January 28: In Prep Mode

Gearing up for school:
Today we spent time meeting with Anna at El Puente about the upcoming semester that starts on February 11.  Exciting things are happening as new families express interest in enrolling their kids for the new school year and the school’s construction project will likely start this semester too.  Details are still being worked out about who will teach what and what our exact roles will be for the coming semester.  We covet your prayers for:
*Director Anna as she has lots of details to organize in the next two weeks regarding returning students, new students, and how to divide students/classes according to available teachers, schedules and space
*Three days of teacher training that Jane is helping out with on Feb. 6-8
*Continued progress in El Puente’s building campaign and upcoming construction project

Gearing up for Kids Camp:
We also spent time today buying and organizing supplies for Kids Camp.  We leave tomorrow at 1pm and will return Thursday evening.  We covet your prayers for:
*Safety and good health for all campers and helpers
*The adjustment of sleeping away from home without a parent - this will be the first time for most of the campers
*Campers’ hearts to be open to what they hear about God’s love for them and His promises
*Lots of energy and patience for the cabin leaders and adult helpers and that the children can see our love for Jesus through our actions and words.
*The 7-9 year old girls in Jane’s cabin:  Albrisia, Alexa, Yatziry, Tracy, Wendy, Ashley and Sophia
*The 7-9 year old boys in George’s cabin:  Deylan, Miguel, Daniel, Nikson, Sebastian, Emanuel

Update on Seeds of Hope:
Anna has graciously allowed me to leave El Puente by 11:30am on Tuesdays so I can spend the afternoon out at Seeds of Hope (see this previous blog post if you don’t know what I’m referring to).  Since we had already committed to the Kids Camp this week, I will not start until next week Tuesday.

Smile of the day:
Hearing this prayer at lunch from one of our kids:  "Thank you, God, that we can splurge and have dill pickles for lunch".  I love how going without some of our ‘normal’ things from back home can give a new appreciation for the little things :)