Dear friends,
I am packing my suitcase yet again for our trip to NJ and PA from the 11th-21st. We will be meeting with a team from my home church who are planning a short term trip to Ghana this summer. When a group travels with Partners International, they serve and help the receiving ministry in ways our indiginous leaders have identified. Like the team from our church here in Spokane that went to Ghana and helped open the issue of the women accused of witchcraft for the leaders there to deal with head on. I am looking forward to hearing about the plans that are coming together for the team from Grace Church in Ridgewood. They got to meet the ministry leader from Ghana last month when he was in the States for other things.
After our time at Grace Church, we will head to PA. We will have some time with family and then we will see some supporters before heading to the Lancaster area to participate in a missions conference at that church on behalf of Partners International. We will make our way back to NYC to fly out on the 21st. We would appreciate your prayers for safety in travel and that we would be used be the Lord to be a blessing and also good listeners.
I had the neuro-stimulation test done last week on my bladder and IT WORKED!!! It was amazing! My bladder performed perfectly for the 3 days the wire stimulated the nerve going to my bladder. The next step is to go to the hospital to have the permanent one put in which includes a wire with tines to keep it placed, and also a small unit to control it placed under the skin in my low back. The slight electrical pulse I felt was almost unnoticable and was so very worth the relief of a predictable bladder. This will probably be done in April.
On March 25th I am planning to have my left wrist fixed for carpal tunnel. The symptoms are back after the 2nd shot and it only lasted 2 months this time. The shots cannot be done this frequently and my doctor feels that for me the best way to avoid permanent nerve damage is to do the surgery. I had it done on my right wrist and it worked fantastically. And the proceedure only took about 10 minutes. So that is the plan.
The Kidzana Institute last week was wonderful. 13 people participated and all were blessed and encouraged. Many attended less than the whole time, but all felt that the training was practical and were very glad they had come. And Greg and I got to have a few days with Sylvia, the director of Kidzana and her friend staying with us. Sylvia is an amazing person and she and Greg can talk the big global missions picture for hours.She has become a dear friend. Another benefit of the training was developing deeper relationships with other Spokane childrens workers.
Well, I need to finish filling my suitcase. If any of you are in the Ridgewood area, Greg will be preaching this Sunday morning. God bless you! Nancy Fritz nancyfritz@aol.com
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Off to AZ in the morning, and on from there!
Dear friends,
COMINGS AND GOINGS
These have been busy days. Allison has moved to Seattle- 2 weeks ago- and I helped to get her ready to go. She is in an apartment in the University district near Green Lake. I need to visit her and see what it all looks like. She got a nanny job today with a family she really is excited about. They have a 15 month old son and another due next month. Her boyfriend, Tyler, is living south of the city until he leaves for Spain in March to do mission work in Madrid.
Last week Allison's 3 friends from FL and Alabama flew in for 5 days of vacation with her. Tyler was here too and also a friend of theirs who is here in Spokane attending Moody Bible Institute. So it was pretty exciting at our house!
After they all left on Sunday, I remade the bed for Vasantaraj and Mano from India. They work with an amazing ministry in Carola (sp?) on the east coast in Tamilnadu. Mano shared stories this morning in chapel at the office and will be traveling tomorrow to Arizona...and so will Greg and I.
Tomorrow morning many staff members are heading to Scottsdale to get ready for the President's Forum. Our guests will arrive on Thursday when the program will begin. Ken Medema will be our musical guest, Ted Dekker will be speaking and the highlight is hearing from several of our amazing partners. Emmanual is here from Ghana, our house guests from India, and Afeef is coming from North Africa. Their stories of changed lives and communities are amazing. For instance 44 churches were planted in muslim/animistic northern Ghana in 2010! 44! This is hard rocky soil and yet the Gospel is spreading by the grace of God. I will tell you more of their stories after we get back.
We will be returning to Spokane on Sunday. Then next Friday I head to Denver until Tuesday to do a program on China for the 175+ kids in the Bible Blast class that supports us at Cherry Hills Community Church. Then, March 3-5 I am bringing a Kidzana Institute to Spokane. I am recruiting currently, and our goal is to have 20 people take the training. This is the training I did in east Asia in Oct., and it is simply amazing. Having seen it so spot on effective in Oct., I am hoping many will take advantage of doing it here next month.
A little later in March, Greg and I will head to NJ and PA for training and meetings with churches that are connected to Partners. Greg has a new job at Partners International called Church Resources, and is in the midst of figuring out what all that will entail. That trip will last almost 2 weeks. I think I get to be home for a while until we go to Jenni's graduation from Grove City in early May.
Exhale...
HEALTH UPDATE
A few have asked about my health. My bladder is still acting up and muscular control is sluggish at best. We have tried every idea my doctor has (and she is amazing), and we have decided to try one more idea that works well for some people. There is a procedure where a wire which is connected to a device is inserted close to the nerve that goes to the bladder. Like a pacemaker, the device sends impulses to the bladder nerve urging it to contract. First we do a trail, and if that works, a permanent wire is inserted that has tines on it and a small version of the device is placed under the skin. The test run will be on February 28th, and if it works, the permanent one will be put in by the end of March. My insurance has approved trying this- but their permission is only until the end of March.
