Getting to know the other staff has been a blessing. It seems that we have gone over to a full time staff member's house every other night for times of fellowship. The eight GPAs are a unique group of people, in that we literally come from all over the country with a wide variety of life experiences. In some ways this makes things a little more challenging, but on the whole i think it is a blessing to be able to fellowship with other Christians is such fashion. The highlight of the week was the staff Christmas party in which everyone dressed up in crazy Christmas outfits. The GPAs reenacted Santa's sleigh with 8 reindeer and Rudolph and came crashing into dinner last night winning third prize, a CD. I don't have a picture of the whole group. However, here are Santa and Myself (one of the reindeer). You can check Facebook or the HoneyRock blog for more photos. The first is the dining hall which is now becoming decorated for Christmas.
Being outside. Hum... Well, to the locals winter has been a little mild so far, but to those of you farther south that are reading this it is getting pretty extreme. For example today, we were outside all day. I don't think it was above 5 degrees today, we have around a foot of snow, and the lake is frozen over. This is just enough for us to learn snowshoeing, start packing down the tube hill and ski trails, and to work almost all day to get 2 of the 3 broomball courts flooding (as in we are making ice rinks). Here a few outside pictures from before and after our first big snow storm.
HoneyRock is primarily centered about creating a place apart where people can learn and grow in their relationship with God. Thus, everything that happens here is focused on where people's hearts are before God though enabling them to learn about God and to serve others. This is for everyone including full time staff, temporary staff, retreat guests, campers, etc. We strive to be a community with a missional focus. This means that HoneyRock's reason for existing is to carry about God's work in the world through directly impacting people or enabling people to be sent out into other places of the world. You can always read more info about this on the HoneyRock website but i just wanted to share these few things with you to demonstrate that i am overjoyed to be here literally making a difference in God's kingdom.
Praises:
-God has done amazing work in laying the foundation for our group to be a great team ready to serve.
-For numerous amazing and encouraging conversations with other staff.
-While it seams that the surrounding towns are pretty spiritually dark, the church is thriving.
Prayer Requests:
-That our community would continue to develop and be service oriented.
-That i would continue to serve others rather than myself.
-That we would continue to grow in our passion for Jesus.
-Several of us (including me) have been dealing with a light head cold (One doesn't notice when outside because our sinuses are frozen :). Pray for renewed strength.
Blessings from the North Woods!
-Matt
Sounds like a really good place. God bless you.
ReplyDelete