Barner Christian Academy

August Newsletter

Volume 18, No. 8

Boy praying

MANY BLC STUDENTS LEARN HOW TO PRAY AND BRING THIS ABILITY HOME TO TEACH THEIR FAMILIES!


COMMUNICATION BRIDGES

“You FAIL! … for now.”

It should not have come as a surprise that the university faculty denied my submission for the comprehensive report at Ateneo. I had come on too strongly, as I feel very deeply that my topic is crucial for peace in Mindanao. My thesis was that an Age of Empowerment would result if everyone was presented with the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. This “Salvation Paradigm” presentation was to be my last requirement before the Master’s thesis in my graduate studies. It was crucial that I do well. I thus spent the next few days with the profs for clarification.

“As a sociologist, you are not to be prescriptive. Your job is not to solve problems but to identify what they are.” A priest also gave me some wise advice. “Paul, there is a time for everything. Later you can put on the “surgeon hat”. Now you are wearing the “sociologist hat”. The research comes first and the solutions later. When Jesus hung on the cross, he did not suddenly jump down and say, “Wait a minute, I just saw someone I need to preach to before I die!” Likewise, pace yourself.”

Over the next 24 hours I re-structured my approach using “Communication Bridges” as my hermeneutical key. The presentation met with thunderous applause and cheers by those very same instructors who had snubbed my presentation just 3 days before! The key seems to be, not in just knowing what to say, but in how you say it!

BLC PARENTS RUN 4 USED SEWING MACHINES THAT WERE SHIPPED TO BLC TO MAKE THEIR CHILDREN’S SCHOOL UNIFORMS IN OUR NEW HOME ECONOMICS BUILDING.
Two women working at sewing machines

BLC KID HOTLINE

Your sponsored child at Barner Learning Center would love to hear from you! If you’d like to communicate with him/her by email, please send any messages to:


FOLLOWING JESUS MAKES “SENSE”!

“Students, with which of your five senses do you HEAR?”

400 kids and parents who were gathered in the BLC gym for our annual Nutrition Festival called out, “EARS!” Going through our senses one by one, I showed how we use our whole body to serve Jesus. The children then joined me with one musical voice, singing the chorus, “Oh be careful little eyes what you see…”. The story of the Prophet Samuel, when he was called as a boy to serve God, reminded us that we are to not only take care of our bodies by eating right & exercising, but also to take good care of our souls!

Singers performing onstage
EACH SUNDAY A DIFFERENT GROUP (OF 6) ALTERNATES TO SET UP CHAIRS, DECORATE & SING AS A MINI-CHOIR AT FAITH FELLOWSHIP CHURCH.

DO YOU HAVE A SUMMER PROJECT?

THESE ARE NEEDS THAT WE HAVE TO SUPPLY FOR OUR 2006 BLC CONSTRUCTION:
  • 42 F1 Bulb Sets: $4 each
  • 41 Desks: $11 each
  • Jeepney-bus: $9,412
  • 82 Chairs: $6 each
  • Tools for LArts: $169
  • 20 Cafe Tables: $28 each
  • Tables for L.Arts: $650
  • MusicShelves: $204

A GLORIOUS DECADE

“Pastor Paul, we have a surprise for you!”

A dozen fourth graders were standing outside my BLC office door, in the library. “Since it is your tenth wedding anniversary, we made a song for you! Happy anniversary to you…” How sweet, that these kids showed their kindness. I gave them each a little treat as they left back to their classroom. That was only the beginning! Throughout the day, group after group came to my door & graced me with handmade cards, songs and artwork. Praise God for this wonderful decade with the woman of my dreams!


Children pinning tail on paper ox
ON PJ’S 9TH BIRTHDAY, 289 BLC KIDS TRY TO “PIN THE TAIL ON THE CARABAO”. ABIGAIL IS ONE OF THE FEW SUCCESSFUL ONES!

YOU KNOW YOU ARE A FILIPINO IF...
You can still buy a full meal at McDonalds
And get change back from your dollar.

BLC ENERGY FUND:

EVERY DAY AT BARNER LEARNING CENTER, WE SUPPLY TRANSPORTATION FOR 290 STUDENTS. OUR BUSSES WERE BOUGHT WITH FUNDS SACRIFICIALLY & GENEROUSLY GIVEN BY FAITHFUL FRIENDS.

A CHURCH IN PENSYLVANIA, USA SENDS ABOUT $300 EACH MONTH TO ASSIST WITH THE FUEL FOR THESE VEHICLES. HOWEVER, WE PAY $750 EACH MONTH FOR GAS.

WITH THE RECENT FUEL INCREASE, OUR ENERGY BILL FOR THE BUILDINGS ON CAMPUS HAS TRIPLED TO $800 PER MONTH.

MIGHT YOU BE WILLING TO ASSIST WITH THESE NEEDS ON A MONTHLY BASIS?


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Last edited August 22, 2012
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