Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Avidadventurer :)

The Christmas Story-as told by kids

King Tut's Treasures

This is an article I wrote for the school newspaper about the 6th grade field trip to the King Tut museum. It was a great opportunity to connect faith and learning!:

King Tut's Treasures

On November 1^st, sixth graders had the opportunity of a lifetime!

Together, alongside Mr. Almack, Mrs. Harrill and me, they traveled to Museo Reina Torres de Arauz to explore the treasures and artifacts of Ancient Egypt and King Tuthankamen. King Tuthankamen was an Egyptian pharaoh who died at a young age, but it is all the “stuff” he left behind that reveals to us more about life in Ancient Egypt during his time. The 6^th graders not only were able to see artifacts from King Tut’s tomb but several rooms filled with exhibits on topics such as the relationship between Greece and Egypt, Ramses II, Cleopatra, Akenhaten, the pyramids, the mummification process, and the mysteries surrounding Ancient Egypt.

The replicas the museum used were very realistic, and the 6^th graders were inspired in the creation of their own museum exhibits for their Ancient Egypt and the Near East project. The students also were able to do a scavenger hunt for the many gods the Egyptians worshipped. In the words of one 6^th grader: “Their beliefs were so complicated! It would have been easier to believe in the true God, Yahweh.”

 

One of our favorite exhibits at the museum was where we were all escorted into a cave, an exact replica of the Book of Caverns, complete with painted hieroglyphics covering the walls and telling the story of their beliefs about the afterlife. They even had sand on the floor!

When we returned to school, Mrs. Harrill had a special surprise for all of us! She told us her recruiting friend from a school in Cairo, Egypt, had sent hieroglyphic bookmarks to the 6^th graders at CCA as a gift and a reminder to pray for them.

It is very difficult to be in school in Cairo, because of many riots and violence in the country. Also, people cannot worship God as freely there, and Christians are persecuted. When our CCA students see their Cairo bookmarks, they can remember their fun time at the Egypt museum and to pray for the students at the Cairo Covenant School.

Curundu Christmas Party

Twas 5 days before break, when 6th through 8th grade
Planned a fun party to give, share, celebrate
The presents were wrapped on the tables with care
In hopes that Curundu soon would be there

When up pulled a bus with the windows rolled down
Loaded with kids, not one had a frown
Meeting their buddies with hugs and high fives
The students kneeled down with care in their eyes

They guided the kids through a game and snack line
To visit Mrs. Claus and her elf--very kind!
They helped the kids listen during a skit
and watched little eyes widen when finding their gifts.

Feliz Navidad! They shouted in glee
alongside their buddy, attached at the knee
Jump ropes and make-up, hula-hoops and toy cars
The students learned that to love, there's no need to go far

Soccer balls in hand, the kids waved goodbye
Hasta luego and we'll see you next time!

Radical

Ever since the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church this year, I've subscribed to receive daily ministry updates and prayer requests from Open Doors International. (Which I'd highly recommend if you want to a) deepen your prayer life and b) become more aware of God's work and global events around the world.)

I just had to share this powerful devotional. Whether you are "standing strong through the storm" or giving God glory for calming the seas, this is a message of challenge and of encouragement for all Christ-followers. God has the victory!

RADICAL CHRISTIANITY 
(by Paul Estabrooks of Open Doors International, 2011)

"Radical Christianity is a lifestyle, not just a mindset. Radical Christianity is concerned with:

• Conquering, not cowering.
• Sacrifice, not superficiality.
• Victory, not verbiage.
• Scoring, not slumming.
• Penetration, not pandering.

Radical Christianity is in first gear, neutral is nonexistent.  Radical Christianity is courageous, but never constrictive, constraining or cautious! Radical Christianity moves mountains, crosses Red Seas, pulls down walls, builds walls, walks on water, raises the dead, calms storms, feeds 5000 and walks through closed doors.

It suffers regularly, soars often, sweats daily, saturates everything and spreads everywhere. Radical Christianity calls sin black, hell hot, hypocrisy evil, Satan a liar and judgment sure. It doesn’t back down, sit down or stay down. Radical Christianity doesn't depend on the strokes of others to keep it going. It doesn’t acquiesce in the face of loud opposition, fold under pressure, wince under criticism, tarnish under time, die under duress, fade under technology, nor rot under moisture. It doesn’t rust, retreat, renounce, reconsider, return or renege.

Radical Christianity always lifts up Christ, knocks down barriers, marches over objections, overwhelms pessimism, gobbles up cynicism, and tramples down skepticism.

Radical Christianity gives lavishly, prays relentlessly, claims abundantly, works feverishly, preaches powerfully, serves lovingly, perseveres patiently and believes expectantly! Radical Christianity dares to challenge the prevailing standard to make it God’s.

It never plays to the grandstands, nor waters down its position, nor adjusts its principles, but rather is a thermostat that controls its surroundings, never a thermometer that merely adjusts to them.

 It is never big, popular, stylish, convenient, in vogue or in-step with the world. Its adherents are few, its sound clear, its philosophy unpopular and its rewards great. Its disciples aren’t rewarded by this world but are those to whom Christ will say, “Well done!”

A congregation of believers was worshiping in a Sunday service in Peru when a squad of heavily armed "Shining Path" rebels came rushing in. “We’ve heard that this group is committed to God. How many of you are willing to die for your faith? Raise your hands,” he commanded.

Fearing they would be slaughtered, most of the congregation remained still. But a small number of believers tentatively raised their hands. The others were released and the commander said, “Those of you who raised your hands, stop worrying. We’re not going to kill you. We just wanted to see who in the congregation believed enough in their faith that they were willing to die for it. That’s the kind of radical commitment we’re looking for.”

RESPONSE
Today I commit to being a radical Christian and give everything I am and have 

to Jesus.

PRAYER
Pray for Christians in conflict areas 

who must regularly put their lives on the line."

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS) A daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks

© 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission