other Wednesday, we meet at the KI chapel to worship and listen to a speaker...it is so encouraging every week. This time, Bruce Morgan spoke on truth and knowledge and how all of it is useless unless applied. It definitely hit home for many of us. James 1:22-25 says, “ Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” This is an instruction from God to go and do, even when we think we know better ...Bruce had a great message, but one idea really stuck with me, “If my relationship with Him is out of love, I will obey. If I hesitate or refuse, I must love something more than Him”. Bruce challenged us to quit making it harder than it is, just Go and Do, Trust and Obey. We need to wake up every morning and remind ourselves of who we are and what a great God we serve!
Wednesday night, all of us went out to an open field close to KI and listened to “Under the Stars” with Joe White . He wowed us with facts about the universe and how awesome our Creator is. Truly incredible and unforgettable.
This past week, Chad Hampsch has been lecturing on Church History. It may sound boring, but it has been SO interesting to see how the church first developed and has changed throughout the centuries. I do love history, so I was very intrigued with the material this week.
I am so blessed and thankful I have the opportunity to be here at the Institute. God is teaching me so much!
Stay tuned next week for an overview on the upcoming weekend festivities... :)
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