I am doing a health coach program through my doctor's office to help me learn how to eat more healthy and heal my intestines. A test that we did last year showed that I have a leaky gut, my food doesn't digest well at all, and there is a great deal of inflammation. Now with a glycemic (sp?)index diet, I am eating healthy food every 2- 3 hours during the day and am taking extra protein that absorbs right into my system also. I am accountable for what I am eating and for exercise. Anyway, I go see her every 2 weeks and she gives me feedback on how I am doing and answers my questions. The goal is to change habits forever. With my cancer history, this is going to give me much more of a fighting chance.
My right knee got pulled when I was working out at the gym, but I am sure that will be feeling better soon. I finished my physical therapy with Barb who was helping me get rid of the scar tissue I had from radiation on my left side. I learned how to do massage myself too. I also got another shot in my left wrist which was having lots of carpal tunnel problems again. There is a small chance the shot this time will work longer than the 2 1/2 months the last shot worked. If it comes back, I will probably get it fixed. That worked well on my right wrist. A ten minute surgery and great results.
So, I hope that is enough of an update to give you an idea. I am approaching my 12th and 5th anniversaries of my breast cancers, and continue to be grateful for every day the Lord gives me! I talked to our friend in East Asia and they want us to come back this fall and do phase 2 of the Kidzana training. (Greg thinks he should come with me!) I need to check out this possibility after I get back from AZ.
Well, I am going to sign off and go eat a salad!
God bless you- Nancy
COMINGS AND GOINGS
These have been busy days. Allison has moved to Seattle- 2 weeks ago- and I helped to get her ready to go. She is in an apartment in the University district near Green Lake. I need to visit her and see what it all looks like. She got a nanny job today with a family she really is excited about. They have a 15 month old son and another due next month. Her boyfriend, Tyler, is living south of the city until he leaves for Spain in March to do mission work in Madrid.
Last week Allison's 3 friends from FL and Alabama flew in for 5 days of vacation with her. Tyler was here too and also a friend of theirs who is here in Spokane attending Moody Bible Institute. So it was pretty exciting at our house!
After they all left on Sunday, I remade the bed for Vasantaraj and Mano from India. They work with an amazing ministry in Carola (sp?) on the east coast in Tamilnadu. Mano shared stories this morning in chapel at the office and will be traveling tomorrow to Arizona...and so will Greg and I.
Tomorrow morning many staff members are heading to Scottsdale to get ready for the President's Forum. Our guests will arrive on Thursday when the program will begin. Ken Medema will be our musical guest, Ted Dekker will be speaking and the highlight is hearing from several of our amazing partners. Emmanual is here from Ghana, our house guests from India, and Afeef is coming from North Africa. Their stories of changed lives and communities are amazing. For instance 44 churches were planted in muslim/animistic northern Ghana in 2010! 44! This is hard rocky soil and yet the Gospel is spreading by the grace of God. I will tell you more of their stories after we get back.
We will be returning to Spokane on Sunday. Then next Friday I head to Denver until Tuesday to do a program on China for the 175+ kids in the Bible Blast class that supports us at Cherry Hills Community Church. Then, March 3-5 I am bringing a Kidzana Institute to Spokane. I am recruiting currently, and our goal is to have 20 people take the training. This is the training I did in east Asia in Oct., and it is simply amazing. Having seen it so spot on effective in Oct., I am hoping many will take advantage of doing it here next month.
A little later in March, Greg and I will head to NJ and PA for training and meetings with churches that are connected to Partners. Greg has a new job at Partners International called Church Resources, and is in the midst of figuring out what all that will entail. That trip will last almost 2 weeks. I think I get to be home for a while until we go to Jenni's graduation from Grove City in early May.
Exhale...
HEALTH UPDATE
A few have asked about my health. My bladder is still acting up and muscular control is sluggish at best. We have tried every idea my doctor has (and she is amazing), and we have decided to try one more idea that works well for some people. There is a procedure where a wire which is connected to a device is inserted close to the nerve that goes to the bladder. Like a pacemaker, the device sends impulses to the bladder nerve urging it to contract. First we do a trail, and if that works, a permanent wire is inserted that has tines on it and a small version of the device is placed under the skin. The test run will be on February 28th, and if it works, the permanent one will be put in by the end of March. My insurance has approved trying this- but their permission is only until the end of March.
I am doing a health coach program through my doctor's office to help me learn how to eat more healthy and heal my intestines. A test that we did last year showed that I have a leaky gut, my food doesn't digest well at all, and there is a great deal of inflammation. Now with a glycemic (sp?)index diet, I am eating healthy food every 2- 3 hours during the day and am taking extra protein that absorbs right into my system also. I am accountable for what I am eating and for exercise. Anyway, I go see her every 2 weeks and she gives me feedback on how I am doing and answers my questions. The goal is to change habits forever. With my cancer history, this is going to give me much more of a fighting chance.
