A few days ago we experienced a bit of excitement as tornadic activity peppered our area of Texas. We were thankful that Big Sandy and the International ALERT Academy did not get hit, even though the Doppler radar indicated one passing over us. Praise the Lord!

However, one did touch down about 30 miles west of us leaving its path of destruction upon hundreds of trees and some houses in the towns of Grand Saline and Sand Flat. The Texas 6th Bravo ALERT Cadet unit is located in that area and they answered the call from their County Commissioner to begin work there today. Fourteen of our ALERT men and officers joined them to begin clearing trees from yards and off roofs. I visited them in the field later this morning and was encouraged as I watched these young Cadet men and their fathers working side-by-side with the ALERT men. The homeowner at this particular location expressed his deepest gratitude for the diligent work of these men as he reflected on the hopelessness that he had before their arrival.

I drove through the area to assess the damage and realized they can use our help indefinitely. Please pray for this ALERT Cadet unit and our ALERT men as they work in a challenging and hazardous environment.

Haiti Response: The ALERT men arrived in Lake Charles Wednesday and have begun the work with Friend Ships Unlimited. Some men are preparing a ship for lodging later in Haiti, while others are working in the warehouse sorting food and supplies. The ship, “Integrity,” will complete the loading procedure and head for Haiti today.

Our ALERT men will continue getting supplies ready for the next shipment out of Lake Charles. The STEP ladies will replace them next week.

Friend Ships Unlimited continues to put in place the logistical plans for trips to Haiti and we are monitoring this daily. It is conceivable that requests for our direct assistance to Haiti could come as early as mid-February and we are making appropriate plans to be ready when that call comes. No final determination has been made as to which men will be tasked to go. Along with our current ALERT men, we will be contacting our reserves on an as needed basis for the trips.

I will keep you informed on the progress. For now, we will continue working from stateside as much as possible to help Friend Ships pack and load supplies.

You can find information about Friend Ships Unlimited at: www.friendships.org

Mother Daughter Retreat

The International ALERT Academy is delighted to invite mothers and daughters of all ages to an exciting retreat weekend! Ladies will be inspired through meaningful sessions, encouraged through fellowship, and challenged during creative learning times. Moms and daughters will be exhorted in a variety of ways to be built with wisdom, character, and godliness. The Mother Daughter Retreat will be Thursday, February 25, through Sunday, February 28, 2010. For more information, call 903-636-2000 ext. 2101, or visit the website at www.alertacademy.com/iaa/events/mother-daughter/

New Missions Program!

Have you ever wished for a way to learn some of the basic skills and preparations needed for missions and ministry without spending years in seminary? IAA welcomes Lampstand Missions, a new program designed to give young people a significant start toward fulfilling the burdens and callings of the Lord on their lives toward missions at home or abroad! Lampstand Missions’ curriculum covers a wide variety of topics ranging from personal evangelism to wilderness first aid. A combination of classroom instruction and hands-on learning build the necessary skills for effective service. A multi-week service/mission trip will be included during the course.

Course Dates

Men’s Course: January 11-May 14, 2010

Women’s Course: Fall 2010

For more details call Edward Seale at 903-636-2000 ext. 2750, or by email at lampstand@alertacademy.com.

From the Halls of Montezuma…

We were excited to have the opportunity to honor our Veterans again this year with a free banquet and concert. Our program featured speaker Phillip Bounds, National Security Advisor for NASA, and the ALERT Chorus performed a patriotic selection of music sure to make “Every heart beat true to the Red White and Blue.” Over 400 veterans, guests, and ALERT staff participated in this year’s banquet and concert!

Family Camp

Family Camp 2009 was a fantastic week of family fun, fellowship, and bikes everywhere! We were thrilled to have our biggest group of Family Campers EVER, with 1112 people in attendance. This year’s speakers, Rick Green, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, Lew Sterrett, Gil and Kelly Bates, and Tim Coody were terrific! Although the rain tried its best, it could not dampen the spirit of this group of campers. Kudos to all who stuck it out! We are looking forward to seeing everyone again next year! Look for this year’s slideshow on the Program page! Keep your eye on the website for further updates and information on next year’s Family Camp, October 9-16, 2010.

