Mission Accomplished

We are back in NW Arkansas after spending over a week in Branson at Chaplain's University. It was a week of additional training, sometimes described as intense - and it was. We all were mentally exhausted after the end of each day, but it was a wonderful exhaustion. Imagine spending all of the time learning how to lead like Jesus, learning how to defend our faith (apologetics), listening to a Christian women's testimony, spending an additional two sessions on pastoral counseling, as well as enjoying the fellowship of other chaplains, wonderful morning snacks, a bountiful lunch, and then an afternoon pick-up nutrition!!!




Mission House - our home for over a week



the great room - where all things happened

n an earlier blog, I  mentioned that we spent two days learning how to lead like Jesus - to be a servant leader . One of my most memorable verses was II Corinthians 5:9 "persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down, but not destroyed".

We took time to just sit and do nothing by leaving the room, finding a quiet place of solitude, and do nothing. It was extremely eye-opening, giving a person a feeling of being free - the feeling of having nothing to do - no thinking, no praying, no anything.

The evenings were spent at the Mission House, fellowshipping with others, discussing the day's teaching, just enjoying each other's quiet company, and of course, indulging in an ice cream feeding frenzy, thanks to Jack Gregory.


Chaplains busy at work building a sundae



finished product




The week went by very quickly, as we studied Apologetics - defending the Bible in an unreal world. We absorbed fully the reason we believe the Bible is the true word of God, and God is Lord. Ron Lint did an amazing job defending the truth of the Resurrection through the eyes of a lawyer, judge, and jury.

God is Lord! 

Ron Lint - Apologetics leader

While we were in session, we prayed for two of our chaplains who were recently ordained.  May God continue to lead and bless Chaplains Bob Ostermaier and Jim Troutman. We  surprised  two couples who celebrated the wedding anniversaries on Wednesday. We presented them with flowers and wished them well. One of the couples celebrated by attending the show "Noah". If you are in Branson, you would be truly blessed by seeing this presentation at The Sight and Sound Theater.

Congratulations to Chaplain Bob and Lois Glossenger







And also Dr. Dan and Laura Griffin

Our Friday session was a segregated one - the men had a short session on media presentation given by Bob Glossenger. We ladies listened to speaker Christine Lint - who spoke on our Lord and God - our anchor and compass.  She accented her own personal testimony with scripture to enable us to always have our anchor in the right place - with God.

The Anchor and the Compass

We completed our sessions on Friday night and Saturday with teaching of pastoral counseling - The Heart of the Problem. Is the problem really with a marriage, relationship, or other situation, or is the problem really sin, that enters in and creates the problem? A wonderful insight to solving problems in our own relationships.

Some of the participants left on Friday and also Saturday, but we stayed on until Sunday, when we worshiped at the KOA Campgrounds with Senior Chaplain Dennis Maloney officiating. At this time, Chaplain Fred Campbell was commissioned after being examined by his peers in preparation for his ordination. It was a perfect service to end our time at Chaplain's University.

Senior Chaplain Dennis Maloney congratulating Chaplain Fred Campbell

 

We are now back in NW Arkansas, preparing to head south to Texas to continue our ministry there. We are anxious to join with others as we support Children's Haven International, minister to all the volunteers, and allow God to lead us on the path He has chosen for us.