Teen Harvest Official Blog

Building Blitz official schedule, menu, and job list

2011-03-13T17:12:00.003-05:00

All items subject to change without notice.

Schedule
Thursday
• 7AM-Noon Pre-event setup
• 1:00 PM Work
• 6:15 PM post-work cleanup
• 6:30 PM Dinner
• 7:30 PM Worship and Prayer
• 8:00 PM Free time/Fellowship
• 9:00 PM Recommended bedtime
Friday
• 6:30 AM Morning prayer
• 7:30 AM Breakfast
• 8:00 AM Morning Muster
• 8:06 AM Work
• 12 NOON Lunch
• 1:00 PM Work
• 6:15 PM Post-work cleanup
• 6:30 PM Dinner
• 7:30 PM Worship and Prayer
• 8:00 PM Free time / possible movie or games / etc.
• 9:00 PM Recommended bedtime
Saturday
• 6:30 AM Morning prayer
• 7:30 AM Breakfast
• 8:00 AM Morning Muster
• 8:06 AM Work
• 12 NOON Lunch
• 1:00 PM Work
• 6:00 PM Post-work cleanup
• 6:30 PM Dinner
• 7:30 PM Worship and Prayer
• 8:00 PM Free time / Bonfire / Awesome end-of-event-party-time / etc.
• 10:00PM Recommended bedtime
Sunday
• 8:00 AM Breakfast
• TBD AM Church
• TBD PM Tour of property, and hiking trip to Glade top

Menu (*)
(meals are provided, but we suggest a $3 donation per person, per meal)
Thursday
Dinner:
Turkey dinner (Thanksgiving style)
Friday
Breakfast:
Pancakes, Sausage, fruit
Lunch:
Hamburgers, potato salad, cookies
Dinner:
Chili, corn bread/corn chips
Dessert: Cheesecake
TBD
Saturday
Breakfast:
Omelet Casserole, fruit
Lunch:
Enchiladas, bean dip, rice, cookies
Dinner:
Spaghetti, French bread, Garden salad
Dessert:
S’mores by the bonfire
Sunday
Breakfast:
Baked oatmeal, muffins, coffee cake, fruit
(*) ATTENDEES: If you have any special dietary considerations PLEASE let me know ahead of time so I can plan for you!

Job List

Kitchen help
Deck-building
Porch soffit
Painting
Porch railing
Bonfire Pit
Property cleanup/maintenance
Landscaping
Assistant personal assistant (go-fer/general help)
Cabin team #1
Cabin team #2
Additional cabin teams may be added as needed

Teen Harvest Weekend Building Blitz event 2011

2010-12-01T10:03:00.001-06:00

Come one, come all, to a weekend full of fun, food, fellowship …and building!
Why we’re going to do what we’re going to do:
We are bursting at the seams with our Family Reconciliation Retreat ministry. Over the past year we have had 5 retreats and have been “scraping the bottom of the barrel” for places for people to stay. We’ve had people stay in travel trailers, the tack shed, the local hotel, or even sleeping on couches in ord...er to attend our retreats. We feel that God is indeed blessing our pursuit of this avenue of ministry, and to that end we are proceeding with plans to build cabins to accommodate attendees. That’s where you come in.
So, what exactly are we doing?
March 31st through April 3rd we are planning to have some “service days” during which time people can come lend their assistance in various projects that need to be done at the ranch. Those of you who have participated in HSA outreach projects or “The Weekend” at Camp David of the Ozarks know the drill: In extreme-makeover fashion, we hope to build several cabins as well as tackle various smaller projects, such as finishing a deck/porch and property maintenance projects. Basically, whether you’re a highly-skilled worker or a low-skilled worker, we can use your hands! Below I will put a list (subject to change, of course) of projects we hope to accomplish during the weekend. How much gets done will depend on how many people show up and how much building material God provides! We already have several people planning to come and we are trusting God as always to provide the funds and building materials and additional hands needed to make this project happen!
What if you can’t come on said days?
Basically this is a come-when-you-can-as-long-as-you-can type of event. Thursday (March 31) is going to be more of a prep-day with the main building focus being Friday and Saturday. And if people want to stick around on Sunday for more fellowship, great! We’ll be glad to have you!

