The New Fall Season is Here

Well folks there have been a couple of chances here at the Adventure Learning Centre. First of all, we have a new Executive Director, Pastor Chet Lowe. If you are not familiar with him, Pastor Chet has been part of Calvary Chapel of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for over 20 years. He became a Pastor about 13 years or more. During his time as Pastor, he has started up many churches and ran a program in Montana. Potters Field, this is Discipleship training. He has been doing this for awhile now. This is a time for kids from 18 to 26 year old, to draw closer to our Lord Jesus Christ. It runs for 4 months. During that time they have Bible teachings that cover 22 Books of the Bible. Plus there is a boot camp technique there. This is not a regular Bible School. So Pastor Chet believes this is his gift to Disciple. So he as talked with Pastor Bob Coy about this and he has brought it over here in the Bahamas. Pastor Chet is a Bahamian and was raised up on this island, (as a child). So in January this will start here. They are looking for 20 kids to come over and do this, boot camp. Patmos is the name of this program.
During these last three days Pastor Chet has been sharing his heart with our staff here. I am looking forward to see this take off and be part of the staff here, to help them at what ever needs are there. Just what he has talked about during this time we are just as excide as the staff of Patmos is.
Here is more about his heart about the three areas that he over sees. First is The Adventure Learning Centre. We are like the Disciples to get the Word out, teaching the Gospel, 80% education of nature and 20% The Word.
The next area is The Camp. That place is to make Disciples and let everyone know that is the only reason the Camp will be used for. If you have read some of my blogs before, you can see some people coming through here didn’t really have that out look for their stay here. So this alone will be more about them living out their lives as Christ did.
Then I have already talked about Patmos. That is going to be part of the camp and Adventure Learning Centre. They will live at the camp. The barn, at the centre will be their classroom. Plus during the day Patmos kids will be helping us out, where ever we will need them. So just about what I have written, is just a drop in the bucket. I have so much more to tell you about. But I know I have already lost most of you. So please let me know what you think and e mail me. May our Lord bless your day and keep you. Bye for now Tom, Phil 4:13

Hello folks, having some trouble with my computer.

Yes it is hard to explain. But I am sorry that I have not written to you all for a while. There seams to be a virus that my laptop picked on Sept 3rd. Plus around that day we chanced out server and e mail address. So right now I only have a couple of peoples addresses. So if you could PLEASE e mail your addresses and I will write back to you. The computer that I am using is the one that all staff uses. So it might be a while before I get back with you. So please e mail at the same address. toms@alcbahamas.org That is the same but like I said before I don’t have my address book any more. I have written up a blog last week on what is going on here. I hope to send that may be tonight. Bye for now Tom, Phil 4:13

That is right $4.78 a gallon. Aug 20 2006 

These are on sale, 6 pack. NOT a 12 pack. 

I need to share with you.

Well I came a back from Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. (vacation), now I need to look into the future. I have signed up to stay here until Dec. 2006. Maybe even longer, if that is what He wants. You all can relate to how the money thing works. I need to explain to you all about the cost of living over here is. The picture you see above is filling up my gas tank here. The price of gas has gone from $4.35 to $4.78 in the last two weeks. It took $61.41 to fill my tank on the truck that I brought from Ft. Laud. If you want to read about how and the cost, you can go back in my blog. The date is March 27, 2006, The next picture is price of a 1 six packs of Pepsi, on sale, (that s not a 12 pack). Here are a couple more items that I buy over here, gallon of milk $6.50 and up. A pound of bananas go for $.99 to $1.39, large jar of peanut butter $8.85. The item that I get from City Market are priced for Florida, chips $1.99, I pay $3.99 for the same bag.
Okay that is about the cost of food and gas. Now the electric, (kilowatt hour). In Florida go for $.09, around here it goes for $.27 to $.35. Which you can see there is a big difference. So at this time I have air conditioner, (bedroom) which I have a timer on it and I run it 1 hour while I am falling a sleep.
Okay the reason I am letting you all know this is. Paul let his churches know the hard ships and how he needed some help with his ministry. The Scriptures are 2 Corinthians 6:3 We try to live in such a way that no one will be hindered from finding the Lord by the way we act and so no one can find fault with our ministry of God. Then 2 Corinthians 8:3, 9:1-2. The book of Philippians is one of my favorite. Chapter 1: 3-11, (6) And I am sure that God who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus cones back again.
So guys and s it is so good to be part of a team here that just wants to share the Word and love on these people here. Plus I have a chance to be used for all the missionaries that come over and stay at our ALC Camp. I just want to say thank you again for taking the time to read this and I pray that He has tugged on your heart a little. Bye for now, Tom, Phil 4:13
If you have any questions about the work that we are doing over here. Please check out our web page. alcbahamas.org Then if you feel lead to help me out, make your checks out to Adventure Learning Centre in care of Tom Schafer. Drop them in the Calvary boxes or drop them off at the main office. If you are not part of Calvary Ft. Lauderdale. Please contact me and I can tell you what to do. My e mail address is toms@alcbahamas.org
Thank you again.

