December 2007
Instructional Design Ministry in Action
Submitted by nivins on Wed, 12/05/2007 - 10:00My colleague and I are preparing to leave our Christmas-decorated homes on Sunday. What would motivate us to do this, we who have 8 children between us?
Two ministries have asked us to come and give consulting on instructional design. Since they have time in December, we go in December.
One of the ministries provides Christian audio and visual materials for their region. They want us to help them learn how to develop courses and lessons to accompany their audio/video materials that can be delivered on CD.
The other ministry is a major seminary that trains leaders for their national churches. They invited us to meet with their faculty and administration to learn about good instructional design and about how to develop online distance learning.
The challenges are many for both of these ministries. We appreciate the prayers of those who partner with us as we continue to help ministries around the world.
By the way, we will be back on Dec. 21, so won’t miss the Big Day.
Good Gifts
Submitted by nivins on Wed, 12/26/2007 - 10:00Twas the day after Christmas
When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The Christmas tree is lit, the snow is falling outside, and I am content with the Goodness of God.
I continue to battle the effects of jet lag, as in falling asleep many times watching “Miracle on 34th Street” last night, and waking at 5:15–thus the no mouse stirring.
But the jet lag reminds me of the good gifts He gave on our latest Learning Technologies project in Beirut and Amman where Brian Ward and I provided training to two ministries there. The most statisfying of these gifts being that the participants repeatedly stated that what we shared with them was very profitable.
But I was also surprised to be taken to several biblical sites: Mt. Nebo where Moses looked into the promised land, but did not get to go; the site on the Jordan River where John had his ministry and where 
Jesus was baptized, and Rabbah, the citadel where Uriah was murdered. It was an added gift to be able to go to these sites, unexptected and appreciated. (Thanks to my hosts, T and M!)
Well, the mice are beginning to stir….