What if you can’t come at all?
Please consider coming if you possibly can, or if you are unable, perhaps consider donating to the materials fund. If you can do neither, hey that’s fine, you can still pray! In fact, regardless of your ability (or lack thereof) to participate manually or financially, please do pray! Note prayer needs listed below…
Additional notes:
Food will be readily available, though we’d ask everyone to contribute $3 per meal per person to help cover the cost of food. Water is always available for free.
Overnight lodging is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. There’s always plenty of room for tents, too. ;) Please contact for lodging details.
If you need transportation to and from the airport, let us know!
A PDF of the cabin plans with an itemized materials list can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/cabin-PDF
If you would like to contribute financially send checks to:
Teen Harvest
HCR 71 box 352
Ava, MO 65608-8917
or click this banner:

For more information on Teen Harvest and our Family Reconciliation Retreats, or to RSVP for this event, please visit http://www.teenharvest.com/

Projects:
1. Build Cabins (Number of cabins we aim to build will depend on number of hands and materials provided, but we ultimately hope to build 12 cabins)
2. Build back deck and roof/awning
3. Railing for front and back porch
4. Fire pit (for outdoor cooking and family time around the fire)
5. Clearing trails for hiking/horseback riding/etc.
6. Property maintenance/fence repair
7. Landscaping
4 or 5 additional volunteers will also be needed for KP/food prep
Prayer needs:
1. Finances/building materials
2. Good weather!
3. Safety
Financial needs
Cabins: We have received a bid from Mansfield Home Center (of Ava) for approx. $2,930 per cabin, minus furnishings
Deck: TBD
Fencing: TBD
Landscaping: TBD

Alert Update!!

2010-10-07T14:10:00.000-05:00

I'm sure you are anxious to know how God has met our need. You knew He would! I called the well company and they came out and were able to get the old pump going again. It had two broken parts. However, it is very, very old and only pumps 1/2 the water we need for this big of a house. But, praise the Lord, we have water again for now.

I got a call from a friend who may have a new pump to give us that only needs a little repair to be used and it is big enough for our need. So, we will see where God takes this.

The well guys also talked to me about the need for a better, bigger water softener. I know God will provide that too.

Thank you for your prayers!! God bless you, Pastor Paul

October 2010 Reconciliation Retreat menu

2010-10-07T13:06:00.005-05:00

Seven more reasons to attend the October 2010 retreat! It'll be delicious in more ways than one!

Thursday Dinner:
Fruit/Veggie tray
Quesadillas
Southwestern Nachos
Mexican Deviled eggs
Bean dip
DESSERT: pumpkin chip cookies

Friday Breakfast:
Pancakes
Sausage
applesauce

Friday Lunch:
BBQ sandwiches
Veggie tray
Chips

Friday Dinner:
Spaghetti
French bread
Garden salad
DESSERT: campfire s'mores (if it's too cold we'll have an alternate dessert)

Saturday Breakfast:
Oatmeal
Fruit
Muffins

Saturday Lunch:
Potato soup
Squash soup
Spinach/lentil soup
Sandwiches

Saturday Dinner:
Grilled chicken fettuccini casserole
French bread
Garden salad
DESSERT: Birthday Cake (to celebrate all the October birthdays)

Emergency Prayer Alert!

2010-10-07T10:26:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends,

This is an emergency prayer alert! This morning, while I was rinsing off in the shower, I heard the Lord say to me, "Call the well company today and order a larger well pump because your current pump is not large enough to handle the amount of water you are using much less what you need." To me, it was a clear word from the Lord. Two minutes later, the well pump broke and siphoned the water right out of the house pipes and our water was gone.

For those of us who have lived by faith for years, these things are exciting because we know that we are getting ready to see a miracle!! Naturally, we do not have money sitting around to pay for the old pump to be craned up from 380 feet down and a new one to be lowered. But God always meets out needs. So, a miracle is about to happen!!

I want to ask you to get involved in this miracle by being one of the prayer warriors who is praying the prayer of faith with us that God is going to get us a new, larger pump and additional storage tanks that are necessary to handle the huge amount of water that is needed to keep Teen Harvest in water. Don't forget that our next Family Reconciliation Retreat begins one week from today!!! ...and we have the largest crowed yet scheduled to be here. People are coming from Kansas, Georgia, New York, Missouri and Tennessee.

