Aloha from Peru!

SAM Academy celebrated our 2nd annual homecoming this weekend with a Luau theme. Our students had a great time competing in volleyball, hula hoop, musical beach towels, tourist relay, soccer and much more. Victoria helped her team win the competition by placing 1st in the hula hoop, musical beach towels, and the limbo activities. We ended the evening with a Luau dinner and dance. It was great fun! We honored our two seniors, Amy and Jacob.

We also had Open House this past week to welcome the newest family to our school, the Listros, who have five kids grades 1st-7th. The other parents came to see what their kids have been up to in classes. It is always such a blessing when we all get together for fellowship and some much needed "down time".

Visit to Santa Rosita (indian village)

We had an incredible trip today over the jungle out to an indian village (Shapibo). Someone watched my classes for me so that Victoria and I could join the team on the trip. We rode in a Cessna 206 FLOAT PLANE which was a first for us. We took off from the lake at Cashibo and flew over the Ucayali River (major tributary of Amazon River) and out to the village where we landed on the river. What an awesome sight! God certainly is the Master Designer. The kids in the tribe ran to the shore to greet us; they were so precious. They grabbed our hands and led us around the village. The kids played with them many games and sang songs. I got alot of great pictures. As we left, my heart ached b/c these children will never see the majority of the world outside of that village. I looked into their eyes which hungered for attention and love. I asked Victoria if she thought we could live out there for a school year and educate them; she did not seem so sure about that. We even got to touch a baby SLOTH!!

It was a busy day getting everyone where they needed to go, but I sense God really worked in many ways. The ladies on the team shared this a.m. at a girl's club in San Jose (near Pucallpa) and visited homes in the community. Later they went on their flight and then returned for their meeting and dinner before they speak again this evening to the group of volunteers at Latidos de Esperanza (the pregnancy ctr.). Jeff was busy with plumbing in the a.m.; Kyle spoke this afternoon to the men at Mision Santiago (drug rehab), and one of our HS students translated for him. I am so proud of Jacob and his willingness to use his gift of the language here.

What a treat it was to have the time off from school to see the native people today.

A new adventure

Well, I am sitting at the Pucallpa airport getting ready to leave for Lima. We have a group from loganville, GA coming; they are our first visitors ever! We are very excited. Our mission's pastor Kyle Berry and his daughter Tori (Victoria's friend) are in the group. Unfortunately Rick Wages (Santa Claus) is not coming due to a back injury. This has been a crazy week once again. I found out yesterday that the teacher who was suppose to be coming in Jan. is NOT coming. Honestly, I have no idea what I am going to do. Either Satan is trying to attack us or God is trying to stretch us. Either way---I really need prayer!!! I am feeling overwhelmed at the thought of all 12 grades by myself.

We have lots planned for our group. We are hoping they will survive the Pucallpa heat and the incredible storms we have been getting. This a.m. at 4:30am the sky fell out here. It was intense until about 1 hour ago. My flight has been delayed a bit, but Lord willing--I will get to Lima to welcome them and get some errands done. For now....

Cooling off!!

Hey everyone! While the temps. here are close to 100 degrees this week, we are able to cool off a bit thanks to LCA. The picture is of our new air conditioner which is in our library. It replaced one that was 10 years old and not working well at all. We now have 6 beautiful computers (3 with flat screens) and a new printer. The kids are soooooooo encouraged by these new items. They are so appreciative of your prayers for them as well. We are having T-shirts made this week (yes, LCA they arrived in the mail, yeah!!) with our new logo, verse -Eph. 2:10, and a paw print on the sleeve to represent our mascot as well as LCA's mascot.

Walk Like an Egyptian

Well, we are all better and back to school. As you can see by the photo, we are studying Egypt in World History. We watched a mummification process today and wrapped ourselves to be like King Tut who we read about. It was great fun! Classes continue to go well. Today was a banner day in accomplishments--we installed 2 new ceiling fans in my room, we now have wireless internet (a major accomplishment here), we have all computers up and running with everything installed, we have 110 outlets in our classrooms now, and of course all in between the normal class hours. Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.

Thank you so much for all your prayers. Our heavenly Father has heard them and He continues to provide for us daily in the most incredible ways from the smallest detail to the largest. We are so excited about our very first visitors who will be coming on Oct. 8th. One of the goals is for us to get hot water in our sinks in our house--what a treat! Keep believing we serve a mighty God--He is more than able~! EPHESIANS 2:10 OUR SCHOOL VERSE

A Wild Week

Wow! Last week was unbelieveable. On Monday, we welcomed our 4 new German students and tried to get them settled in to our routine. We called back to the US to thank our friends at LCA for the wonderful new computers we purchased thanks to them. They are great! The kids were sooooooo excited. What a difference it has made already with our classes. We also found out that a student had come down with a very high fever (104) in the night and was going to the hospital that a.m. The results were highly contagious; she was put in quarantine for 7 days. On Wed. the next student came down with it. Wed. afternoon a huge storm hit right at MS/elem. lunch period. The rain was so heavy we could hardly see and it was coming from every direction. Power went out (as it did 3 more times during the week) and it got really dark. I rescued the elem. kids from the dining hall with my one very large Georgia umbrella (thanks Rick and Kim), the HS girls were screaming with every crack of thunder and lightening, and MS just made a run for it getting soaked. The classrooms were a mess since we have only screens. We shoved everything to the middle and waited it out. I ended up taking 3 kids home that afternoon b/c dad could not get into town. I had a meeting with another parent shortly thereafter. We canceled prayer meeting due to the sickness, the trees that fell and we were busy with clean up.

