Family
Update—Marlayna’s
mom, Irene, came to visit for the last 2 weeks of the school year. With all the
yearend activities going on, we were very thankful to have her support us in
caring for Elleazah. Irene and Elleazah had a great time together while we
finished final exams, helped lead Senior Trip, Senior Banquet, and attend
graduation. We will be heading back to Colombia at the beginning of July to: 1.
Take 4 weeks of intensive Spanish training and 2. Begin the process of adopting
a Colombian child. Please pray that the Spanish training will be fruitful
and that the Lord will guide our steps in the adoption process.
Roles
at ECA—By
working with the class of 2013 for the past 2 years, we were given opportunity
to have leadership roles in the yearend activities for the graduating senior
class. We spent much time working through fundraising problems for the Senior
trip, logistics of the trip, and other final preparations for the graduating
class. The Senior trip was a success with the Seniors keeping a positive
attitude during their day of service at a YWAM facility, sharing their
appreciation of one another, having closure with relationships, and enjoying
various activities as a group in Cartegena. Steve ended the year having
evaluation meetings for students who have struggled socially & academically
and having a number of planning meetings for next year with parents and
administration. Marlayna enjoyed enhancing the Health and Biology curriculum
while building relationships with the underclassman. Please pray that the
graduating seniors will live out their faith as salt and light to the world and
that they will be responsive to God’s will as they continue taking steps in
major life decisions.
Looking ahead—
Discipleship—The last weeks of school
provided opportunities to have heart- to- heart conversations and discussed
issues of forgiveness, consistency in quiet times, fruit of the spirit, and
giving your life to Christ. Marlayna was able to share the gospel several times
with students from the US Embassy that had joined her small group. Steve was
given the opportunity to explicitly share the gospel with a middle school boy
from the US embassy he had been counseling for depression. A boy in Steve’s
middle school small group was receptive to heart conversations about his desire
to please people and yearned to change and live out Luke 9: 23-26. God has
grown two of the high school students Steve was discipling in their integrity,
fulfilling commitments, being more open to accountability. It is such an
encouragement to see God’s grace in the lives of students and to be a part of
their process of becoming more like Jesus. Please pray that we will make the
most of every opportunity, because the days are evil (Eph 5). We have 180 days
of school with the students, and so it is critical that we take advantage of
each opportunity to speak into their lives. Pray also that we will continue to
navigate the cultural intricacies and live a gospel that is culturally
attractive, one that does not require a person to adopt the USA culture before accepting
Christ.
Looking ahead-
·The
Lord has brought new staff to fulfill roles of Bible, English, Science,
Electives, and Chaplain. The needs at ECA next school year are still for Middle
School Computers and Middle & High School Math.
·
There
will be a few newly married couples coming to ECA this fall. God has placed it
on our hearts to facilitate a book study with them using Meaning of Marriage
by Tim Keller as they begin their new life together on the mission field.
·
Steve
and another married couple who teach at ECA will focus on creating a support
system for new students, with special emphasis on MKs and their challenges with
transition to a new culture.
·
Marlayna’s
role might be similar to this year, teaching both Health & Biology, or she
will teach only one class, depending on our options for childcare. Since all
the students she was discipling have left ECA, she hopes to begin new
relationships with 1-2 students this next fall. She is also praying about the
possibility of mentoring new teachers, since she is considered a veteran
teacher.
·
Steve
will be advising the 7th grade class (Steve has done a small group
with the boys in that grade for the past two years). We are prayerfully
considering if we are going to do a high school small group and be a high
school adviser.
Please pray
that we will connect with the new teachers coming and build unity amongst the
staff. For the mission that God has given us and the school to succeed, we need
to be unified as a team so that the students are all receiving the same
messages. Pray also that we will make Spirit-led decisions about our
involvement at the school and effectively balance ministry at home and at
school.
