I just wanted to write a word of THANKS to all of you who made my “goodbye” so heart-warming and incredibly special! It has been an absolute joy and delight to work with CAM these last couple of years and it is bitter-sweet to leave a position I love (even though I would imagine I am entering a new position I will love)! Thanks again for the gift of a “Movie Night In;” as we adjust to life with an infant this will certainly come in handy and we will be sure to enjoy! Also, I love the scrapbook and cherish your kind words and memories. Blessings to each of you and CAM this coming semester – but I am not falling off the face of the earth, so be sure to stay in touch and I will see you around!

This past Tuesday night we began our new series called “when I grow up.” We talked about how the decisions that we make today will affect the people who we become tomorrow. There is a story that each of us is writing and a path that each of us is on. The pieces are connected. It’s like “the domino effect.” Here is a link to wikipedia’s thoughts on the domino effect.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domino_effect

At the end of my talk, I asked people to answer these questions.

At the end of your life, What story do you want to have written?

In light of the story that you want to write, are the decisions you are making in life helping or hindering you in writing that story.

We are all on a path. What path are you on and where is it taking you?

While I was prepping for my talk, I came across 2 great clips from youtube that exemplify “the domino effect.” One is with old school dominoes while the other is with mentos and diet coke. My guess is they might not bring any more any more clarity to what we discussed Tuesday night…..but they are stinkin fun to watch!!

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOGqZAMHS-M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vk4_2xboOE

CAM Honduras Trip – OFFICIAL DATES: MAY 16-30th.
Applications are due NEXT Tuesday, January 26th! Check out www.blackhawkcam.org for more information and online applications. Space and Time are limited – submit your application ASAP! Questions? Contact Lauren at globalimpact@blackhawkchurch.org.

I’m sitting this morning watching people on the news share more and more tragic information about the ramifications of the earth quake in Haiti. Needless to say, it is staggering. I feel like there is only so much that I can take in at one time yet, I don’t ever want to turn it off.
I received an email from a friend of mine on staff at Blackhawk named Paul Lefeber who lost a friend there. Here is his email…..

I just received news from Mariah that a friend of ours (Ben) was killed by the earthquake in Haiti. He and his wife have only been married for a few years. She was in the same building but survived. He and his wife were finishing seminary degrees at Wartburg in Dubuque, IA. They had previously interned at a church in Lincoln. He was a guy with a lot of life and passion for Christ. They were in Haiti on a short term mission trip, serving on Lord.

If you would, please pray for his wife Renee and his parents (also pastors). This is an amazing tragedy for them.

Also, perhaps you could take a moment today to pray for what is going on down there. It sounds pretty unbelievable. I can’t help but wonder how many stories there are like Ben’s. Not to mention the untold numbers of Haitians who have died.

If you’re interested, here is an article about Ben:
http://www.wibw.com/nationalnews/headlines/81548117.html

Peace,
paul

Welcome, Seth Dunham – New CAM Intern!

Seth is on board full-time with the CAM team at least through May 2010 and is already an awesome asset to the team. He has his undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies from Trinity International and is a recent graduate of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School with a Masters in Divinity. He is taking on some teaching oppportunities and other leadership roles within the ministry this and we hope you all have a chance to meet him soon and get to know him throughout the semester. If you’re interested in being in touch, friend him on Facebook (he needs friends) or email him at sdunham@blackhawkchurch.org.

CAM Honduras Trip: May 17-26

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE TUESDAY, JANUARY 26!

Blackhawk has a long-standing relationship with our brothers and sisters in Orica, Honduras at the Alpha y Omega Church. We partner with the UW Landscape Architecture Department to build playgrounds in Orica. The team also travels to another community, Siguatapeque, to work on designing parks, playgrounds, and construction.

If you’re interested in applying, please visit blackhawkchurch.org/short_term for the trip application, background check, and more information; visit the Blackhawk Church website at blackhawkchurch.org for FAQ’s.

Space for the trip is limited; if you’re applying please make sure you’re able to attend the mandatory meeting times listed below:

February 7 – First-Time Traveler Training (10:30 am) Mandatory for all Blackhawk first-time travelers!

March 7 – All-Trip Training (4:30 pm)
Mandatory for all Blackhawk travelers!

Questions? Contact Lauren at globalimpact@blackhawkchurch.org

For a wide variety of reasons, each day upon my reading of scripture I settle on a brief passage and think about it throughout the day. The point is not just to think about it, but pray through it and let it permeate my heart and mind; work its way through me. This morning as I read, the following passage jumped out and I have since been pondering what the Lord might be saying to me right now:

“As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.”
Mark 1: 17-18

The passage seems so straight forward and easy to comprehend; simply follow Jesus. Now. Period. However, in day to day life how clouded that message becomes or at least how easily it is pushed aside. I read about Simon and Andrew and think, “Clearly if Jesus physically came up to me and directed me to follow Him I would do so, right?” Not only does he say here to follow him (what I take in this instance as literally following him and learning from his leading), but the point is that these men will follow His instruction, will learn from Him, and then be able to bring others to Him because of what they learn.

This has led me to think today of how often I do not respond to his order to follow Him, which leads to sharing his Grace with others. However, it also prompted me to think of how I can do this in even the most menial daily tasks: Today, did I drive politely, with others in mind? Was a talkative or kind towards to grocery store cashier? Was I considerate towards others in conversation? Did I cook, clean, and serve others joyfully? And, were each of these things evidence of the Holy Spirit in me and did they shine the light of the Gospel?

I obviously have no answers, but even thinking on these verses and being more aware this afternoon than I was this morning of how they should shroud my every thought and action, I feel a deeper calling to “follow and fish!”