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Time Moves On

Hola! Well everyone it looks like its my turn to write the blog! This is Jessica by the way and I'm the Prayer Coordinator here at the RIC! That means that I get to pray ten hours a week which is like two hours a day. With this position I also get the oppurtunity to really dig into peoples lives. I get to see whats really going on in their lives and pray for them and with them. I also get to help out with the other stuff here at the RIC, like cleaning and fixing beds. Anyway, enough about me I'll talk about something else now.

I'll tell you a little bit about one of my outreaches. Me and Janae go to a place called The Zone. We go every Tuesday and Thursday after school. We work with elementry school children. Janae works with the kindergarten and first graders and I get to work with the second and third graders. We have our good days with the kids and we also have bad days too. Most of the time we help in the homework room and then we help with class when that starts. Mostly we just go and love on the kids, they tend to be really in need of it. Its good for us to have a different pace then what were used to having. I'm sure i'll have a good story later in time to tell you but for now I cant think of one.

I just want to thank all of you for your prayers we definatly need them!

And we're off!

Hello everyone, Janae here, and it's been a full first month as we get settled in at the RIC. It's amazing to think that we're already into our second month and time isn't slowing down any time soon! I'd say we're pretty well settled in now. We've been going to different outreach locations in the community and going about the regular duties of the day. I am one of the two Hospitality Assistants, so some of my time is spent cleaning rooms and doing laundry. Most weekends there is a group here, either in the rooms for a retreat or renting a classroom for a service. We enjoy meeting the guests and even finding some acquaintances at times.   

A few weeks ago, Austin, Megan, Jess and I were able to go to Light in the Valley Chapel for their Sunday morning service and share a bit about our experiences overseas. Austin brought a wonderful message about getting out of your comfort zone and being missional in your daily life. I was also able to talk to Ally's parents (who is going to Kenya, where I was) and Megan talked to Donny's parents (who is in N-pal where she was). It was so good to talk to them and hear their perspective and what they are going through. I can't wait to meet all of the REACHers in re-entry.

Also lately in our Missions and Leadership class, we've been learning how to speak using the SCORRE method (by Ken Davis). So far we've given two speeches to the class and already have shown great improvement. Of course there is still plenty to learn and at times it can feel a little overwhelming, but... such is life. Thank you all for your prayers. We interns sure do appreciate them!

And So it Begins . . .

Greetings and Salutations from the New Staff Interns,

     Actually, this is only one Staff Intern writing, and I feel okay about putting those words in my teammates mouths. As of today we have officially finished our first week of Staff Orientation and are twenty four hours away from surviving our second official week of being the new Staff Interns. During our first week we spent a lot of time learning new things and information, and realizing just what we have gotten ourselves into. Needless to say, I am looking forward to the next year with lots of excitement and expectations. My highlight from the first week would probably be the Sunday morning I spent in a Church environment that was completely different from anything I have experienced. It was indeed a true celebration and I found myself challenged by the people's joy and worship. They were beyond hospitable and have now become examples to our team of what it means to truly welcome and love guests. I felt right at home even though everything was new and different. The moment I will never forget is when the pastor prayed for both Denise and I, and it was evident that God had given him the words to pray over us. I do not know that we will continue to attend this church for the rest of the year, but I do know we will never forget the body of Christ that ministered to us that day. 
 
     Our second week began with lots of cleaning and work, and continued with teachings and getting plugged into our different outreaches. All of us have been helping out Wednesday evenings at Manna Cafe and helping to prepare, serve, and clean up after providing a meal for a hundred plus homeless people. I love the time I get to spend at Manna Cafe and the conversations I am able to have with the people there. I also have been going to a new outreach with Denise and Ryan. It is a ministry started and operated by a very unique and special couple who has been trying to reach out to a troubled neighborhood. They began having Bible Studies for the children within their neighborhood between the age of five and twelve and now have Bible Studies for teenagers, cooking classes, tutoring, and financial education classes. All of these activities happen in their kitchen and living room and it is both encouraging and challenging to see the love and care for their adopted family and they way that they are involved in their lives. I am excited about the many things I am going to learn about community outreach, but also intimidated by how impossible it seems right now to be able to establish relationships with these kids. Honestly, it is another culture and I have a lot of learning to do! :) We have found it easier to connect with the younger children though and thoroughly enjoyed our time with them. My favorite moment of that night would be when the children were giving examples of how others have used their words to harm them. One girl gave the example of how another girl on the bus called her "the B word." Another little five year old furrowed her brow and said, "She called you a bumble bee?!" :)

     Well, I could go on and on, but I will just end this informative update now and let someone else tell you more in a few weeks. Thank you for reading this and even more for keeping us in your prayers. It is appreciated beyond what words can even begin to describe.  

   God Bless You! 
 Megan Marie Mast (aka. the new kitchen assistant)

The Making of the REACHers: Tales from Discipleship Training

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The weeks of sharing space in the Rosedale International Center are crammed with new experiences for REACH initiates. The 2011 teams have finished packing up their own vivid memories from DTS and are now on outreach gathering some more. A few of them were kind enough to share stories from their time in Columbus, from the serious to the lighthearted.

The Christmas Story Continued

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It is incredible to me that another year of REACH training has already come to a close. The teams are all out and actively seeking and sharing the Lord in uncomfortable and sometimes difficult places. It is not the normal thing to walk away from comfort and into a place of challenges, but right now there are 21 young people who have willingly, and even excitedly, chosen to step forward to do just that.

Alumni Happenings Winter 2012

Every few months we put together a list of births, weddings, and other interesting alumni happenings to keep you up to date on what is going on.

Weathering Transition

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The day you've anticipated in your dreams (or nightmares) has finally arrived. Perhaps today the company finally contacted you offering you the job... or maybe you just got word that your job no longer exists. It might be that you're graduating and still don't have a job or a clear plan for what's next in your life.  Or perhaps you're the one who just found out you're pregnant... or that you miscarried. It could be that you've just started or ended a relationship; maybe you're in the middle of changing churches, buying a house, or going back to school in order to make a major career change.