News and Events - Community News

The Connection – Maple Ridge

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John & Tiffany Martens22990 – 123 B Ave. Maple Ridge, BCV2X-0C3604.476.2404

martens@lightspeed.ca

March 26, 2007

It looks like the sun is finally starting to poke out. We have sent out a pigeon and might open the ark soon. I’m only ½ kidding … this is probably the wettest winter on record in BC. But rain brings new growth, and we are definitely thinking new growth around here at The Connection. We’ve just finished our Spring Media Camp (I’ll let Kyle tell you about that) and we’re setting down plans for the summer and beyond.

My job is to keep us focused on reaching new people and on the big picture. Right now we’re working on a set of challenges for the next 18 months: with our goal being the discovery of the 30 “mighty” families God has for us and preparing them for “BIG” worship in a new location, maybe a school.

We have acquired a wonderful sound system (was that ever fun to bring across the border) and a praise band that includes a keyboard, guitar, bongo drums, and a base guitar – that was first played this past Saturday (it was awesome!) – when we add the full continent of drums the whole place rocks! (That’s a good thing, by the way.)

Next month (April 20-24) I’m taking a trip to the US to teach about church planting (like I know anything

about thatJ) and I hope to take at least 4 more trips this year to share with churches. In my spare time I’m working on a script for our first feature film which we would love to shoot this summer if God opens the doors.

All in all, things are busy. God is changing lives. He’s working; we’re trying to follow. Pray that he brings us families that want to make a difference in the world. Pray for the financial resources that we can bring Cindy back to help out with all this administration. And pray for ongoing joy and strength.

Media Camp…By Kyle

The film/media camps this spring break went really well. Yes, I said camps, plural. We had two different camps during the week. One was Sunday through Saturday, in the afternoons, for Grades 7 and up and the other was Monday through Friday, in the mornings, for Grades 4-6. It was a tiring week, but we survived. We were at the church from 8:30 am until 7:30 pm and had only a half-hour break between the two camps. But it was worth it.

Brady Hardin (who worked with me on the TV show I produced) came up from St. Louis, Missouri for the week to help lead these camps and it was great having him here. He’s already looking forward to his next visit to Maple Ridge.

During the morning camp for the younger kids, we taught them a little about acting, writing, working behind the scenes and about special effects. During the second half of the week, they produced their own 7 minute short film which is currently being edited.

With the afternoon camp for the older youth, we spent two full days training them to act, work behind the scenes, and did a bit of writing. By the end of the week, we finished filming a 15 minute short film.

For the follow-up…we have a number of things planned to keep in contact with these students and their families. Over the next couple weeks, students can come and help edit their short film. This will help them to continue to learn about the movie industry. On April 27, we are having a premiere night for the students, their families, and their friends. We will have on-going film classes starting soon, which some of these students will be involved in.

Please continue praying for us as we follow-up with these families! Thank you for your prayers and support!!!

Family…by Tiffany

I went to Manitoba and spent a week with my Mom & Dad. That was a nice little vacation for me and hopefully for them too.

This last week I cooked, supervised teenagers for the media camp and “taxied” them around.  I found this very entertaining?, but I was glad to be able to help out.

We’ve wrapped up curling for Adam and started baseball for Mikaela – that means more “taxi service” for me … but it’s a lot of fun, and I love watching my kids play sports.