My right knee got pulled when I was working out at the gym, but I am sure that will be feeling better soon. I finished my physical therapy with Barb who was helping me get rid of the scar tissue I had from radiation on my left side. I learned how to do massage myself too. I also got another shot in my left wrist which was having lots of carpal tunnel problems again. There is a small chance the shot this time will work longer than the 2 1/2 months the last shot worked. If it comes back, I will probably get it fixed. That worked well on my right wrist. A ten minute surgery and great results.
So, I hope that is enough of an update to give you an idea. I am approaching my 12th and 5th anniversaries of my breast cancers, and continue to be grateful for every day the Lord gives me! I talked to our friend in East Asia and they want us to come back this fall and do phase 2 of the Kidzana training. (Greg thinks he should come with me!) I need to check out this possibility after I get back from AZ.
Well, I am going to sign off and go eat a salad!
God bless you- Nancy
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Thanks for praying
Hello there!
Yesterday I went to the doctor and learned that the pain in my left lung area was bruised muscles between my ribs from all the coughing. My lungs are clear and what I have is viral. I also got a cough medicine for night time which enabled great sleep last night after many nights of coughing. This is going around and I will be fine. The fever is gone and I am feeling a little better today. Thank you for praying.
God Bless,
Nancy
Yesterday I went to the doctor and learned that the pain in my left lung area was bruised muscles between my ribs from all the coughing. My lungs are clear and what I have is viral. I also got a cough medicine for night time which enabled great sleep last night after many nights of coughing. This is going around and I will be fine. The fever is gone and I am feeling a little better today. Thank you for praying.
God Bless,
Nancy
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Would appreciate prayers
Dear friends,
Last Tues. morning I had bout of acid reflux which seemed to burn my throat. The next day I started a dry cough. I didn't do all my cold remedies since I thought it was just because my throat was raw. It is now Sunday eve and I have a horrible cough and my right chest is hurting and I have a 101 fever. I missed church today and slept the whole day away. I will call the doctor tomorrow and see what he says. Greg is teaching Perspectives tomorrow night and I am supposed to help with the World View Demo. Pray we would get me on the mend and I would be able to sleep in between all the coughing.
I will let you know...
Blessings-
Nancy
Last Tues. morning I had bout of acid reflux which seemed to burn my throat. The next day I started a dry cough. I didn't do all my cold remedies since I thought it was just because my throat was raw. It is now Sunday eve and I have a horrible cough and my right chest is hurting and I have a 101 fever. I missed church today and slept the whole day away. I will call the doctor tomorrow and see what he says. Greg is teaching Perspectives tomorrow night and I am supposed to help with the World View Demo. Pray we would get me on the mend and I would be able to sleep in between all the coughing.
I will let you know...
Blessings-
Nancy
Friday, January 07, 2011
Out with the old, in with the new...car, washer & dryer...
A family Christmas picture and one of Charlie- the dog we dogsat for Jesse's Army buddy. And comparing who is the fattest after a big holiday dinner!
A NEW CAR
Jenni got in on time and the next day she and Jesse helped us buy a new car to replace our 2001 Mazda MPV we had named Seabiscuit- small but lots of umph. By 8 p.m. on the 23rd we ended up with a 4 door, red, 2008, Toyota Yaris. It is in excellent condition and handles in the snow like it has 4 wheel drive. It has all weather tires and is certified, so that means we have the warranty to 100,000 miles or 5 years. The family felt that a smaller car was better for me since most of the time I don't need the small van. This one gets 40 mpg. It has a big trunk for my stuff, and it seems to be growing on me. Of course everyone wants to drive it!
ALLISON IN THE ER
Allison's car is in the shop, so she is taking mine tomorrow when she goes again to Seattle for another nanny interview. Jenni is going with her. The night before last, Allison broke out in hives and Jenni and I ended up taking her to the ER, concerned that she would stop breathing. The swollen spot on her elbow where it started looked to us like it might be a spider bite, so we didn't want to take any chances. We got there at 10:15p.m. and left at 1:15. The doctor took one look at her and said she was allergic to the antibiotic she had finished 24 hours earlier for a dental issue. We need to confirm which type she had been on, but suspect she is allergic to the pennicilyn type. She is on benedryl and steroids for now and is having fresh hives still breaking out today. The swelling on her eyes looks better today and she knows not to itch. Please pray for her reaction to end and for her interview tomorrow. She needs to find a place to live in Seattle with roommates also. All the jobs are there and none are in Spokane. We are grateful that at least she will be only 5 hours away.
THE DRYER
About the time we were thinking about taking Allison to the ER, our neighbor who is an appliance repairman, was here checking our dryer. He told us it was tentative. Well, yesterday it kicked the bucket. Last night Jenni and I went to a few places and ended up at Sears buying a washer/dryer set- the energy star kind. We will use the old washer in a rentals eventually. So when it rains it pours, huh?