Underwater Recovery

On October 17, 2009, Joel Talley and members of the ALERT dive team recovered a wheelchair for a fisherman at Lake Fork, TX.  The dive team responded to a call on October 16 from Wood County Game Warden Kurt Kelly regarding the former Marine and Desert Storm Veteran who lost his wheelchair while in a fishing tournament.  Captain Talley and his divers arrived on scene at 4:15 p.m.  They searched for several hours in the area the fisherman found the wheelchair’s cushion floating. The team planned to return the next day to expand the search area.

They recovered the wheelchair on October 17 at 6:08 p.m. in 34 feet of water with little to no visibility after 2 hours of searching.  The bottom of the lake was relatively clear of debris allowing the option of the Circle Search method. The divers used GPS and buoys to grid off nearly 80,000 square feet.  After debriefing and packing up their gear, the ALERT divers were able to return the wheelchair to friends of the fisherman that evening.

It is ALERT’s goal to serve and assist wherever needed in a Christ like manner. This recovery by the Aquatics program is an excellent example of how ALERT provides young men the opportunity to perform this and many other types of services while giving God the glory for the character and training displayed.

Basic Training

Rain, Rain, and more rain! Unit 42 began with 66 recruits on September 14, R-Night. It was a blessing for the Cadre and other leadership to work with each of the young men and to see so much spiritual growth in their lives. Unit 42 finished a very wet 24-hour hike in which they had a change of plans, due to flooding, and had to do a river crossing along the way. From the 1-hour hike to the 24-hour hike, even in the pouring rain, they were pushed beyond their physical limits and are forced to rely on God for their strength. We congratulate them on their Advancement and look forward to seeing what God continues to do in their lives!

Interested in ALERT Basic Training?

The ALERT program will be hosting RED CARPET DAY on Friday, May 21, 2010. Red Carpet Day is an opportunity for the International ALERT Academy to roll out the red carpet for prospective ALERT recruits, parents and siblings and provide them with an up close look at what ALERT Basic Training is like. It takes place on the day where the current Basic Training recruits advance into the battalion and become Responders. Attendees will be given the chance to hear from the ALERT Director and his wife, ask them questions about the ALERT vision, campus and mission as well as other programs hosted by the International ALERT Academy. We will hold a dedicated reception for the families, where training officers will be available to answer questions regarding requirements, aspects of training and potential ALERT certifications.

Each visiting family will be assigned a “host” from among the ranks of the ALERT battalion, who will be able to relate the ALERT experience from an ALERT Responder’s perspective, assist them in finding their way to the various Red Carpet events and sit with them at meals. If you choose to stay the night, we have guest dorms available for the entire family.

Events include:

Morning Brunch                                                   Drill (Marching) Demonstration

Skills Demonstration                                          Basic Training

Advancement Ceremony

Visiting Family Reception w/ Refreshments      Post Ceremony Meal

For information regarding cost and lodging for Red Carpet Day, ask for Stacey Smith at 903-636-2000 ext. 2101.

IAA Needs

The International ALERT Academy (IAA) has the following needs. Please be in prayer that God will meet them in accordance with his will and timetable. Many times God uses word of mouth to make needs known to through whom He intends to meet them. As the Lord leads, please discuss them with family and friends that may be in a position to help fulfill the need.

Graphics Designer or Intern – Works with the Director and staff of Camps and Conferences to design and print materials that advertise and support the Camps and Conferences mission as well as overall IAA support as needed. Knowledge of Adobe InDesign preferred. Need mature person requiring minimal supervision and available for at least a one year commitment. Great opportunity for someone who has begun or completed formal training to serve in the ministry while gaining valuable experience. Volunteer position.

Executive Assistant – Young man needed to assist IAA Director and select others. Must have an outgoing, friendly personality; available to travel; possess well above average communication skills (verbal and written); demonstrate professional phone etiquette and well organized. Volunteer position. One-year commitment desired.

Logistics – Assists IAA director and Camps and Conferences staff by providing manpower to mobilize for events, de-mobilize afterwards, and general assistance when and where needed. Must be capable of heavy lifting and working long hours during events. Volunteer position. Length of commitment is negotiable.

Volunteer Coordinator – Reviews applications from potential volunteers, matches applicants with current needs, coordinates with applicants regarding travel to and from campus and acts as liaison between the volunteer and the department in which they serve. Volunteer position.

