Hello friends! This is our official public service announcement that we HAVEN’T fallen into a black hole or been eaten by renegade iguanas.
So then why haven’t we written since *cough* November? (Oi…that is a long time.) Well, for one, we have been very busy being back in school!
December and January were sadly sluggish months for us. February however brought the exciting decision from our board that we could begin meeting in person again with precautions in place. The middle school joined the high school at SAM center but it was decided it would be wiser to have the elementary meet off base at another location to keep the number of students together at one time smaller . Olivia and I, the two elementary teachers, frantically put together a “school” on a base around twenty minutes away during the last weeks of January.
And then we started…
I can’t tell you the difference being in person has made for our students! This quarantine with its restrictions and constant uncertainties has taken a huge toll on our kids. Being back virtually helped keep them on track academically, but there was just a general depressed feeling that could be felt throughout our MK community. Being back just a week saw the biggest change in the attitudes and demeanors of our student body! Let me show you…
The situation here in Peru is much the same unfortunately. Vaccines have been purchased and there is a hope of distributing them among every resident by June. In the meantime, we continue with group restrictions, masks in public and curfews. The President has designated different restrictions based on the level of cases in your region. We are very thankful that Ucayali has remained in the second tier of four and not increased in COVID numbers as others have. Our prayer is for the region to soon be COVID free.
Our school was very blessed to participate in a small Christmas Outreach in December. I know I mentioned this in our last email but I want to share with you pictures of the actual event. The students made wreaths for elderly Peruvians in the community who have been unable to leave their homes due to the restrictions. The high schoolers delivered these wreaths and baskets of food while brightening spirits with some Christmas carols and special words. In the midst of COVID chaos, these smiles were a welcome sight!
Though our physical bodies have been busy, know that our hearts and minds turn to you often. We are thankful when churches and friends share with us prayer needs so that we may be in prayer for you as you have us! Please share with us any way we can lift you up.
On our end, we appreciate prayer for continued health for our school community and for protection in travel, especially as Marcy masters her Pucallpa highway driving skills (always an adventure). Also we ask prayer for the SAM Air ministry. Many of you are aware of the float plane that was demolished when a storm brought the plane’s hangar down on top of it and the fundraising goal that was miraculously met in just one month to purchase a new plane and rebuild the hanger. A new plane is in the pipeline and everyday we watch trucks go by our “new” classroom carting building materials for the new hangar. Please pray for all those at SAM Air as they work on this project while also handling a large amount of emergency flights that come in each week.
We love you dear friends, and thank you for being part of our precious ministry.
Family of 4 Serving 1 