Praise the LORD!!
~Pastor Paul

OH! NO! School's out!!!

2010-05-11T17:53:00.001-05:00

If you're like hundreds of parents, you are about to face one of the scariest things. All summer with no idea what you are going to do with all their energy and mischief.

Then again, you may be one of those perfect moms who is so organized that you have left no time for them to get into trouble!! If so, I'd like to read your book when it comes out and find out how that's workin' for ya.

For the rest of you, I'd like to suggest that you take a few days with your spouse and discuss your family values and identity. Make a list and write down what your expectations are for your family. Be sure to pray hard and get the help in doing this. Beneath each item, write down the Scripture from the Bible that supports or teaches you to do them. Then find biblical rewards for following these "expectations" (don't call them rules). Be sure to include the Scripture reference where you found the rewards.

Then, make a third column in which you write down the biblical consequences for violating the expectations. Of course, you will want to write that reference below each item as well.

Make sure that you blog me if you are having trouble understanding what I am talking about and I will help you with it. I'm sure other readers will want to know as well.

What this does, is takes the "fight" out of parenting. It shows your kids that you did not just grab an idea from insanity. It actually makes kids proud to know that their parents care enough about parenting to search out Bible reasons for their parenting choices.

Now summer can be a joy. When kids know what is expected and why ...they know the rewards and consequences of their choices... when they know how to please you, they are more likely to be obedient children you can afford to give them more freedom.

Now I know that it is not as simple as it sounds at first blush. But it does work and is worth the work. I have helped many families to work through the issues and establish peace in their homes. So, do not hesitate to call me and seek my help. I will not charge you. You can make an offering if you like, but that will be up to you.

Please register for our next Family Reconciliation Retreat at www.teenharvestretreat.kk5.org. There, you can work through family issues in a community setting and find the help you need.

God bless you, Pastor Paul

"Normal Teenage Problems"

2010-03-30T13:43:00.001-05:00

....You say what?? "Normal teenage problems?" Yes, indeed, we hear this phrase often. A parent will call to inquire about Teen Harvest or the Family Reconciliation Retreat and tell us that their son or daughter just has "normal teen problems," or words to that effect.

Hhhmmmmmm. I tell you the truth. After 39 years of being a teenager myself ...uh! Well, I never got over it since I have always worked with teens since I was 16. The truth of the matter is there are two kinds of kids. The ones that make their parents happy and cause no trouble and the ones that worry their parents or even make them really mad.

Sure, some are worse than others. But I have learned that when parents say, "My son just has normal teenage problems" ...the whole time they are calling a boarding school for boys... what they mean is, "My kid is driving me crazy! I'm worried about him and I don't know what to do. Of course, he is not nearly as bad and some kids I see. In fact, I see many kids who act just like my 'Johnny'!"

The Bible tells us (in Proverbs 22:15) "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him." So then, it is normal for kids to be foolish ...these parents are correct on that account! But it also tells us that proper discipline will drive it far from him.!

I have known dozens of families, mine included, that have never had to deal with "troubled teens". ...what was that you said? ...that is because you never had a strong-willed child? Well, I guess you never met my boys! At least two of them had very strong wills. However, with proper discipline and training, they never did rebel, or vandalize anyone's property, or steal a bicycle or... well, you got the picture.

You see, children want to please their parents. They want their parents to be proud of them. But most of all, they want their parents to discipline them!!!! Kids instinctively know that they are loved when they are given godly, reasonable discipline and they feel UN-loved if they don't get it. When they don't get the discipline they crave, they will "act out" to see if they can inure the love they feel that they are missing.

Make no mistake about it. Kids who are discipline problems are crying out to be rightfully and lovingly disciplined. If you have a child who is doing drugs, it may be because they feel more love from the drug crowd than they do from you, of it may just be that they are trying to see if you love them enough that they can provoke a corrective response from you.

Oh, I know that it is usually more complicated than that, but ...in a nutshell... this is the lesson for today. Is it any wonder that kids know without being taught what the Bible says in Proverbs 13:24 "He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly." Uuhhh! The rod? Well, yes. In the original language the word means "ROD". But that doesn't mean that you have to break off a tree limb and take out after your kid. It does mean that the child needs and wants an immediate response to their foolishness.

