Monday, August 8, 2011

Clown Character Pics





















Clown characters we met at the COAI Convention.

A dutch clown, cowgirl clown and mi favorita--the "Taco Bell" Clown!

These pictures were so cute, I just couldn't resist posting them too.

Clowns of America International (COAI) Convention

















In April, Paul and I attended the Clowns of America International (COAI) Convention which took place this year at Disneyland, just a few miles from where we live. I attended workshops on characterization and improvisation techniques. Paul practiced juggling, and went to face painting lectures. We both learned so much about clowning as an art form. As you can see from the pictures, we met some pretty cute characters, as well.

Paul-A Clown?


Top Three Clown Names: 
Boots, Jawbone, Mr. Orange 

Which is your favorite?

The highlight of the COAI Convention for Nancy was Paul “trying on” a clown face for the first time. Could Starburst be getting a partner? We are experimenting with possibilities for performing together the future. I think we would make a pretty good team! If so, Paul could draw on his theater experiences in college and continue to add to his skills. I have learned a lot from him already about rehearsal techniques. We will have to wait and see what God does but, it is exciting to dream about.

Starburst "MakeOver"


This Starburst "Makeover," motivated by the upcoming Children’s Retreat, included a new wig, vest, and large pockets added to suspender pants. What do you think of the new look?

Have Lama Will Travel

Starburst makes a new friend at the Twin Peaks Community Church Annual Strawberry Festival.

In June, Starburst shared a gospel Illusion for the “Kids Corner” Children’s Sermon at Twin Peaks Community Church. She also performed for their Annual Strawberry Festival as a strolling clown, entertaining with gags and a few pocket illusions.

"Clowning Around" at CMTA 2011















I wasn't the only one "Clowning Around" at the CMTA Convention!"

CMTA Conference 2011

At the end of April I exhibited for Christian Educators (CEAI) at the Christian Ministries Training Association (CMTA) Conference.

I also taught two workshops. “Grow your Children’s Ministry by Serving the Public School” took place on Friday. In it, we discussed how the church could reach out to schools in their neighborhood by providing after school clubs as a service to the school community.

My Saturday workshop was called, “Starting Your Own Gospel Clown Ministry.” This class is basically an introduction to clowning so I taught the class in clown as Starburst.

This
picture with Forrest Turpen and Carol Cliff was taken on Saturday after the clown ministry class.


Unforgettable


Mario Martinez (right) and Gwen Blankenship (pictured with students on the left) are two “unforgettable” educators.

Mario has been a leader at an after school Good News Club for 5 years at the elementary school where he teaches in Murrieta. His former students, now in middle school and high school, come back to talk with Mario and ask questions about God. As a result, he has led many of them to Christ.

Gwen has been teaching for 23 years; long enough to teach the younger siblings of former students. Currently, she teaches Life Science at Ensign Middle School in Newport Beach. Right before graduation this year, Mrs. Blankenship got this letter, which brought tears to her eyes. “Your kind-spirited heart has really touched mine in a way you couldn’t imagine. I feel as though you have impacted my life for the better. The way you can change a student’s life, makes me dream of what a great person I hope to be. Thank you.”

Many educators don’t realize that students are saying “you have a place in my heart” or “I haven’t forgotten how important you are to me.” These teachers received them like Christ talks about in Matthew 18:5, and students continue to hold what their teacher said or did close to their hearts and minds. This special kindness is what makes a teacher truly unforgettable.


Daniel Dreams Come True

At the Daniel Weekend in May 2010, each of us shared a dream that God had put on our heart; a dream powerful enough to transform schools. Brent Coley, one of the teachers who attended, shared with us that God had laid it on his heart to become a school principal--someday. On Monday, June 13, 2011, Brent was hired as Assistant Principal at Shivela Middle School in Murrieta. We look forward to how God is going to use Brent in the lives of many students, parents and fellow teachers.

Making A Difference Through Prayer

Every Monday morning for the last year, Rod, Ben and Mario have met to pray. They are Christian teachers who currently make up part of the 4th- 5th grade teaching team at Avaxat Elementary. They are especially committed because this prayer time has helped them get through unexpected events in their personal lives during the school year. “The Guys” were praying when Ben’s wife went to the hospital with an attack of appendicitis just after delivering their third child. They were also involved in praying specifically for Mario’s Father, who accepted Christ, just before he died. Mario’s mother and brother accepted Christ at the same time as his Father. Through this, Mario got to see a few of his lifelong prayers answered! When I met up with them in May, one of them jokingly admitted that they “almost” look forward to Monday morning prayer times more than Friday afternoons! That’s saying a lot for a teacher.
This group of prayer warriors became known at the school as they invited others to join them. A principal visited one meeting and asked them to pray for the needs of his own children. One parent even requested these teachers to pray with her son and daughter during lunchtime the day they got the news about their grandfather’s passing. It was a great comfort to these students to know that God understood and was caring for them in their time of sadness. God has truly been honoring the efforts of these teachers who are making a difference through prayer.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Learning to Love God


Children ask questions, share prayer requests and learn how to pray in Released Time Classes.

