#8 is in the books!

It always surprises me when we come to the end of another May and just like that another school year is in the books! As we wrap up the 2022-2023 school year, however, I can proudly say it was an amazing year. When asked to sum up the school year in one phrase, the teachers said, “A well oiled machine.” This shows just how beautifully God can orchestrate all things as we sat in this spot exactly a year ago wondering how on earth we would get the next school year to come together. How thankful I am His plan is always bigger and better! As I battle my traditional end-of-year cold, I don’t have much of a voice for talking, so I will let the pictures of our last few events speak for themselves. Haha, ok, my fingers aren’t sick, but you would probably rather see the pictures than read my words anyway! Here’s a little recap…

May the 4th Be With You

A Base “Visitor”

Found hiding out under one of our trees, this “little” guy paid us a visit before being transported off campus and back out into the jungle where he belongs.

Field Day

This year even saw many of our homeschool families joining us for a day of sports and competition.

ACSI Leadership Conference

Mike and I were incredibly blessed to represent SAM Academy as one of numerous international schools from 34 different countries at an Association of Christian Schools International Leadership conference. We weren’t the smallest represented but we were close! We were encouraged and filled however, realizing the challenges and obstacles we face as a small school, many larger, more prominent international, Christian schools face as well. We left with many good resources to help us “school” better in the future!

Mazaray River Trip

Our high schoolers traveled the river to Mazaray. We have been building a relationship with the community there. The students taught English classes, painted and held an impromptu mud-soccer game with the community kids. Bathing in the river and sleeping in cramped tents also made the trip a little more interesting.

TEC Cultural Exchange

Our high schoolers were also invited to participate in a cultural exchange with a local university this month. We are so proud of our upper classmen and the example of Christ they are carrying into the community around us!

And La Crème de la Crème: Graduation!!

Graduation is always a really special night for our school as we celebrate our amazing kids that we have watched grow-up. They are family to us, like our own kids, and now they are setting out on their own path. We pray they leave us rooted in their foundation of faith, with their eyes set on the Father and their hearts set on the leading of the Spirit ahead.

Sometimes I feel like I could put our newsletter on repeat, telling about the same activities and events, again and again. But as I sat graduation night looking at the faces of each of our students, and the little brothers and sisters who will join us soon, I am reminded each year is a new year…a fresh opportunity to make the love of Christ real in the hearts of these extraordinary kids. As we send out two amazing young men, and already begin preparations for the 2023-2024 school year, and the seven new faces that will join our student body, I thank you for each school year you see us through!

Now to heal this cold and get back to work!