The best lesson for me came from one of my foster sons who shocked me, one night, with the comment, "Dad!" he said, "Do you now why I love you and mom so much?" I said, "Tell me." His reply, "No one ever told me 'NO!' before. When you tell me I cannot do what I want to do, I know that it is because you think it will be bad for me and that means you love me enough to say, 'NO!" He went on, "My real mom and all of my foster parents never told me 'no' or said why I couldn't do something because they didn't care, but you do care ...and I love you for it!!"

Please join us at one of our Family Reconciliation Retreats this summer, or call for special times. Visit our FRR web page at: www.teenharvestretreat.kk5.org. for more discussion of how to raise happy teens!!

Enjoy the blessings of the LORD!

Sincerely, Paul

Date set for Family Reconciliation Retreat!!

2010-02-05T16:26:00.001-06:00

GOOD NEWS!! We have set the date for our next Family Reconciliation Retreat. It will be April 15 to 17, 2010.

I will once again be joined on the panel by Dr. Thomas DeVol of New York and the rest of the team in this interactive seminar where whole families participate. It is a time for great fun and laughter, hard work, discovery and deep healing. We cover everything from struggles in your marriage; to out of control teenagers; to health issues. We want you to go home changed!

There will be "FREE" Computerized Electro-Dermal health screening for those who want to take advantage of it. There will be singing. There will be family games.

These Family Reconciliation Retreats are all about healing families. Plan early to attend!! Even if you don't believe you have problems in your family, you will be very glad you came!! You will not regret it!! If you know another family who is struggling with troubled teens or just can't get along, show them you love them by bringing them along!!

Space is limited, so don't wait. Send me an email right away at: teenharvest@teenharvest.com.

Loving to serve, Pastor Paul Neighbour

Attracting "Followers" to this Blog

2010-01-31T14:18:00.001-06:00

I really believe in this project. I have a conviction and a calling to help restore families: husbands and wives to be in love with each other and God; Children to love and honor their parents; parents to feel satisfaction and pride in their children; and trust ...did I say TRUST???

This is the calling that we at Teen Harvest have from the Lord ...and it is a sure calling from the Holy Bible -2 Corinthians 5:16-21.

The reason I have not "blogged" here more often as planned, other than the fact that I am obviously very busy "raising" boys who could not get along at home, is because we have not attracted many followers as of yet! My time is valuable and I must use it in the most advantageous way.

SOOOOO.... Please help me get people to "follow" this blog and ...VERY IMPORTANT... request that I address topics of concern to them and their families! :) I will always answer a question as quickly as possible. I am also available by email at: teenharvest@teenharvest.com. If you need to talk to me by phone, I will give you that number when you write me with a request.

Have a blessed day, and get busy now!! :) :)
-Paul

Parents are the example

2009-12-07T10:42:00.002-06:00

The tip of the day for parents is: "Live like you want your children to live!" I cringe when I hear parents fondly telling stories of the dumb things they did as teens or young people in the hearing of their children. Your children not only feel free to do what you did too ("Dad/mom did it and he/she turned out OK, so will I!") but they want to do it "better".

One couple gleefully told how the wife had had an affair with a guy before they met and had a mutli-racial child as a result. They seemed proud that it showed that they were not predjudice ...and after all, they really loved him and he turned out pretty good. Much to the horror of the parents, their daughter took off with a strange man at a very young age and tried to get pregnant.

To contrast that story, I was talking to a woman recently who is in her 60's who told me how she decided to make a significant change in her life without saying one word to her married, adult children. Much to her surprise, all of her adult children made the same change in their lives without one word being spoken.

The Bible says, in Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go, And [even*] when he is old he will not depart from it." In Deuteronomy 11 it says, "18 “Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 19 You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 20 And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, 21 that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land of which the LORD swore to your fathers to give them, like the days of the heavens above the earth." (NKJV)

The Word of God teaches us that if we set the right example for our children they will walk the walk all their lives!! Now you know what to do. DO IT! :)

* the word "even" is implied in the original language.