Next day, another student and a part-time teacher got sick. I canceled school for Friday and told everyone to stay home and get rested. Another student down on Saturday with fever. Victoria and I felt kinda yukky over the weekend, but we heeded the advice of the school administrator (I heard she is smart :) ) and rested. We were fine by Monday--PTL!

Other than that...it is pretty boring here. Thanks for your prayers.

New school year

Wow! What a great start to the school year! God is sooooo good. The Open House went well, and the kids were very excited to get their school supplies donated by the kids at First Baptist Church of Greenville, Mississippi. Thanks!! We are still waiting the arrival of the German family which will be next week. The two German translators are here though; they are so sweet and helpful. God will help us endure I know though our schedule is very full. I am teaching 1st-8th Lit., Spelling, Bible, Writing, math and 4th-12th grade World History, HS Bible, and 4th-12th Drama and Speech. I love the challenge and it keeps me on my toes. God has so stretched my days since I have been here enabling me to plan and prepare. Victoria has adjusted as well; Copper still thinks, well I do not know what he thinks. I know he is hot. Thank you for your prayers everyone and keep in touch.

What a summer!

Well, it is almost time to head back to Peru. We leave on the 22nd. It has been a busy time these last few weeks, but our time of fellowship has been wonderful. God provided plane tickets for us too. We have so many people to thank: Loganville Christian Academy, First Baptist Church Loganville, Covenant Academy, Springhill Methodist Church, Dr. Hill, Laurenburg Senior center in NC, many friends who have opened their houses to us and fed us (like the Gackles - pictured), First Baptist Church of Monroe, Monroe Church of God. We have certainly shared about our ministry this summer. We put 2,900 miles on our car and borrowed someone else's car for our roundtrip to FL to see family which was so fun. Leadership conference put on by ACSI was fantastic--you should be at next year's. Dr. RIchard Blackaby spoke and WOW!!! Please keep in touch this year with us and continue to pray as my work load is about to balloon. I will be teaching 1st-8th now in addition to running the school since we are low on teachers. Pray God will provide helpers.

Enjoying the US

Hey Everyone! Our time in the US has been full!! We are not believing we are in the 3rd week on July and will be heading back to Peru in a month. We have had fun with grandparents in NC, completed 2 weeks of training in SC, had a surprise b'day party for me 2 days after getting back which allowed us to see many friends, spoke at a community center, a doctor's office, church (today) and will be speaking several more times in the next 2 weeks, some much needed down time, dinners and lunches with friends (new and old), going to yard sales, and enjoying the Fourth of July which is one of our favorite holidays.

We will be traveling this week to Florida and I am going on to Colorado for a leadership conference and back to FL to visit and get Victoria. We will be leaving for Peru (thanks to a generous donation today at church) on Aug. 20th. God has been so faithful in the midst of this struggling economy b/c HE WILL NOT BE LIMITED BY ANYTHING!! I knew He was going to do great things this summer, but WOW, He is really bringing it all together so we can return and begin another school year at SAM Academy. Blessings!

SAM Academy Graduation 2009

Well, my first school year as administrator came to a close last week in grand style! Our graduation program was very nice, and as I write this our senior is on her way to Japan to spend 6 weeks doing mission work on then on to college in the US. Victoria and I are spending a week here in Lima relaxing and spending some quality time together before heading to the US as our summer schedule is going to be quite busy.

crazy week at SAM Academy

Crazy week was loads of fun for the students, but I think we teacher (esp. me) enjoyed it the most. It just goes to show that I am not as serious as everyone thinks. We had crazy hair day, wacky tacky, disney day (I'm the teapot from Beauty and the Beast), dress like your parent, and PJ day.

Almost the end of the year

Wow! I cannot believe the school year is almost over. What a journey it has been. This time last year I was beginning my language study in Costa Rica. We have only 4 weeks left, and I can say I feel really good about my first year as an administrator. I am still learning and have lots to improve on, but all in all-- I can see a difference in the school. I have big plans for next year and am working on them already. I hope to have most everything completed before we head back to the US on June 11th. We will more than double in size; however, we are going to be short on teachers, so I will be teaching alot more. As it stands now, I will be teaching Middle School (grades 4th - 8th) Science, Math, Language Arts, Spelling, BIble, Literature, and World HIstory to grades 4th - 12th. I will teach HS Lit., and I will also be helping with some of the electives with High School. Hopefully, I will still have the time and energy to complete my administrative duties and continue improving teacher's training and keep a balanced budget.

It is a good thing God is able because I am not getting any younger. You can definitely pray for me that I will continue to lean on the Lord and stay disciplined in my walk with HIm.

Victoria is doing great! She is finishing the year strong as always. We are looking forward to being back with friends and family in the US this summer. We will do our best to see everyone who wants to see us. First stop is Loganville for a few days and then on to see my mom and dad in NC. I also have training in SC for 2 weeks at the end of June, and then back to Loganville.

These past months have been busy here. We have had conference in March, the board of directors visited from the US this past week, the funeral of our fellow missionary, completing our paperwork for residency in Lima, compiling book orders for next year, and getting ready for graduation. I have been teaching in town every Tuesday a.m., and my Bible study just ended last night after 17 weeks. I took the ladies out to dinner and we shared what names for God have impacted us the most in this study. I am in awe of how God has used my past and this study to strengthen others' lives. Praise HIM!!!! I will be sending out a newsletter soon. THanks for being patient. God bless and thank you for all of your prayers!