Strengthening the Work


It’s hard to believe that children can grow up not hearing the stories about Abraham, Moses and Jonah. Experience tells us that 60 percent of children who attend RT nationwide have no church background. RT volunteers get to be the ones to introduce them, not just to Bible and its characters, but to Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

One of my challenges is to visit each school where we have local RT classes. Through visiting these classes, I can encourage volunteers who teach, assist and drive. Sometimes I bring resources for them to use. Many of the volunteers purchase teaching materials out of their own pocket, in addition to freely giving their time. These folks sincerely believe that children in public schools should have Bible education. I want to do all I can to strengthen this work and reach as many children as possible.

Thanks for partnering with us to accomplish so much. We couldn’t do it without you! 

In Christ, -Nancy

Discovering Released Time Christian Education




Did you know that the Bible 
is being taught to 4th-6th graders, one hour a week-during the school day, outside 149 public schools in Southern California? It is called “Released Time Christian Education.”

The 10 different Released Time (RT) Programs are in Anaheim, Azusa, Chino Valley, Long Beach, 
Los Angeles, Ontario/Montclair, Orange, Placentia/Yorba Linda, Pomona and Santa Ana. These classes are held off-campus in nearby churches, trailers (mobile classrooms), and parks. School children from every background are welcome to join the class if they have parental permission. RT Christian Education Programs have been active in California for the last 67 years.

The Probablility of Accepting Christ





Between ages 5-13, there is a 32% probability of a person accepting Jesus as their Savior
(4% between ages 14-18 
and 6% for those 19 years and older).


Barna Institute Research on over 1,000 adults; May 2001

Fishing for the Biggest Catch




You might ask, “Why go to the public schools?” I am still an evangelist of children at heart. It makes sense to share the gospel when the human heart is most responsive. 
Research shows that those between the ages of 4 and 14 have the highest response rate. If you want to catch the most fish, would you fish in a small pond or the open sea? When I have shared the gospel in Neighborhood Good News Clubs our attendance was 8-10 children. When we held a Good News Club at a Church, 15-20 children would attend. But when club takes place at a public school we get 60-80 children; all from homes with little or no church background. Experience has taught me to reach the most unchurched kids, I must go to their environment: public schools. The the nets are ready and I am called to toss them out. I get to train many others to join me. We are going to need help if we expect to draw in a catch this big! Will you be fishing with us?

Exhibiting at CPC 2011


In mid-March we traveled to the Children’s Pastor’s Conference (CPC) in San Diego to promote the work of CEAI and Released Time to the 2,000+ childrens’ workers who attended. Forrest presented a workshop called “Growing Your Children’s Ministry through Serving the Public Schools.” Childrens’ pastors, Christian parents and Christian public school teachers can team up to show Christ’s love to the school. This starts with praying for and serving the school staff. We shared how strategic it is to train children to share the gospel with their schoolmates, since children have the most freedom to share at school. We try to network the Christians so adult prayer groups and Christian kids clubs can be started. One of the clubs we encourage these networks to support is the After School Good News Clubs sponsored by Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF).

Monday, February 14, 2011

Teachers-in Murietta-Dare to Dream Big


Ben Wallace, a 4th Grade Teacher in Murrieta, has 60 in his Good News Club. He has had the privilege of leading several children to the Lord. He writes, “Never before have I felt such hope and encouragement! Each day brings new potential for conveying the love of Christ to the students in my classroom.” Ben and Rod Amstutz, a colleague who attended the Daniel Weekend and also teaches a 4th Grade class at the same school, made plans to start a student mentorship program together. They have been able to share the vision with their district superintendent and are praying that once the program is in place, it will receive the backing to be implemented district-wide.

God is moving through teachers who dare to dream BIG and trust Him! Thanks for praying and giving to make this possible.

Teacher-at Glazier-Dares to Dream Big

Susan Casiple, a 3rd Grade Teacher in Norwalk, has seen her Good News Club increase from 30 children to 55! She also started investing in children’s lives through the Lunch Bunch. Lunch Bunch is where Mrs. Casiple takes one lunch per week to have lunch with four students in her class. She is now starting the second round, since setting this goal at the Daniel Weekend.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Teacher-at Webster-Dares to Dream Big


The results have been exciting! Ruth Kouyoumdjian, a kindergarten teacher in Pasadena, has been praying at the flagpole of her school every morning since she attended the Daniel Weekend in October 2010. She has been joined by instructional aids, parents, fellow teachers and students. The After School Good News Club, which she started three years ago, has doubled in size and now includes 19% of the student body.

Daniel Weekend Inspires










Last fall we had two, back to back, Daniel Institute Weekends. The Daniel Institute is a weekend where Christian Educators Association International (CEAI) invited nominated, professional teachers to attend an “all expense paid” weekend to participate in a “Think Tank” experience.

CEAI Staff listened to these teachers struggles, encouraged them to share the dream God had given them and challenged them to develop a plan of action. The time was spent practicing relational skills and looking at the Old Testament character of Daniel. We considered the similarities between Daniel’s situation, living in a foreign culture, and that of the Christian teacher in public schools. Daniel was influential, successful and willing to sacrifice for what he believed. He stayed faithful to God and brought Him glory as an entire nation was transformed. Our facilitators asked, “How could we transform our schools with God’s love and truth?” It was inspiring to consider what God could accomplish if Daniel’s example was followed.

Many teachers have a misunderstanding about about their legal rights and religious
freedoms in the public school. CEAI works to change that, by offering workshops to keep Christian teachers up to date and informed. Most of the time, teachers start with a clear sense of mission but through the years they get discouraged. Our goal as staff was to reignite the passion they had when they began teaching.