Staff Training

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ESBS/CLM staff (minus the Ives family...returning from Uganda today!)

So we are all set for ESBS year 8!  We've had a great time of staff training and we're ready to have our first students arrive tomorrow.  We start classes Monday morning.

We have 7 students, from Colorado, NC, New Zealand, South Carolina and Minnesota.  We're excited to begin the journey through the Bible once again.  Please pray for our students as they begin traveling this way tomorrow.

Praying for Katie and John Francis

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John, Katie and Wren Francis (ESBS staff 2010-11)

On the ESBS front, we are nearing the end of our summer break, and getting closer to the start of our 8th ESBS.  Staff training begins August 12th, students arrive August 18th.

Today I'd like to ask you to join with us in praying for a former ESBS staff member.  Katie Francis, who was one of only 3 staff members we had in 2010-11 is 7 months pregnant with her second child and is experiencing some complications.  Below is an e-mail update from her.

Dear Friends and Family, 

I am writing to give you an update on our little baby girl who is due on Oct 1st. There was some concern that she has a bowel obstruction. 

Yesterday we went to Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Fl, and according to the maternal fetal specialist, our daughter (who we are still in process of naming) has several confirmed bowel obstructions. These obstructions can be caused by several factors, some of which are the following: down syndrome, cystic fibroses, imperforated anus (anal atresia), or Herschsprungs disease. Our doctor felt that there was evidence that our daughter has an imperforated anus, which means that she developed in utero with either no anus, or an anus that is in the wrong place, or there is a membrane covering it. This has caused a back up of fluid (the baby swallows amniotic fluid) which has in turn caused balloons or dilations in her bowel, which, along with the anus problem will have to be corrected immediately. What we are looking at is several possible surgeries within the first 6 months of her life. Within the first few days of her life she will have to  have surgery to either put in a colostomy bag or to correct the rectum and bowel right away. Her dilations are in her large intestines, which we have heard is better than it being in the small intestines. She will be in the NICU for up to a month after her birth, and have to return for more several more surgeries if her issues are more complicated. 

There is also another factor. One of the side effects of bowel obstructions and an imperforated anus is excess amniotic fluid, which means that the baby and me are getting huge!  This can be dangerous because if Katie's water breaks with all the excess amniotic fluid the placenta or the umbilical chord could be flushed down too quickly and this could kill the baby. Katie's life could also be in danger if this happens because it could cause major hemorrhaging. 

All this to say, we are asking for prayer and support at this time. 

Our immediate concerns are that 1) Katie's water doesn't break 2) that we can decide whether or not John should stay in school (his program is really intense and he may be advised to defer a year in light of this situation. 3) If John isn't in school we would consider moving within the next month to a city with a better children's hospital or to Richmond VA, where we lots of family and friends to support us. 

Charlotte Martin is with Jesus

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Jerry and Charlotte Martin

Today Charlotte Martin ended her 16 year battle with Parkinson's disease, and she is now standing in the presence of Father God.

Jerry and Charlotte were the summer camp directors when I first came to Lurecrest as a summer staff employee in 1998.  That same summer Charlotte was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

My life will forever be different because of the ministry of Jerry and Charlotte.  Myself, my wife, and so many of my closest friends are so grateful for their service to the Lord at Lurecrest over the past 16 years.  The Martin legacy at Lurecrest lives on through the ESBS, which would not exist without Jerry's vision and drive to see the program through to what it's become today.

Let's lift up the Martin family as they walk through this difficult time.  My prayer for them today is that the reality of resurrection life would bring comfort as the grieving process begins.

Tom

summer speaking

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Baptist Camp Judson...Black Hills South Dakota

It's summer time, and the ESBS staff are all off resting, support raising and working.  Julia and I just got back from a great week at the beach, and now I'm sitting in the Asheville airport ready to take off to South Dakota for a week of speaking at a summer camp.  Camp Judson, in the black hills SD, is a baptist camp that brings kids from baptist youth groups from all over the state together for a week of fun and seeking God together.  I'm speaking for their high school camp, 11 talks in 7 days plus a whole lot of intentional hanging out in between.

Pray for good ministry time, and rest along the way.  Even though I've been speaking at camps and retreat for the better part of a decade now, I still battle huge nerves at the outset.  I do maintain that it would be easier to speak to zombies than teenagers sometimes.

Funny applicable Bible verse...what God told Ezekiel as he was called to speak to Israel:

" don't be afraid of their words, and don't be dismayed at their looks...." (Ezekiel 2:6)...anyone who has ever gotten "the look" from their teenage kid should memorize this one...:)

Tom

Class of 2013

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class of 2013 staff and students

Our 7th class of ESBS students graduated this past Saturday!  7 years of ESBS, 7 graduates....must be a "God" thing (the number 7 in ancient Hebrew culture symbolized God's sovereign interaction, presence, guidance).  We have definitely felt God's presence with us this year.  It was still a great year, and as much as ever we saw God mold us all together as a family.  These students formed a bond that was as close as any I've seen.  They loved each other so well, and I know lifelong friendships were formed.  I thank God for that...oh yeah, and we learned a little about the Bible/God's character along the way too :)

Currently we have 6 students planning on studying with us this coming fall.  We are solidly in the middle of "application season," and there is continued new interest popping up regularly.  Pray with us that God sends just the right group for August.  We are all excited to start another journey though the Bible!

Summer staffing update: (what everyone is up to)

Caleb...leading worship at Camp Lurecrest
Todd...driving the ski boat for Lurecrest, spending one month in South Dakota with the Hays
Tom...speaking 3 weeks at summer camp, putting a new roof on his house
Ellen...working in Colorado with her family's construction business
Cheryl Anne...program director at Camp Lurecrest

blessings, and thank you all for supporting what God is doing here at the ESBS!  This is a fantastic calling to share together!  It is SO SO valuable!

Tom