BREAST CANCER
With a heading like that I will start by saying that I am OK and don't have any cancer in my body that I know of. I had a cystoscopy procedure right before Christmas to check my bladder and there were no leasions there. My bladder lining actually looks less raw than last year. There is now scar tissue in there- probably from extending it last year with 500 or so ml of saline to stimulate healing. I still have my intersticial cystitis symptoms. I am achy since I stopped taking naproxin for muscular and joint pain from other meds. It was causing me to gain weight. Since I stopped taking it, my weight is coming back down. I am also on an accountability program with my doctor for diet and exercize which I began yesterday.
I got a call last weekend from Lois from my church. She had listened to my talk about the 10 blessings of breast cancer in October right after I got back from Ch!na. She said it touched her deeply and she went home and checked herself. And she found something. It was cancer and she had a lumpectomy on Wednesday this week and wanted to thank me that what I had shared had given her peace about her own situaition. I am honored and humbled that what I shared made a difference for someone in such a personal way. I thought it would be good to share my basic outline for you all here. Of course there are details left out, but I think this will give you the idea. I have a strong urge to share this with you today. I have a lot to do, but needed to do this first.
The 10 Blessings of Breast Cancer
By Nancy Fritz © 10/2010
1. Save on shampoo and TIME!
2. Fun Times! (Picking out wigs, etc.)
3. Gaining a deeper appreciation for the days I am given by the Lord. (It isn’t pancreatic cancer and can be
removed!)
Ephesians 5:15
Be very careful then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
4. Learning that the right question to ask is not, “Why me?” but, “Why NOT me?”
As a believer in Almighty God, I have the resourses of my relationship with Him to help me through- an advantage and blessing that those without Him face these hard times without. I know where I am going when I die, so even the worst case senarieo doesn't scare me. I am looking forward to it!
Matt 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, for I have overcome the world.
Phil. 3:10 I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
2 Corinthians 1:5-6
For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if you are comforted it is for your comfort which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.
5. Earning my membership in a sisterhood that was not sought, but is an amazing privilege!
6. I learned how to be on the receiving end of ministry by the Body of Christ.
7. I got to be a witness to all the professionals and other patients I encountered. Oncologist, nurses, radiation oncologist, pharmacists, blood draw people, other patients, surgeons, radiation technicians, etc…
8. I learned how to give back later and become a blessing to others by sharing my experiences.
Life went/goes on! www.nancyupdate.blogspot.com
9. Learned firsthand about God’s Grace Bank...
A relationship with Him gives you an account.
He has unlimited resources of grace there.
He knows your circumstances intimately.
He will give you grace
It is given when you need it- never early.
Minute by minute, second by second, and day by day.
How much you need- never any extra.
Like manna, it isn’t meant to be stored.
He is totally worthy of trust and is faithful with His love and grace.
2 Corinthians 12:9
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
10. I learned what to do (and not to do) to minister to someone with breast cancer.
You never know what to say when someone says, “So, you’re cured!?”
A counselor asked me, “It is like there is a murderer in your back yard and he could come inside at any time. How are you handling that?” The only way to know that your breast cancer isn’t going to come back and kill you is if you die of something else first. It is a process. Some days I think about it, some days I don’t.
So ask how she’s doing or if she’s had any recent test results. (5 years clear means little. My recurrance was at 7 years and I have heard stories like mine often. 5 years of survival is something to celebrate- 5 years and you are still alive! It just doesn't mean you are guaranteed no further cancer.)
Ask, “How often are you seeing your doctor these days?”
Let her share about how she feels without trying to fix her. Give her a chance to be honest. I know some people wouldn't understand the ongoing vigilence, so I don't go into details with them. Every time I have a test, the possibility of bad news is very real. Most people who know me don't have a clue about those times.
If in treatment, ask what you can do to help…
Meals if there is a family to feed.
Rides to treatments. (Chemo might take most of a day)
Care for children if this is a need.
Listen to children share their heart in a safe place.
Coupons for restaurants
Coupons to health food grocers to get supplements
Finances if insurance isn’t enough
Go to Dr. apts. to listen w/ extra ears
Fun things she might not get to do normally, like movie coupons for a date night if she is married…
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Almost Christmas
Dear friends,
It is getting close to Christmas and the family is making their way home. Jesse got home last Friday. On Saturday Charlie came. Charlie is the dog of Jesse's friend. He is a wonderful and well behaved dog. His owners have gone to visit their dad/husband who is stationed on the western side of the state and is not allowed to leave. Charlie is here for 10 days and our kids are calling him a Christmas miracle for our family.
Allison bega her journey to Spokane from Ft. Lauderdale on Thurday with Tyler. Tyler is her boyfriend. They drove to Durango, CO, stayed for a while with friends there, and then drove here. They arrived about 11 p.m. on Sunday night. Smooth sailing the whole way. We are enjoying getting to know Tyler- and he is getting to know us!