Getting back in STEP



Well everyone, I went back to Florida for a couple of weeks. This is funny, every time I go back, the world over there has kept running and running. Even running faster that before. Calvary Fort Lauderdale has expanded again. Not just the people now of 680 staff, plus Pastors of 24. They have another church now in Plantation Florida. This is called a satellite church. There is a Wednesday night teaching and twice on, Sunday. I was told there is about a 1000 people going there now. Next time I get back there, it will have grown even more. Our Lord is doing some amazing things over there.

Now here He has been doing a lot of work too. For the past month there has been groups coming over from Calvary, to work. The first one came and put in 400 flowers and 10 palm trees. The next group started putting in, air condition duct work and ran the electric up stairs in the barn, my old apartment. Number 3 group knocked down a wall between the ALC kitchen and storeroom. Plus they started putting up the studs in the barn. Now the group that is here, now, their plan is to have the all the studs and drywall up by this Sunday night. Plus they are digging a trench for the new sink and drain for the kitchen. That slab is about 6” deep and they have been cutting and hammering away so they can run the pumping for that. Now meanwhile the girls have been painting and building desk (kits) for the staff here. It just has been a crazy and busy and even a neat time even over here in the Bahamas. The next time I log in I will tell you about my trip. Bye for now Tom, Phil 4:13

This little girl is what Indenpence is all about.  

Bahamas’ 33rd Independence Celebrations

This last week has been full of events. Thursday the 6th, was the renaming of the Bahamas International Airport, the new name is The Lynden Pindling International Airport. This gentleman was the first Prime Minister of Bahamas. They call him the Father of this Nation. This gentleman was in the Prime Minster’s job for over 25 years. He passed away back in 2002 ?. Then on Friday the 7th, this day was the National Pride Day. This day was set aside for all to wear your colors of Blue Gold and Black. The same colors that are in the Flag of the Bahamas. Next day was Saturday which was full of things to do. Junkanoo Festival, at Arawak Cay. At Rawson Square had a Independence Beat Retreat. Then during the night we had The Miss Bahamas Beauty Pageant. These s have been training for over ten weeks just so they would be ready for this event. Now the big day is just around the corner. 9th Sunday there was a Royal Poinciana Tea Party which was at the Government House. Jazz festival on the other side of the island. This night we had Church Service at the main park, Clifford Park, downtown. Plus we where suppose to have the flag raising. It just started raining and they had to cancel it. But at midnight there was a big Concert at Arawak Cay. Then July 10th at 4:30am the big People’s Rush Out happen. That is a Junkanoo parade. I got out there around 7 am. It was still happening and boy it was a great time of dancing and just listening to the groups going down the main road. The picture that is above this blog, car with a little waving two flags and just having a wonderful time. Then that evening at 6pm there was a Ground Breaking Ceremony for the New National Stadium which will be built at the Queens Elizabeth Sports Centre this next year. Boy this place is going to be the jewel of the islands. Later on I will write about this place. Guys and s I pray that things are going well in your lives and I pray that you keep me in your prayers for my finances for my remaining 6 months here. Thank you for taking this time to read this and PLEASE write back to me a comment or my e mail. The reason I say this is I am not sure if anyone is reading this. Please let me know. Bye for now Tom, Phil 4:13

