The Week in Review 2 Dec 2011

Wow, this was one of those weeks where you feel like you got stuff done, but you're still wondering if it was the right stuff.

This week I'm still facilitating the online course for EQUIP, 'Intentional Living.' This is a really good group of students, so it's not a lot of work to help them interact with the material. We're in the third week of the course, so we've tackled 'Guarding Your Heart,' 'Ministering from Your Strengths,' and this week is 'Figure out the Big Rocks.' Next week will be the final week where we 'Connect the Compass to the Clock' and develop a rhythm for living an intentional life. One reason I enjoy facilitating this class is that it is an opportunity for me to reassess how I'm doing in these areas.

There were a couple of coaching calls this week, one in person and one online. Those are exciting times where I get to hear what God is doing in lives and how He is building His Church. Aside from the call where I get trained, I met with my 'peer coach' to begin our next module on Life Coaching and I met with a church planter who said, 'You'll probably be frustrated with me, I have not been very coachable in the past.' I wonder if he knows that I'm challenge motivated.

I was able to help with the ICSB middle school boys basketball team this week. Bill Babione asked me to fill in for him while he was gone, so I helped Ellis Vaughan and his son Samuel ride herd on 18 young men. Two of them happened to be Nate & John, which was nice. Nate touched the rim for the first time yesterday, so he was hopping around the gym making sure all the rims were the same height or something. =) It sure is fun watching your kids grow up.

Next week is looking busy with lots of reading/prep, coaching calls and training, plus two meetings for the Danube International Church elders (I'm one of them) where we're going to work on vision and direction for the church. Please ask that I'd be a diligent worker in the Lord's Harvest through the coming week.

Serving with the Army

Today I went with John’s 5th grade ICSB class to one of the Salvation Army homeless shelters in Budapest. The building was built by the Salvation Army in 1927-28 and operated as a homeless shelter for men until 1948 when it was taken from them by the communists. It remained some kind of shelter for men without families or just released from prison during the communist years in Hungary, but virtually no money was given toward upkeep. When the building was returned to the Salvation Army in 1991 it was in a shambles. They have worked hard to repair the building and rebuild the ministry to homeless men and women in Budapest.

John’s class brought supplies for the battered women’s shelter. The director met us at the men’s shelter to receive the gifts, since the location of the women’s shelter is secret. She was excited to accept diapers, baby food, bottles, toys and clothes for the children housed there.

The class was able to brighten the day of the 250 men and women who are served a free lunch there as well. The meal is simple, but provided every day of the year and cakes are donated for a nice dessert. They bring the people in to the dining room in three groups and the class sang Hungarian Christmas carols to each group.

I was impressed with two things today.

First, the ministry of the Salvation Army in Budapest. The officers discovered that 493 children in the 8th district are on a waiting list to get into daycare. While that might seem overwhelming, they are doing what they can. They opened a daycare that is currently able to care for 7 of them. That might seem like a drop in the bucket, but I’m sure it’s a cup of cool water to those 7 families.

Second, the 5th grade class at ICSB impressed me. Before we toured the facility, we were told to treat the people housed there with respect, to look them in the eye and speak politely to them. From what I saw, it seemed that every student did just that. One person even mentioned that they appreciated how the students honored them in their singing. When Andrew Morgan, the director, asked if they had any questions, he was flooded with good questions about the ministry there. These students seem mature and interested in how they can serve.

Today was a different day for me. Usually I’m talking with guys about the big picture. Today, I watched quietly as hundreds of lives were touched in the name of Jesus by some dedicated volunteers and 15 ICSB 5th graders.

Thanksgiving Chapels

I'm doing the Elementary and Middle School chapel services at ICSB tomorrow (Wednesday). Here is my illustration for the Elementary chapel. The Middle School might get a peek at it, too.

Bragging

One thing that I really enjoy is spending time with my kids. Only half of their number live with us anymore. It was fun to spend some time with Matt in DC and Tim & Beth in Wheaton.

I’m hopelessly proud of my kids. It’s fun to be with them, I admire their spiritual maturity, and I love the people they are becoming. More than once I’ve had the thought, “Wow, I want to be more like him/her.”

Each one is different, so even with only three of them at home it’s never boring. This weekend has been full.

Nate was in the ICSB Middle school production of Aladdin.

John had a couple basketball games.

John making magic

Katie had her birthday party (a murder mystery that I got to host).

Today is the beginning of basketball season at ICSB, so we’re becoming a basketball family for the next few months.

Thanks, God, for such great kids.

Washington’s Proclamation

Getting ready to speak at the Elementary & Middle School chapel services at ICSB next Wednesday, I found this:

 

WHEREAS, It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor;

WHEREAS, Both the houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness”!

Now, therefore, I do recommend next, to be devoted by the people of the states to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be, that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country.

—George Washington

Tan, P. L. (1996, c1979). Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations : A treasury of illustrations, anecdotes, facts and quotations for pastors, teachers and Christian workers. Garland TX: Bible Communications.

ICSB Basketball Tournament

This event is arguably the highpoint of the year for the school. None of my kids have ever been involved (other than Jonathan Edwards), but I will do everything I can to be there each year. I am impressed each year with the solid character of many of the players involved. 'Potential' is the word that keeps ringing in my head as I'm watching these young men and women play from their hearts.

Here is Matt Jackson's write up of the final game from his Facebook page (he's Ben Jackson's dad, one of those 'solid character players' I mentioned earlier). I can't relate it any better:

The Intl Christian School of Budapest (ICSB) boys won their invitational tournament, which is their championship, tonight at their home court, beating teams from Budapest (AISB), Kiev and St. Petersburg, Russia. In the past few years an intense rivalries has developed between ICSB and Kiev as well as with their cross town rival AISB.

Just yesterday the Kiev team beat our boys in the seeding round of the tournament by nearly 20 points. ICSB boys knew they were off their game but not sure if that alone accounted for the 20 pts. Kiev's 4 starting seniors put together a team seemingly invincible. Tonight's game was looming large.

Winning the opening tip, the ICSB boys came out strong and opened up a quick lead. ICSB's 6' 5" Andrew Neel and 6' 3" Jacob Mullett from the base line were UNSTOPPABLE. Kiev's star player #50 Matthew Atkins went down early with a knee injury and did not play the rest of the game.

ICSB was up at half time. Kiev showed life in the 2nd half but due to some great hustle and defense, especially by Jake Sanders, the Kiev Eagles stayed grounded.

Ben led the game in assists and boards but was nearly shut down in his offensive scoring. Still, his play was vital to the team's win. Ben and teammate Andrew Neel both took spots on the all-tourney team.

The celebrations were long, hard and loud as the ICSB student body, players and fans rushed the court as the clock ticked to zero. Spontaneous dancing, ear-splitting cheering students celebrating and parents crying all rocked the gym on Ifusag street in Diosd, Hungary. Wow! What a win! What a celebration! No USA state championship could muster the kind of energy we felt in that gym tonight!

Crazy Hair Day

This is Spirit Week at ICSB. Monday was Pajama Day. Tuesday was Superhero Day. Wednesday...Crazy Hair Day. John has been growing his hair out for a few weeks in preparation. Nate was a little undecided. The clippers came out and he made the choice: an off-center short Mohawk. John stuck with his plan: the longer Mohawk. Tomorrow morning Kristi will spray on the green to highlight their choices.

We'll see if these dos last through the basketball tournament this weekend. Go Bulldogs!