The past few weeks have flown by as we wrapped up furlough and headed back to Pucallpa! After six days of unpacking our house, setting up classrooms, having teacher meetings and reacclimating to the heat, we dove in to our first day of school and now have our first week of classes on the record books. To say I am glad for a Saturday to take a breath is an understatement!
What an amazing furlough we had! We are so thankful for the time, though brief, that we were able to spend with our friends, family, supporters and churches. We left feeling encouraged and reconnected, but saddened as well to say good-bye to so many special people that we love so much. One of the biggest struggles for me about this life is living with my heart in two places, and now as my kids are older, they feel that pull as well.
Being home in Pucallpa, we were quickly excited again to dive into the wonderful ministry God brought us to and continues to see us through. We were immensely encouraged by the amazing staff here at SAM Academy who worked through the summer doing much needed repairs. We were also overjoyed to meet our new co-workers that God brought to the field in impeccable timing! The VanOosten family moved onto the base this summer and it has lifted my heart working alongside Cristy, our new elementary teacher.
The first day of school our school principal asked all the kids who had had Ms. Marcy as a teacher to stand up. My heart leaped watching elementary, middle school and high school students stand up, kids I have loved and cherished over our seven years here at SAM Academy. Each year brings its own unique challenges: pandemics to manage, student needs to attend to, teacher holes to fill…and floor holes to patch. But each challenge is worth it being here for these amazing kids and supporting their families’ ministries through the attention we are able to give their kids.
So will you pray with me for this school year?
Pray for the teachers–for health, creativity, patience and especially wisdom as they teach and disciple.
Pray for our students–for minds that grow and stretch, for healthy bodies that fight off sickness and deal well with the heat, and for hearts that latch on to Jesus and anchor in Him.
Pray for our school families and the works that they are doing–that God’s Word may shine brightly in the darkest reaches and truth defeat the lies of the enemies.
Pray for all of us–that whatever Satan throws our way this school year, we stand firm, anchored in the Truth and love of the Lord.
2022-2023, here we come!
Family of 4 Serving 1 