Allison and Tyler went to Seattle yesterday and stayed with his extended family. She had a job interview today at 2:00 with a high end nanny placement company, and she went to meet a family for a possible nanny job right after that. I haven't heard yet how that went. They will come back here tomorrow.
Laura got home on Tuesday late afternoon after 25 hours of travel from Bradford, England. She traveled from Bradford through Amsterdam, to Detroit, to Batimore, to Salt Lake City, to Spokane. And she arrived only one hour late. Airports closed and opened all around her arrivals and departures, but her flights were on time. She is getting over jet lag, but has managed to stay awake until 8 tonight. She and I did errands today and noticed something wrong with the car. We were able to get to the garage to get it fixed and caght a ride home with Greg. I leave in a few minutes to get Jenni.
So with Charlie, Tyler and Adjua added to our 6, we have a happy 9 for Christmas. My brother Paul, Madelyn, Alex and Kim are coming Monday for a few days too. They leave on Thursday and Thursday night Heng Hua, our friend from Taiwan who is living in San Jose, will come for a few days. Laura leaves on the 31st from here to Baltimore, and then from Baltimore to Bethlehem, Israel for the 1st half of the year.
More later... Jesse and I are off to the airport for Jenni. Sorry for the gap between postings. Angel tree and other responsibilities were running rampant across my path! Blessings- Nancy
It is getting close to Christmas and the family is making their way home. Jesse got home last Friday. On Saturday Charlie came. Charlie is the dog of Jesse's friend. He is a wonderful and well behaved dog. His owners have gone to visit their dad/husband who is stationed on the western side of the state and is not allowed to leave. Charlie is here for 10 days and our kids are calling him a Christmas miracle for our family.
Allison bega her journey to Spokane from Ft. Lauderdale on Thurday with Tyler. Tyler is her boyfriend. They drove to Durango, CO, stayed for a while with friends there, and then drove here. They arrived about 11 p.m. on Sunday night. Smooth sailing the whole way. We are enjoying getting to know Tyler- and he is getting to know us!
Allison and Tyler went to Seattle yesterday and stayed with his extended family. She had a job interview today at 2:00 with a high end nanny placement company, and she went to meet a family for a possible nanny job right after that. I haven't heard yet how that went. They will come back here tomorrow.
Laura got home on Tuesday late afternoon after 25 hours of travel from Bradford, England. She traveled from Bradford through Amsterdam, to Detroit, to Batimore, to Salt Lake City, to Spokane. And she arrived only one hour late. Airports closed and opened all around her arrivals and departures, but her flights were on time. She is getting over jet lag, but has managed to stay awake until 8 tonight. She and I did errands today and noticed something wrong with the car. We were able to get to the garage to get it fixed and caght a ride home with Greg. I leave in a few minutes to get Jenni.
So with Charlie, Tyler and Adjua added to our 6, we have a happy 9 for Christmas. My brother Paul, Madelyn, Alex and Kim are coming Monday for a few days too. They leave on Thursday and Thursday night Heng Hua, our friend from Taiwan who is living in San Jose, will come for a few days. Laura leaves on the 31st from here to Baltimore, and then from Baltimore to Bethlehem, Israel for the 1st half of the year.
More later... Jesse and I are off to the airport for Jenni. Sorry for the gap between postings. Angel tree and other responsibilities were running rampant across my path! Blessings- Nancy
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
My trip to East Asia
Dear friends,
I will share with you about my trip, and how your prayers have been answered. It was an amazing trip in every way. So I will pick up where I left off at the San Francisco Airport...
FRIDAY
My flight to my destination was fine. I got up and walked a lot during the flight to avoid blood clots in my legs. When I got there I was met by M. who took me to my hotel to drop off my luggage, and then to eat an early dinner. She was delightful. That week was a week long national holiday similar to the 4th of July. She was amazed at the few people walking on the street. Almost everyone gets the week off and goes out to the country. It turns out that the people from this city were traveling to another location and those coming here hadn't arrived yet.
I started to learn about ordering Chinese food and didn't try a thing I didn't like. She kept me awake until 7 and I went to bed early so I could get over jet lag.
SATURDAY
Kimberle arrived in the early morning and was up for b-fast at 7:30 looking like a model! We ate and then went out exploring. We walked to the subway and had an adventure. A girl from England named Laura helped us learn how to get tickets, etc.
At 2:00 we met with our 2 training hosts. We shared our schedule and materials and made specific plans for starting times and extra topics to integrate. We all clicked well and then we had a time of prayer. We had this meeting in our hotel room so that we would not be overheard.
SUNDAY
We were free until 4:00 and were asked not to go to church that morning. We didn't want to get on anyone's radar. So we took a taxi and went to the Summer Palace. It was at 10:00 that morning that we figured out that everyone heading to our city for holiday had arrived- and they were ALL at the Summer Palace! We enjoyed seeing the beautiful buildings, but the people-watching was even better. So many pampered children! And we didn't see even one pregnant woman! M. told us later that they are extremely careful when pregnant and don't go out much. Doing some sight seeing was a good idea so we could be noticed doing it.