Volunteers – Volunteers are the life-blood of this ministry. We cannot bless others in need without the countless volunteers that have given of their time and talents to come alongside us in our endeavors. Some volunteer positions that are almost in constant need are: Kitchen help (especially during events), housekeeping (especially during events), custodial help, landscape help and general facilities help. Length of commitment dependent upon availability and current needs.

All volunteers are provided meals and lodging in exchange for their service. A volunteer application can be requested for any of the above positions either by downloading from our website or by calling 903.636.2000 ext. 2101.

Vans – This ministry takes our people on the road very often and our fleet of vehicles is quickly aging. We are in need of gently used, 15 passenger vans that have several years of life left in them. We cannot accept vans that require immediate repairs.

GPS Units – We would like to equip our vehicles with GPS units when leaving for deployments, hikes, conferences, and out of town meetings. We would like to have between 6 – 10 units.

Golf Carts – Many volunteers are not eligible to drive a passenger car or truck on campus. Golf carts are an energy and cost saving method for our volunteers to use around campus in the performance of their duties.

Prayer – As always, we covet your prayers for wisdom, protection, finances and that the Lord’s will be done in and through the lives of each and every person on campus, whether serving on staff, as a volunteer or in training.

These are but a few of the many needs that exist at the International ALERT Academy; however, most needs are too unique or general in nature to list. Please contact Randy Zachry at 903.636.2000 ext 2205 to discuss these or other needs that may exist.

September 17, 2009

Abounding Fruit of Your Endeavors

Dear ALERT friend,

“But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he
that comes to Him must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them
that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

Dynamic faith requires that we act in accordance with what
we believe God intends to do in a given situation. “For we walk by faith,
not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7

A year ago, in the midst of some difficult financial trials,
we determined that God was not finished with us yet, and that He would unfold
His plans for us as we walked by faith. We praise Him for His tremendous
blessings that were poured out to us during that time. In God’s faith training
program for us, He has allowed us to face a similar situation this year.

Last fall we looked ahead at ways we could encourage more
young men and women to attend our programs. This, in turn, would strengthen our
ability to serve more often as well as increase our financial base. What we
could not see at that time was the depth and length of the economic downturn
and the affect it would have on many families who had planned to send their
sons and daughters to our various programs during 2009. We received many calls
from parents who had desired to send them, but they could not meet the
financial requirements.

Therefore, we stand with outstretched hands seeking God’s
provision to get us through the end of the year. The financial needs are
enormous, but we serve a great and powerful God.

We ask you to take this before the Lord again in prayer,
seeking what He would have you do. The key to this is found in the verse of
scripture that I have shared with you before, and continue to see as our goal in
this matter (words in parenthesis added for reference): “For even in
Thessalonica (2008) ye sent once and again unto my (our) necessity. Not because
I (we) desire a gift: but I (we) desire fruit that may abound to your account.”
Philippians 4:16-17

Our Continuing Endeavors:

Four days ago, while heavy rains were drenching our region
causing flooding in many low-lying areas, a Sheriff’s office dispatcher in the
next county called us seeking help with some swift-water rescue needs. One man
was trapped on a hill with water covering all exits from his location, another
man had called saying he was on the hood of his truck in deep water, while a third
victim was hanging onto a fence. Six of our men responded quickly with a
trailer loaded with equipment and rescue boats. With an approximate 40-minute
drive to the scene, the first two victims were rescued before they arrived. The
third person was being extricated from the fence when they arrived. They were
able to stage at one of the area fire departments for a few more hours before
returning to campus.

Meanwhile, we have also been called upon to help some
elderly people in that same area to clean up their homes following this
flooding. A team will be deployed on Saturday as the rains begin to subside.

While those men were responding to the rescue calls on
Monday, 66 new recruits were arriving on campus for Basic Training Unit 42. They
are completing their third training day and all is going well. Please pray for
these men as they face new challenges in life and as they begin to fathom more
of what it means to walk by faith.

Strengthened in Christ,

Colonel John Tanner, Director

International ALERT Academy

To support our ongoing ministry, please click on the DONATE
NOW button at the top of this page

Or, mail us at: International ALERT Academy, Faithful
Endeavors, One Academy Blvd., Big Sandy, TX 75755

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