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Friday, 25 September 2009

So here is the scoop with Prairie *PLEASE READ*

Written by Sheila Adkins...
As you may have heard, Prairie Bible Institute is in a CRISIS SITUATION. For those of you that haven't gotten the information, the story is this. A few months ago it became well known through a Real Estate agent that PBI was "For Sale". An opportunity for PBI to relocate to the old hospital in Drumheller was presented to the administration. This building was offered "free of charge" and has been vacant for some time as the new hospital was built some years ago. The town of Drumheller has used it for different purposes, but no permanent tenant has been found to date. The Administration and Board have felt that it would be poor stewardship not to, at the very least consider the possibility. Apparently part of that consideration was to enlist the services of real estate personnel to start the process of the sale of the present campus - including the brand new Maxwell Center.

As time has progressed it has become quite apparent that the Administration has moved far further than mere consideration. A time line of 2 years has been proposed for this potential move. It is still being publicly declared, "just a proposal", however other factors are showing that it is more of a fact waiting to happen.

The rational given by the administration and board at this point are basically that:
1) Drumheller is a bigger center than Three Hills and has more potential to develop the PCAAT program - especially in the medical fields with a larger hospital
2) There is a possibility to open a private medical clinic using our nursing/emt students to facilitate health care for the citizens of Drumheller ( including those in the penitentiary).
3) Students in the Bible College program would be more attracted to the bigger center and the perks that Drumheller would have to offer in providing work, better accommodations (off campus housing in apartments, suites, etc) and more opportunities for broader choices of entertainment and quality of life facilities (theatres, restaurants, etc). They believe that this would increase the Bible College numbers significantly.
4) The building being offered is "free" (but is in need of significant upgrading to be usable)

Apparently there is a second building for educational purposes in Drumheller. Although it has not been directly said, it is assumed that this would be the old Composite High School. A new high school has been built in Drumheller, so this builiding is also vacant. It is a LARGE, old building - very labyrinth-like and would also need some upgrading (which is why they built a new school).

Naturally many people are upset with this turn of events. I personally have not met one person that feels that this is a good idea. The town of Three Hills have raised their voice through letters to the Capital, signs plastered on the sides of businesses, and the formation of "Friends of Prairie" (1000 members from the 3 hills community). In my past 30 years I have never seen so much love between the "Townies" and "Peebs". The Friends of Prairie requested a town hall type meeting with Dr. Ohlhauser and Board members. This took place this past Wednesday, filling the Prairie Dining Hall. There were 10 individuals selected to represent different concerned groups like Town Council, the Three Hills Ministerial, Prairie Tab Congregation, Alumni, Former board members, Former staff, Local business, local donors, and founding families. Many good questions were raised, but unfortunately the answers lacked much substance from Dr. O and the Board members. They talked alot of love and support, and other subjective issues. Some of the questions and answers were:
- What do you want? Answer: (Mark Maxwell - Board chairman) Students, Facilities, Finances (Dr O) God's purpose. Also said he wanted each of the 1000 Friends of Prairie to send one student
- What does the administration plan to do to create a sense of stability (there has been little stability for the past 5 years of the present administration...layoffs, program cuts, budget cuts, etc - seems to be out of control) ? Answer: (Dr O) Change is not fun, but has been necessary to keep up with the downward trends of the Bible college movement everywhere.
- People have been hurt by current administration...how do they intend to reconcile those hurts? Answer: (Dr O) Has never had the intention to hurt but again change does hurt. He said he was willing to meet with any individuals personally to facilitate this healing
- Will a move to Drumheller continue to honor and support the original mission of PBI? Answer: (Dr O) Yes. They want long term growth. "we are not an institution, we are an idea"
- Many of the places of campus are considered special places where students met God. What will connect alumni to Drumheller - a place they have never been? Answer: (Dr O) God is not a building... He is an idea or a concept. Hopefully people can stand on the grass where the tab once stood and get the same feeling. (Mark Maxwell) - I call this the "Prairie Movement" - it is greater than any building or any individual.
- What is currently required that can't be restored, rebuilt, etc that would warrant moving to another old, condemned building in Drumheller Answer: (Mark Maxwell) Nothing.
- Public perception is that this doesn't make any sense. What plans does the Board have to convince constituents of the Board's integrity in all of this? Answer: didn't address this one very well... talked of "Due diligence" in exploring the possibilities, etc.
- Has the Board assessed the impact on the support base of Prairie? Answer: (Dr O) Yes, analysis shows that students bring in 80% of funds, 10% comes from "other revenue sources" and only 10% comes from donors... so not a significant amount to worry about.
- Can you identify 2-3 issues that make it difficult to stay in Three Hills? Answer: (Mark M) 1. More students needed 2. Location in 3 Hills not desirable 3. Program development better in Drumheller.
- It is widely felt that donors cannot trust the present administration with past finances spent. If the school moves, how can the donors trust you? What is the current administration doing to get back the trust and support of its donors? Answer: (Dr O) We want to make the decision asap and not drag out the process. Also said that to date donations are right on target.