We went to a restaurant and met our students. We ate in a large back room with the doors closed. The 25 of them came from 6 areas of the country, some having traveled for 14 hours by train, and almost half of them were from our city. This was a meal to remember! Meat balls, pepper beef, egg plant, 9 other amazing dishes and then my favorite, sesame balls! They were soooo good! And all of it with chop sticks! The lazy susan went round and round slowly while we ate off the various plates. They each introduced themselves and Kimberle and I did the same. They shared what they hoped to get out of the training and I took notes. We went back to our hotel and reviewed our plan for the next morning.
MONDAY
Our training was being held at a small hotel that was mostly filled with the students from our training. Kimberle and I were staying at a different hotel where foreigners were allowed. There are only some hotels that are designated that way. We learned that we would probably be fine if we stayed in the back of the hotel and didn't draw attention to ourselves. We were in the training room or in one of the hotel bedrooms all day for those 3 days. If someone had complained about us, the manager would have had to call the police. So as long as we kept a low profile, we were OK. We had a plan of which page to open to if anyone came in to question us. There were just educational principals and nothing about the Bible on that page.
This is where the rubber met the road. Kimberle and I took turns presenting. We covered topics like "essentials for effective ministry to children," "the ministry of a teacher", "What children need in order to learn best", "motivating children to learn" and "techniques of teaching a memory verse". We had them out of their seats frequently as we taught them and they then practiced what they had learned. They played Bible memory verse games and got the idea that we have to teach the LIVING Word of God, not kill it by teaching it badly or in a boring way. We left them to present Bible memory verses to each other using the techniques we taught them. We heard the next morning that they laughed until they cried, it was all so funny and fun. They did a great job.
Kimberle and I went back to our hotel and worked together until 10:00p.m. getting ready for the next day. Then I was up until midnight going over lessons I had never taught before. I was excited at what the Lord showed me in those hours of preparation. I had prepared at home, but had a much better understanding once I had watched Kimberle teach, of how to make my lessons better.
TUESDAY
Kimberle and I taxied over to the other hotel and were ready to start at 8:00. I taught about children in the Bible and what God says about them. At the end of that we were looking at each other humbled and with tears in our eyes, some crying, as the impact of the Word soaked in. It was a powerful Holy Spirit moment. Then we prayed- our translator repeated it for us. What touching prayers asking for forgiveness for how we haven't loved the children who are difficult, but have seen them as problems. They asked the Lord to see them as He sees them, as valuable and precious in His sight. I know the Lord worked in my heart, too.
Kimberle and I did a demo Bible lesson for them, and then described the parts of an effective Bible lesson. Then we had THEM write their own! They worked in the groups from their same ministries and got very creative. Each group came up and presented and again it was translated for us. They did an amazing job! I taught my lesson on using object lessons and felt like I hadn't done the best job because it seemed a little confusing in places. Then we sent them off to make one up in 5 minutes and they came back with the best ones ever! Kimberle pointed out to me that the goal is them learning, not us presenting perfectly. And by the ones they demonstrated, they absolutely got the concept. So again, to God be the glory!
We also had them get together in their groups and do a community assessment. This is a picture of the life of children touched by their ministries. These were excellent! They shared them with each other and I took pictures of them. They showed the things that are tempting or harmful in their community and what they were doing to provide help for the children. Kimberle and I went back again to our hotel to prepare for the next and last day. We were told to bring our luggage with us in the morning since it was time to switch hotels. The PI director there didn't want us staying too long in one spot.
WEDNESDAY
Kimberle talked about communication including some very convincing drama by yours truly, Kimberle and some of our students... They got a session on networking that Kimberle had never taught before. They have already been working on their network since the training! We taught them how to involve children practically in the Bible story (again with some fun drama), and how to do Gospel presentations with children- maybe a dozen ways.
One of my favorites was Kimberle having one of our students who is an artist draw a picture on a while paper bag. It was beautiful. Then she filled it with candy and we went in the courtyard and had a pinata. Blindfold, candy and everything. They were allowed to hit it 3 times each. After it was done and the candy flew, they picked up the candy and immediately began to offer it to each other! Kimberle held up the torn bag that had been so perfect, and compared it to Christ who was beaten for our sins. Wow. It was a powerful way to share the Gospel.
Then Kimberle talked about counseling a child for salvation and I taught on discipleship- another new topic for me. I had stayed up late once again the night before fine tuning my lesson. Kimberle said I did an excellent job- the best she has ever seen, and she has done these trainings overseas over 30 times! So there is another example of God coming through BIG TIME! Then we blitzed them with many classroom activities and drama ideas for getting kids involved in the lesson. We gave them a one year lesson guide and ended with testimonies.
