While you're surfing, take a few and look at the blog over at Heifer International's site. Such an important ministry to thousands in developing countries, and such a good model for the rest of us.
In other news, the Van Zwol's are in the throes of moving, which is the only explanation I have for missing so many blog days. I am especially sorry that I didn't give a shout out to the Amazing Mission Fair last Sunday. What a wonderful opportunity to connect with various ministries locally and around the globe with whom BelPres is in partnership! I hope you all went, and I hope that you learned something new. My 12 year old now has a magnet with the name of a Bellevue Police officer on it--along with a promise to pray for that officer. Very cool!
I love seeing how much God is doing through BelPres, and am really looking forward to where he leads us missionally in 2011/12. Go God!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Is Japan Calling You?
Tomorrow is deadline day for the upcoming Japan Impact Team trip to Ishinomaki, Japan. God wants to use you. Is this where? Email rleatherberry@belpres.org to find out more!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Back To School
I've been talking with my boys a lot the last few days about how to "be Jesus" to their classmates. Being kind and respectful, yes, but also being an advocate for those who get left out or picked on.
Last year one of my boys had the sad opportunity to walk with a classmate through the death of a parent. I was proud of how my guy stood by his friend, listened to his silliness (I guess when you're 9 being super-silly is a grief response?), and did a good job of being there for the friend. Just before school started this year, we found out that the friend was switching schools because of all the taunting he got after his father's passing. Wow. He called to say goodbye to Piers, and said that some kids going into third and fourth grade were saying some horrible things to him, and that he thought it would be better to go somewhere where no one knew he didn't have a dad. Wow.
I plan to have a conversation with the principal. Maybe she's aware of the situation (the bullying--I know she knew about the death) but I really feel that we as a school need to do some talking about how to deal with a situation like this.
This morning yet another friend posted a status that included the line "Be kind. Everyone is fighting a battle." This is so true, and so very much what we are called to do. May God give us all the grace to "be Jesus" to the people we come into contact with each day.
Last year one of my boys had the sad opportunity to walk with a classmate through the death of a parent. I was proud of how my guy stood by his friend, listened to his silliness (I guess when you're 9 being super-silly is a grief response?), and did a good job of being there for the friend. Just before school started this year, we found out that the friend was switching schools because of all the taunting he got after his father's passing. Wow. He called to say goodbye to Piers, and said that some kids going into third and fourth grade were saying some horrible things to him, and that he thought it would be better to go somewhere where no one knew he didn't have a dad. Wow.
I plan to have a conversation with the principal. Maybe she's aware of the situation (the bullying--I know she knew about the death) but I really feel that we as a school need to do some talking about how to deal with a situation like this.
This morning yet another friend posted a status that included the line "Be kind. Everyone is fighting a battle." This is so true, and so very much what we are called to do. May God give us all the grace to "be Jesus" to the people we come into contact with each day.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Japan Tsunami Clean-Up Video
Great, moving video of the work Peter Thomson is doing in Tsunami-devastated Ishinomaki, Japan. It's a little more than 9 minutes, but entirely worth watching.
This is the area where our Impact Team will be working part of the time in the upcoming late October trip. If you are interested, contact Rich Leatherberry. Decision date is September 9, so pray about it quick! :-)
This is the area where our Impact Team will be working part of the time in the upcoming late October trip. If you are interested, contact Rich Leatherberry. Decision date is September 9, so pray about it quick! :-)
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