These were some of the questions by the chosen representative, but then there was a few minutes left for open questions. The most interesting was from a current student in the Bible program. He asked how this was going to affect him. He was concerned that this would affect his housing, finances, as well as the professors. Dr. O answered that they understand that this move could very well cost them current students, but God would provide others to take their place.

Another statement by Dr. O was that "research" shows that viable spiritual formation is only possible in schools of at least 1000 students. I found that rather interesting in that I can't remember PBI ever being at that size since maybe post war days, so according to that statement, we haven't ever had a viable Bible college. Sorry to let you alumni know that...you wasted so much of your time here...

To say that we are frustrated is a huge understatement. It is felt that no one is listening to us here in Three Hills, so we are enlisting as much support as possible from outside our community... you the alumni of Prairie. Please join us in fighting for something that God has blessed for many years, that is on the brink of extinction...(fitting irony with the whole Drumheller and dinosaur connection...) The board will be meeting in October so time is critical for action now.

Dr. O has promised that he will listen to the alum of Prairie, especially in regards to the prospective move to Drumheller. Below is a list of the current PBI board members. If you care about this situation, please take some time to fire off an email or make a phone call. We really need to have the board understand the heart of the people. We feel that this is an absolute departure of the Mission and Vision of Prairie Bible Institute.

Feel free to pass this on to other alumn and supporters of PBI. We really need your help!! Thanks so much!

Sheila

Mark Maxwell* - Chair
Address: 2 Ostrander Blvd, Brampton, ON L6X 0G8
E-mail: maxwell@towerfunds.com
Phone: (416) 456-4274
*alternate info: mmaxwell@towerfunds.com; (905) 456-8558
Company: Tower Asset Management Inc., 30 Verity Court, Brampton, ON L6Y 2L7
905-456-0876 or 1-866-268-7795
Email address: info@towerfunds.com"

Wayne Nelson - Vice-Chair
Address: 2991 Southern Cres, Abbotsford, BC V2T 5H7
E-mail: wnelson@phantomscreens.com
Phone: (604) 855-1072

Jim Huth* - Treasurer
Address: 172 Greenwood Village, Edmonton, AB T8A 0Z8
E-mail: jim@huth.com
Phone: (780) 991-5003
*alt email: jhuth@pricematters.ca

Charmaine Lundall - Secretary
Address: Box 160 Trochu, AB T0M 2C0
E-mail: ivyville@telusplanet.net
Phone: (403) 443-7972

Doug Baynton* - Member
Address: Box 1536, Lloydminster, SK S9V 1K4
E-mail: doug@fbclloyd.org
Phone: (306) 825-2451
*Additional info: Executive Pastor, First Baptist Church, Lloydminster

Cynthia Cavanaugh* - Member
Address: 14658 75A Ave, Surrey, BC V3S 8Y5
E-mail: believe4you@telus.net
Phone: (604) 501-4827
*Additional info: Women Emerge, PO Box 73058 Evergreen RPO, Surrey, BC V3R 2J2
(604) 690-5899
womenemerge@gmail.com or info@cynthiacavanaugh.com"

Bev Edwards - Member (AB)

