All posts by The Derksens

Other Things In San Antonio

Conference, Family

After the CWVFF conference ended (in March…sorry we have been busy!), Dad and I went to pick up a car so we could get to the different tourist things that we were going to see during the next 2 days. It took about five minutes to get to the rental agency from our hotel with a shuttle. Once Dad got all the stuff figured out, we drove away and took the wrong turn (the GPS told us to) and went a long way away from where we wanted to go so finally we stopped and checked the GPS and realized that we had it set for the wrong place. When we got back close to the hotel, there were roads below us and above so we couldn’t tell which exit to take so we took the same wrong exit many times . We could see our hotel below us but we couldn’t get there. We finally decided not to rely on the GPS and we got to our hotel pretty quick! (about 45 min.)!

Sunday morning we attended a large Baptist Church that had a choir and orchestra. Here are a few pictures about other things we did after church and Monday before we flew out:

San Fernando Cathedral

Mom and Dad in front of the San Fernando Cathedral. This Cathedral is in downtown San Antonio and when it gets dark they have a laser light show on the front of the cathedral about the history of  Texas. We didn’t want to stay there till the evening so we didn’t see it.

 

Scooter Power Tours

One of the highlights was going on the Scooter Power Tour! The scooters went up 20 mph! We went on a 2 hour tour.

 

The Alamo

Mom decided not to come on the scooter tour, but instead tour the Alamo which is a famous fort in Texas history.

 

Scooter Power Tours

Dad, Micah and I on the scooter tour in front of the downtown area of the River Walk which is a famous 15 mile network of walk ways along the banks of the San Antonio River. There are barges floating down the river giving tours and many restaurants along the walkway.

 

Natural Bridge Cavern

Another thing we did was go to the Natural Bridge Cavern.

 

Column

Stalagmites and Stalactites that joined together to make some columns.

We had an enjoyable time at San Antonio and hope  we can go back again someday.

Psalm 24:1 – The earth is the Lord‘s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

 

CWVFF 2017

Conference, Family

I know this is behind schedule, but on March 12 Mom and I flew to the week long Christian Worldview Film Festival in San Antonio, Texas. In the Sweet By and By had been chosen as an official selection so that is why we went.

The first half of the week included sessions on the technical aspects of film making and also messages challenging Christian film makers to present the gospel and to keep high Biblical standards in their film making. The last half of the week all the films that had been selected were shown, followed by an awards ceremony. (Dad and Andrew joined us for the last half of the week.)

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There was a great speaker lineup, 27 people in all. Stephen Kendrick (he and his brother Alex have made many popular Christian films) gave a few great keynotes.

 

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Phillip Telfer, the founder of CWVFF. He is a pastor, and also travels around talking about media discernment.

 

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Ken Carpenter, is a Christian film producer/ director, and has made quite a number of films under his former production company- Franklin Springs Media, and now he is in the process of releasing a feature film.

 

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Directors panel- from left to right: Rich Christiano (‘A Matter of Faith’, ‘Secrets of Jonathan Sperry’, etc.), George Escobar (‘Come What May’, etc.), Brett Varvel (‘The War Within’ etc,), Dallas Jenkins (‘The Resurrection of Gavin Stone’, etc.), and Ken Carpenter (‘Measure Twice Cut Once’, ‘Run the Race’, etc.)

 

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John-Clay Burnett giving a workshop. He has worked on many films, including editing ‘Polycarp’.

 

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With film maker George Escobar.

 

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With Garry Nation. He is long- time stage actor, and also played the lead role, Polycarp in the film of the same name.

 

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One of the three showings of  In the Sweet By and By.

 

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At the end of the week, after listening to speakers and watching many films, was the  awards ceremony. There were different award categories for the 80 + films entered. The film ‘Champion’ made by a large church won Best Feature Film, and the Audience Choice award (the filmmakers are in the picture above).

We are thankful to God for the safety he provided on the six flights it took to get there and back, and also safety driving in the large city of San Antonio. While we did not 100% agree with all the views the speakers/ films had, It was a great opportunity to go to this festival.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

 

 

Gospel Echoes Read-A-Thon

Family,

What a win-win-win situation! Andrew recently participated in a month long Read-a-thon. Not only did he read 1656 pages from 26 books (15 of which were books of the Bible), but he also raised funds for Gospel Echoes and won one of the 3 grand prize bikes! He was able to sell his old bike to his brother whose bike had been stolen. Gospel Echoes raised almost $18,000 to supply Bible study materials in prisons. At the closing pizza party, a young man shared how he had become a Christian in prison and his whole life had been turned around. The Lord used the ministry of Gospel Echoes to make this happen. That is the biggest win that this whole venture has in the long run!

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“I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” Matthew 25:36b
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

Winter Activities

Family, Friends

This winter we have done a couple activities with family and friends. We have x-country skied and also had a curling evening on Family Day!

Mr. Noel sends a shot up the ice.

 

A skip, showing where to aim for.

 

Younger curlers showing the older ones the game:)

 

Approximately 50 people showed up (not all played, or else it might have gotten a bit busy).

 

Levi, Joshua, and Micah

Our family went on some groomed ski trails north of Duck Lake.

 

Micah and I

Since it had been warm out most of the snow had melted, but on the trail it was usually pretty good other than when there was grass at the bottom of a big hill!

 

Joshua and I

Psalm 147:16a He giveth snow like wool.