Help With Troubled Teens

2009-11-12T13:56:00.001-06:00

People ask me, “How did my son (or daughter) get so messed up?” They usually say something like, “I gave him everything I could, I taught him right from wrong, I took him to Sunday School and church, he has never gone hungry; what went wrong? Why did he become so rebellious and angry?”

By the time parents ask me these questions, most of them are ready to hear the answer. But they still do not like the answer when they here it. The parents who do listen and follow closely the advice I give will, likely, regain their child’s heart, love and respect.

What I’m going to do in the next few blogs is discuss some of the reasons why kids rebel and get into trouble. I’m also going to give you insights that you can use to bring your family back together. So, read often and write me with your questions. I will answer all your questions (eventually) and your questions will help me know what kinds of things you want to read here. If you need personal help, please feel free to email me and ask in private. Thanks!

Family Reconciliation Retreat

2009-11-03T20:16:00.000-06:00

Wow; Did we have a great time in our first Family Reconciliation Retreat! This was a life-changing event for several people. If you missed it, you missed a real blessing! None of us will ever be the same again. There is no need for families to struggle with marraiges or children. There is peace and joy to be had. Ask us for information for the next Family Reconciliation Retreat right away!! God will bless you.

Preparing for Paint

2009-10-10T14:30:00.000-05:00

Ah I'm sorry once again for taking so long to update this... We've been awfully busy around here lately, trying to finish the house and preparing to launch our Family Reconciliation Retreats in just a few weeks (be praying! The first retreat is scheduled for the end of this month!).
These past few weeks have been exciting. We got the kitchen, hallway, and sewing/laundry room textured and are now applying the fireproofing base paint coat. We purchased the top coat paint for the kitchen and will be applying it soon! Here are some pictures of the boys working hard at painting the base coat:

Exciting Things to Come!

2009-09-08T13:54:00.000-05:00

Hello Teen Harvest supporters and prayer warriors. We are planning a new venture in ministry to bring families in crisis out to Teen Harvest for a 4 day intensive Family Reconciliation Retreat. This will also be a good opportunity for families who just want to learn what the warning signs are and how to avoid family problems before they start.

We are going to have morning and evening seminar style classes with individual and family counseling sessions during the day. When families are not in one of these places, they will have the opportunity to participate in “family-togetherness” games and activities. Activities such as horseback riding, nature walks, fishing, table games playing basketball, volleyball or soccer and, as time goes on, a ropes course, a zip line, 1890’s vintage ghost town with dress-up activities and so on.

To this end, we need to build 10 cabins. These will be available other times for many other reasons, such as a prayer retreat for families or individuals, or for people who just want a place to spend a few days in the woods.

We are hoping that individuals, church groups or families will step up to the plate and either build one of these cabins, decorate and furnish one or both. Or someone might want to just send the money for us to hire one built in their name. In any case, time is of the essence! We plan to hold the first seminar in at the end of October!

Please pray for this effort, and if you want to know how you can help, send me a quick note and I will tell you how! :)

Blessings in Christ, Paul

The Building of the House

2009-09-03T17:06:00.001-05:00

Hello there! First of all, my appologies for taking so long to get around to this. So many things to do around here, and so many blog topics to choose from! But I thought perhaps a good place to start would be with pictures from building the main house here at Teen Harvest. This project started in late 2003/early 2004 and is still going on today. It started with building an addition on to the old farm house that was orignally here at the ranch, then building a school/church building to house the office and school room, demolition of the old farm house, and now re-construction of a "second addition" where the old house used to stand. The finished house is just under 5,000 suare feet and includes 10 bedrooms (3 master bedroom suites), a large living room/family room, a spacious commerical kitchen/dining room, a basement (which will double as a game room and storm shelter), and a garage. God has blessed us immensely throughout this buildling project, providing us with finances and labor along the way when needed, as well as enabling us to use a few cutting-edge safety features and energy-saving technologies. Every step of the process was given much thought and prayer in hopes of providing a safe, fun environment for our students for now and for years to come.
Here are some pictures. I appologize that they are grossly out of order, but I could not get them in order.

Welcome

2009-08-25T10:26:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the official Teen Harvest School blog! Please feel free to follow or check back often for updates!