Ok, so definitely time for an update on Sylvia's Crazy Life. I have been pretty busy and so has God. Through my travels I had time for about 2 weeks in the states and I had been praying and asking God to guide me to the right place in this visit. He made it very clear I was to go back to Ballet Magnificat. For those of you that don't know, 8 years ago I moved to Jackson and danced with Ballet Magnificat for 3 years. Much has happened since then, but God brought me back to this place with an awesome purpose. To be honest, I was a little nervous, anxious because I hadn't been back in 5 years. Ugh, dance. You usually can't come back and coming back strong, out of the question... But, I decided to follow God's promptings (always a good idea) and come to Jackson. I have been here for almost 2 weeks, taking class, sharing with the girls, watching rehearsals... Just having a great Ballet Mag real time. I do miss it, but I understand how God has moved me on from this season of my life.
I had a meeting this week with Keith & Kathy Thibodeaux (directors) and it was great. I gave them the short version of the last 5 years since I left Ballet Mag and then shared my heart, what God is doing now and what He has challenged me to do. I made sure they understood that I was not here to "recruit" their dancers, but that I did want to know what possibilities there were to link our ministries somehow. For instance, they now have 36 trainees and only 5'ish are going to make it into the companies. Some of them are amazing dancers, but their call is not to Ballet Mag. Some of them could be like I was 5 years ago. I was happy here, but I knew God was calling me out. I wanted to know if there could be any way to for a net for these girls and help them find their calling post-Ballet Mag. I shared for an hour in devotions on friday morning, using Amazon pics, videos and sharing from my heart. Many of the girls came up to me and thanked me for sharing and they were really deeply touched. I can see this as a cool link to keep for many years to come. AND, the trainees each semester have an evaluation process and they are going to add YWAM Iquitos to as a "suggestion" for girls that heart cries for missions and don't know what to do with it. I am so amazed! God is good! Oh, and the other thing after 5 years of truly not training I have felt amazing these 2 weeks. I have not been in pain once. I feel solid. Yes, there are things that dancers need to work on all the time, but it wouldn't take much to get back up to speed. All I can say is thank God and He knows what He is doing. He has given me such peace and has told me that He is not done with me. Dance is not over! YEAH!!! So, I guess that is it. Just wanted to fill you in and thank you for helping me follow my dream.
I will be leaving for Peru this Monday (21st) in the morning. I will be passing through Iquitos, repacking and headed up the river to Leticia, Colombia. Flying in to Bucaramanga, Colombia by the 25th. I will be there until January of '10 attending the PCYM (Principles for Child & Youth Ministry) school with YWAM. The purpose of the PCYM school is to serve children, youth and families worldwide by training staff workers and leaders called to reach and disciple children and youth. This course also serves as the foundation for King's Kids staff training, and is a fully accredited course (Colleges of Education and Christian Ministries) with the University of the Nations. It is a residential training school, combining practical ministry experience with quality lecture input from local and international speakers.The school content includes:
- Child/human development from pre-birth to teens
- Strategy for working with pre-teens
- Working with teenagers
- Functional/dysfunctional families
- Foundational principles & values of King's Kids
- Leading children / teens in praise & worship
- Motivating young people in intercession
- Biblical Christian World view as it relates to children & teens
- Camp & outreach preparation
- Reaching the unchurched; child & youth evangelism
- Children in need of protection - understanding the problem of child abuse, etc.
Next post, I will fill you guys in on more details about the school and how God has been working in me and the things he is showing me through all this training. I am going after this training because I have a passion for children and the potential they have that needs to be discovered and developed. Arts (especially dance) is going to play a HUGE role in the Arts School that we are opening in Iquitos, so this school will give me the "net" I need to link better with Colombia in their King's Kids ministries and prepare me for this adventure.
Thank you so much for journeying WITH me through all this! I love you all so much!
Sylvia Barnard
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