One of the events I look forward to the most are those where we develop facilitators of low ropes course initiatives. On the outside, being passed through a "spider's web of string" or falling into the arms of a group of people or climbing a wall, might look simple. One might think: Anyone can lead this activity. But in reality it's not as simple as it looks. Leading it well requires a lot of training in safety measures and most difficult of all is learning how to inductively lead the participants to gain insights into themselves, group process and related Biblical principles. As you look at this picture, ask yourself, what type of feelings might I have if that was me? This gives you some idea as to the level of skill the facilitator must have to draw out those feelings, discuss them within the group and make sense of them in light of scripture (learning to trust others is a key issue that causes difficulty for many). That's why we invest over 48 hours of teaching and practice from Friday night to Monday afternoon. They are taught in small groups of 8 people with two trainers.
As you view the slideshow below, pray for the 40 facilitators who have been trained to use their new found skill to promote godly living and playing and pray for the team of 10 trainers to be given God's strength and wisdom as we teach others purpose-driven recreation.
CCI LA/Honduras held an event called:The Family that Plays together, Stays Together, a modified Expo Games for Families and here are some testimonies:
Testimony from Kenia Riera: "Sept. 27, 2008 will remain recorded in our memory because we attended one of the most gratifying experiences of our lives as a family: Family Expo-Games. For me it was deeply satisfying to play with my kids as well as see other families running, jumping and hugging. This activity was conceived of by Lisa Anderson-Umana, Director of Leadership Development in Christian Camping International and Mrs. Osberg, Director of Family Life at the Academy Los Pinares (Pine Forest Academy). Lisa utilized the tools CCI generously shares with other ministries like the Games Encyclopedia and 15 specially trained CCI facilitators."
Hena Moreno: "Our girls succeeded in getting the entire family to play together for the following three days after the event. My husband and I have referred to the covenant we all signed together to remind us to keep our weekly commitment to play together."
Mayra de Lean (Family Lean-Maradiaga): "Thank you so much Lisa. You have no idea how much this event has united us as a family. We are so pleased that we all made the decision to attend. We hope the school repeats this experience next year in 2009 because it was very beneficial and necessary. We live a very busy life with so much work but let me tell you that we have played together at home and we have had a ball. My twelve-year old son reminds us regularly of the Covenant we signed to play together regularly.
The video clip is excellent, how creative! Thank you and your team once again for all the Pinares Families.
Check out the 4 min. video to see for yourself the activities of the day and share with me your thoughts and comments:
“The only way to really learn is to sit in class at the feet of some expert, listen and take notes.”
“So I thought,” says Cristián, “prior to my exposure to Christian Camping International, Latin America (CCI /LA). My eyes have been opened, so to speak, to a whole another realm of learning: experiential education!”
Cristián is sitting on the floor sharing his thoughts and impressions as a recent graduate of CCI /LA training for low ropes course facilitation. He is surrounded by leaders from other countries, like Carlos Valladares who is the director of the Bible Institute for Assembles of God—King’s Castle ministry in El Salvador, and Rixy Leiva who is a psychologist in El Salvador, as well as a number of pastors who attended the training as well.
“I have a vision for starting a School of Leadership and I would like to make the use of low ropes course and camp activities a core part of the curriculum,” Cristián further expounded on his vision but also confessed his initial hesitation regarding involvement with CCI /LA.
“I confess, after Lisa’s church came to build the ropes course elements this summer in our camp, I said to myself, “if these CCI /LA training courses aren’t that good, I’ll just come up with my own stuff. Indeed, I went on-line and studied hard to gather materials to create my own training course to teach facilitators. But after these last 4 days filled with 44-hours of training (Sept. 12-15), I’d be
crazy to try and reinvent the wheel! Now that our camp is a member of CCI LA/Honduras, I plan on soliciting one of these training courses every year to prepare new facilitators to run groups through our ropes course.”
“Thank you CCI/LA for putting together such a spectacular training program!”
Well, , this response from Cristián is a direct answer to your prayers!
Thank you for “watching over us in prayer”
Lisa
Cristian during the training course, on the "Chicken Wire Crossing", his third attempt was the charm! as he persisted in crossing from one end of the hanging pole to the other side, in the process, having to hang like a possum!
This gives you some idea as to the level of skill the facilitator must have to draw out those feelings, discuss them within the group and make sense of them in light of scripture (learning to trust others is a key issue that causes difficulty for many).