Bahamian Flag

Just to tell you about the Bahamas’ Flag

You can see the flag right above. There are three (3) colors. Now this is what I have been told by a Christian, this is what he thinks the colors mean.
Top Blue = The color of the sky.
Yellow Middle = The color is Sun (Son) Jesus Christ
Bottom Blue = The color of the sea (ocean)
Middle Black = The Bahamas’ People, they are pointing towards the Son (Jesus Christ)
That is such a great way to look at the Bahamas’ Flag.
But now let me tell you what it real means.
Top Blue = The color of the sky.
Yellow Middle = The color of the sand and other rich land resources.
Bottom Blue = The color of the sky too.
Middle Black = The triangle represent the people and their strength.
On July 10, 2006 they will be celebrate their 33 years of independence from the Untied Kingdom. So this next Monday will be the day to party. I real look forward in their days of celebrating. They have about 9 things going on this whole week and weekend. I will write about them this next blog. Bye for now and may our Lord just bless your socks off. Bye Tom, Phil 4!3

Hello from Bahamas

This is just a update on what is going on here. I told you about the groups that are coming in the next 6(six) weeks. So let me just share about Esther and where she will be living stating next month. There is three s that are going to be staying on this summer program. So the apartment that they have, they can have pets. So at that time she will be living there. But during the day she will be part of the Camp grounds. While I am working on the grounds or that area, she will be there with me. So I am trying to train her so she doesn’t need a leash. So far she is still house broken and very well behaved. I believe our Lord just sent her for me and the kids around the Camp and areas. So at this time there is a young lady in my life now. So if you have been praying for one for me, your prayers have been answered. Thank you so much for taking your busy time to read this. May our powerful Lord just give you all a BIG hug for me. Bye for now. Tom, Phil 4:13.

It is Esther and I. I tried to put this in my profile, but didn't work. So I have hair again and even added some to my lip. We are just having a ball over here and wish you all could come over and visit us. It is always in His time. I thank everyone of you, that take a look at this page every once and a while. May He bless your day and every day. Bye for now. Up date this weekend. Tom, Phil 4:13

Mission Discover June 2005 

Next 6 Weeks At The Camp

It is that time of the year when we get in a group called Mission Discovery. The leaders came in this last week end. Well the first group is due to fly in tomorrow morning and afternoon. They are all coming from 4 (four) differ high schools. I am not sure as of today where they are from. By tomorrow afternoon I will have an idea. The neat thing about these groups are, they work at four differ places, 1) will be at the Aids Camp, 2) Ranfurly Orphan Home, 3) a church called Ebenezer (Haitian) 4) another Haitian church. That is what these kids are called to do. WORK, the jobs are not easy ones. Last year they tore out a ceiling in Ebenezer Church. Then replaced it with dry wall and stucco. So I am not sure what this year will bring. The real nice thing about theses groups are, I hand them the keys and drive them where they need to go and just make sure things are flowing. Don is the one over seeing these leaders and he has been doing this for over 5 years here alone. So he does the running for supplies and stuff for them to do the job. The picture that is above this log in, is from last year first group. So I will keep you a breast of what they are doing and even send more pictures. Take care for now and may our Lord bless your day. Thanks for looking at this and look forward in seeing your comments. Bye Tom, Phil 4:13.

Andy's group from Chicago, plus 

Another group has come and gone.

There is a picture of this group that is right above this log in. They are from the Chicago area. Their names are left to right. Andy, Clark (baby), Danny (wife), Billy, Lea (wife), Mike, Stephanie (wife), Brain and his wife is Erin. They came over here to bless us by doing work, (what ever). So the first day (Saturday), they help us with another Fun Day. This one was a Water Mania. Boy The Centre was rocking away. We had about 1100 people in two days. Then they went to church with Will and Jenn, on Sunday. Monday another work day to get going. They worked at Billy’s and Lea house. I don’t think I have written about what they are doing. They bought this place on the ocean, (Castle). It needs a lot of loving care and even some work. The place got water damage a couple of years ago. The roof pretty much let go and there was a lot of damage. So Andy’s group just did what they could for two days. Which it just a great time for them and Billy and Lea really enjoy being part of their mission trip. The rest of the week they work at the Adventure Learning Centre. That was working on making up offices out of our classroom. It really does look great. The sad part is everyone needs to go back to their homes and that is the end of a mission trip for them. I thank them for all that they did. Maybe next year they may come. Thanks again. Tom, Phil 4:13

This a note for picture watchers.

This is just a note, all the pictures that you see. You can enlarged them by double clicking on the picture itself. So please if you would like to see them better. Just double click on them. Hey if you read this can you e mail me or leave a comment. Thank you for taking the time to checking this page out. Bye, Tom, Phil 4:13

These are just a flew of the guys.  

These are what they handed out to the college of The Bahamas.  

This is one of three pictures that I think you might enjoy.