The entire 3 days we had been giving them objects to place in a plastic bag to remind them of the principals we were teaching them. Glow in the dark stars to remind them that the Lord will shine His light through them to their students, a cotton ball to remind them that God even looks for the one lost sheep, and MANY others ended up in their zip lock bag, which itself also represented ministry to a child.
Kimberle lit a re-lightable candle for the testimony time and used it to communicate that even when we feel burned out, the Holy Spirit is there to re-light the flame of passion for teaching kids well. They gasped! They had never seen such a thing! We laughed later because the package said, "Made in China."
Their testimonies were so encouraging. Over and over again, they said they learned that God's love for children is the thing that needs to underlie their teaching. They loved using what they learned right away, so they would know how to do it when they got home. They were excited to know how to write their own Bible Lesson curriculum and want to share what they come up with with each other. Their questions were all answered. They were amazed the Kimberle and I worked together so well since we had never worked together before.
The PI director was outside the room listening to the testimonies at the end. K. and I sat and had translation for that part. What a privilege to be there and to see the Lord move in such a huge way! There is more material to teach them, but we will have to wait and see what they do with what they have learned. So far we have heard that they ARE using it and have been teaching others- and networking. Yahoo! I tentatively asked Kimberle if she would ever consider doing this with me again and she said, "In a nano!" (Nano-second) I almost cried, that made me so happy! Maybe we will get to go again and do phase 2 with these folks and do phase 1 in a different region of the country. Kimberle and I are both game!
So this was the teachng part of my trip. Wednesday night Greg arrived back in the city from Indonesia and we moved to the hotel with the round beds. I will write about that next time. I am currently unable to put pictures on this blog, but I have posted some on facebook that are accessable by anyone. I will post the address as soon as I can put my finger on it. I will be adding more pictures to it anyway.
Blessings- Nancy Fritz
I will share with you about my trip, and how your prayers have been answered. It was an amazing trip in every way. So I will pick up where I left off at the San Francisco Airport...
FRIDAY
My flight to my destination was fine. I got up and walked a lot during the flight to avoid blood clots in my legs. When I got there I was met by M. who took me to my hotel to drop off my luggage, and then to eat an early dinner. She was delightful. That week was a week long national holiday similar to the 4th of July. She was amazed at the few people walking on the street. Almost everyone gets the week off and goes out to the country. It turns out that the people from this city were traveling to another location and those coming here hadn't arrived yet.
I started to learn about ordering Chinese food and didn't try a thing I didn't like. She kept me awake until 7 and I went to bed early so I could get over jet lag.
SATURDAY
Kimberle arrived in the early morning and was up for b-fast at 7:30 looking like a model! We ate and then went out exploring. We walked to the subway and had an adventure. A girl from England named Laura helped us learn how to get tickets, etc.
At 2:00 we met with our 2 training hosts. We shared our schedule and materials and made specific plans for starting times and extra topics to integrate. We all clicked well and then we had a time of prayer. We had this meeting in our hotel room so that we would not be overheard.
SUNDAY
We were free until 4:00 and were asked not to go to church that morning. We didn't want to get on anyone's radar. So we took a taxi and went to the Summer Palace. It was at 10:00 that morning that we figured out that everyone heading to our city for holiday had arrived- and they were ALL at the Summer Palace! We enjoyed seeing the beautiful buildings, but the people-watching was even better. So many pampered children! And we didn't see even one pregnant woman! M. told us later that they are extremely careful when pregnant and don't go out much. Doing some sight seeing was a good idea so we could be noticed doing it.
We went to a restaurant and met our students. We ate in a large back room with the doors closed. The 25 of them came from 6 areas of the country, some having traveled for 14 hours by train, and almost half of them were from our city. This was a meal to remember! Meat balls, pepper beef, egg plant, 9 other amazing dishes and then my favorite, sesame balls! They were soooo good! And all of it with chop sticks! The lazy susan went round and round slowly while we ate off the various plates. They each introduced themselves and Kimberle and I did the same. They shared what they hoped to get out of the training and I took notes. We went back to our hotel and reviewed our plan for the next morning.
MONDAY
Our training was being held at a small hotel that was mostly filled with the students from our training. Kimberle and I were staying at a different hotel where foreigners were allowed. There are only some hotels that are designated that way. We learned that we would probably be fine if we stayed in the back of the hotel and didn't draw attention to ourselves. We were in the training room or in one of the hotel bedrooms all day for those 3 days. If someone had complained about us, the manager would have had to call the police. So as long as we kept a low profile, we were OK. We had a plan of which page to open to if anyone came in to question us. There were just educational principals and nothing about the Bible on that page.
This is where the rubber met the road. Kimberle and I took turns presenting. We covered topics like "essentials for effective ministry to children," "the ministry of a teacher", "What children need in order to learn best", "motivating children to learn" and "techniques of teaching a memory verse". We had them out of their seats frequently as we taught them and they then practiced what they had learned. They played Bible memory verse games and got the idea that we have to teach the LIVING Word of God, not kill it by teaching it badly or in a boring way. We left them to present Bible memory verses to each other using the techniques we taught them. We heard the next morning that they laughed until they cried, it was all so funny and fun. They did a great job.