Carolyn Gowing* - Member
Address: 19 Crestwood Dr, Cambridge, ON N1S 3N8
Phone: (519) 621-8886
*Additional info: Works @ Southbridge Group, 150 Water St S, Suite 201, Cambridge, Ontario Canada N1R 3E2
Tel: 519.621.8886 Fax: 519.621.8144
www.southbridgeinc.com; info@southbridgeinc.com

Gary Habermas* - Member
Address: 64 Gentry Dr, Lynchburg, VA 24502-6608
E-mail: ghabermas@liberty.edu
Phone: (434) 534-0601 home
Work (Liberty U.) : (804) 582-2577 or 582-2099 (Office)

Len Hartzler - Member
Address: RR 2, Site 1, Box 3, Carstairs, AB T0M 0N0
E-mail: h3farms@telusplanet.net
Phone: (403) 337-2416

Bruce Miller - Member (ON)

M. David Novak - Member (ON)

Ken Penner - Member (recently resigned from the Board)
Address: c/o 4387 Old Summit Lake Rd., Prince George, BC V2K 5S4
E-mail: penner20@persona.ca
Phone: (250) 962-5136 home

Gordon Wiebe - Member (AB)

Tuesday, 01 September 2009

The problem with facebook

I post here what I can't post on facebook...so this girl to whom I could not put a face to a name asks to be my friend on facebook....probably just because I became friends with one of her friends. I see her today (after asking the person who I was with, who she was) and she doesn't say two words to me, just a friendly, three hills smile (you smile at anyone just because you live in the same town or because you both have kids). Now tell me, why would I be your friend on facebook?

Sunday, 05 April 2009

The Escape Artist

So I try to tell people what a busy curious little monkey Jakob is and their response is usually along the lines of "aren't all little boys" You don't understand, not only does he never stop but he is too smart... for lack of a better word, for his own good.
Last night we were at Ben's parents house for dinner with the whole family. The adults are all sitting at the table doing the after dinner chat thing while the children (all 8 of them are playing close by in the hall and spare room.) When this teenager comes up to the door. We think they are collecting bottles for dry grad or something when Ben's mom rushes down the to the drive way. OUR CHILD HAD ESCAPED! He can't even reach the door knob and would have had to go right past us to go out the door. So there he was, in his slippers, wet up to mid leg in the mud puddle in the middle of the road. Cheaky little monkey.

Monday, 23 March 2009

Crying it out yet again

Well, sorry to say, that converting to a toddler bed did little except give a real good shiner to Jakob's collection, when he jumped right off his bed. He loves jumping on his bed and does not love going to sleep. Here is the problem. Me, of course. I like rocking him to sleep and singing him songs. I have to say, I NEVER used to do this. He has always been go, go go and never liked to cuddle and bed time, as I mentioned before was- he was in bed and asleep shortly thereafter. In the last month, things have changed, why? I wish I could tell you. BUT NOW, there is this cuddly Jakob that comes out after he has realized that we aren't leaving his room....(well at least he is not) until the morning. And he comes and sits on my lap (sorta-the belly is getting in the way) and I sing to him until he falls into the almost sleep and then put him in his bed. I just can't stand to hear him cry. I know he is not hurt and not injured and will not be emotionally scared for eternity if I let him cry it out, but I JUST DON'T LIKE DOING IT- I also wonder how productive it actually is, because it seems to me, that it would just get him worked up rather than settled down. Tonight I let him cry long, oh I don't know, about 20 minutes and I just couldn't do it. This inconsistancy probably doesn't help either. But what do I do. This fear lingers- in that I may or may not be able to sit and cuddle with him for a half hour when baby comes. So do I do it all the more now, for that very reason, or do I establish the iron fist and suck it up?

Thursday, 12 March 2009

Crying it out

As we speak my child is crying it out. I have never let him do this but sleep has become quite the issue in the past month. Not going to bed easy like before, waking up at night and not going back to sleep unless he is in mommy and daddy's bed. Even when rocked or has his back rubbed, the moment he hits the matress he is no sooner on his feet. Baby #2 is a few months away and we need to get control because I am already exhausted. It has gotten to the point where I can't sleep when he is in my bed and I can't fall back asleep. Any thoughts? suggestions? I hate making him cry it out. Are there deeper anxiety issues that he is dealing with or is mommy just weak.