Kimberle and I went back to our hotel and worked together until 10:00p.m. getting ready for the next day. Then I was up until midnight going over lessons I had never taught before. I was excited at what the Lord showed me in those hours of preparation. I had prepared at home, but had a much better understanding once I had watched Kimberle teach, of how to make my lessons better.
TUESDAY
Kimberle and I taxied over to the other hotel and were ready to start at 8:00. I taught about children in the Bible and what God says about them. At the end of that we were looking at each other humbled and with tears in our eyes, some crying, as the impact of the Word soaked in. It was a powerful Holy Spirit moment. Then we prayed- our translator repeated it for us. What touching prayers asking for forgiveness for how we haven't loved the children who are difficult, but have seen them as problems. They asked the Lord to see them as He sees them, as valuable and precious in His sight. I know the Lord worked in my heart, too.
Kimberle and I did a demo Bible lesson for them, and then described the parts of an effective Bible lesson. Then we had THEM write their own! They worked in the groups from their same ministries and got very creative. Each group came up and presented and again it was translated for us. They did an amazing job! I taught my lesson on using object lessons and felt like I hadn't done the best job because it seemed a little confusing in places. Then we sent them off to make one up in 5 minutes and they came back with the best ones ever! Kimberle pointed out to me that the goal is them learning, not us presenting perfectly. And by the ones they demonstrated, they absolutely got the concept. So again, to God be the glory!
We also had them get together in their groups and do a community assessment. This is a picture of the life of children touched by their ministries. These were excellent! They shared them with each other and I took pictures of them. They showed the things that are tempting or harmful in their community and what they were doing to provide help for the children. Kimberle and I went back again to our hotel to prepare for the next and last day. We were told to bring our luggage with us in the morning since it was time to switch hotels. The PI director there didn't want us staying too long in one spot.
WEDNESDAY
Kimberle talked about communication including some very convincing drama by yours truly, Kimberle and some of our students... They got a session on networking that Kimberle had never taught before. They have already been working on their network since the training! We taught them how to involve children practically in the Bible story (again with some fun drama), and how to do Gospel presentations with children- maybe a dozen ways.
One of my favorites was Kimberle having one of our students who is an artist draw a picture on a while paper bag. It was beautiful. Then she filled it with candy and we went in the courtyard and had a pinata. Blindfold, candy and everything. They were allowed to hit it 3 times each. After it was done and the candy flew, they picked up the candy and immediately began to offer it to each other! Kimberle held up the torn bag that had been so perfect, and compared it to Christ who was beaten for our sins. Wow. It was a powerful way to share the Gospel.
Then Kimberle talked about counseling a child for salvation and I taught on discipleship- another new topic for me. I had stayed up late once again the night before fine tuning my lesson. Kimberle said I did an excellent job- the best she has ever seen, and she has done these trainings overseas over 30 times! So there is another example of God coming through BIG TIME! Then we blitzed them with many classroom activities and drama ideas for getting kids involved in the lesson. We gave them a one year lesson guide and ended with testimonies.
The entire 3 days we had been giving them objects to place in a plastic bag to remind them of the principals we were teaching them. Glow in the dark stars to remind them that the Lord will shine His light through them to their students, a cotton ball to remind them that God even looks for the one lost sheep, and MANY others ended up in their zip lock bag, which itself also represented ministry to a child.
Kimberle lit a re-lightable candle for the testimony time and used it to communicate that even when we feel burned out, the Holy Spirit is there to re-light the flame of passion for teaching kids well. They gasped! They had never seen such a thing! We laughed later because the package said, "Made in China."
Their testimonies were so encouraging. Over and over again, they said they learned that God's love for children is the thing that needs to underlie their teaching. They loved using what they learned right away, so they would know how to do it when they got home. They were excited to know how to write their own Bible Lesson curriculum and want to share what they come up with with each other. Their questions were all answered. They were amazed the Kimberle and I worked together so well since we had never worked together before.
The PI director was outside the room listening to the testimonies at the end. K. and I sat and had translation for that part. What a privilege to be there and to see the Lord move in such a huge way! There is more material to teach them, but we will have to wait and see what they do with what they have learned. So far we have heard that they ARE using it and have been teaching others- and networking. Yahoo! I tentatively asked Kimberle if she would ever consider doing this with me again and she said, "In a nano!" (Nano-second) I almost cried, that made me so happy! Maybe we will get to go again and do phase 2 with these folks and do phase 1 in a different region of the country. Kimberle and I are both game!
So this was the teachng part of my trip. Wednesday night Greg arrived back in the city from Indonesia and we moved to the hotel with the round beds. I will write about that next time. I am currently unable to put pictures on this blog, but I have posted some on facebook that are accessable by anyone. I will post the address as soon as I can put my finger on it. I will be adding more pictures to it anyway.
Blessings- Nancy Fritz
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