Sorry for the delay in sending out an update. It has been quite the summer!
Ella, Liam, and I (Marcy) were very blessed to be able to take a quick trip to the States with the goal of visiting colleges and doing other college prep for Ella. (My girl is officially a senior!!) She still has many decisions ahead, but it was really good for her to see different universities and look into their nursing programs.
Between ACT’s, college visits and doctor’s appointments we were thankful to squeeze in vacations with both sides of the family. It is an understatement to say our time together was super sweet!
While we were soaking in the rays and family time, Mike was busy on school projects. This summer saw the school hosting around 8 short-term teams from the States, the majority of which were focused on the renovation of an old dorm building which will be used as housing for teachers, as well as the construction of a new bathroom building for students. The apartments will be an ongoing project this school year but the bathrooms are close to being finished and looking great! Their only downfall, the high schoolers have lamented, is that their close proximity does not allow the girls to have deep girl-talks during bathroom breaks without the boys hearing…haha! We are glad however to get our bathrooms out of the housing buildings and part of the actual school area.
Upon our return, Ella jumped right into things, helping with Impacto and observing medical ministry teams. This summer, instead of a camp for the elderly Impacto members, the group decided to host a Senior Olympics. This was absolutely one of the most amazing events I have ever watched. The seniors were divided into “host” countries and, after an opening ceremony, participated in three days of events that included synchronized swimming, hurdle jumping, and long-jump. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries, and the participants had a great time. Many announced they were Olympians to outsiders who asked about the medals they were wearing! I couldn’t help posting so many pictures…they were just to awesome not to!
And suddenly we find ourselves in a new school year!
As Ella enters her senior year with four other classmates, Liam is beginning 8th grade. I am teaching 4th and 5th grade while Mike teaches high school and middle school science (Along with the plethora of odd jobs he does as administrator!) The 2024-2025 school year is Mike and I’s 10th year teaching at SAM Academy! Can you believe it? This school year we are blessed to be working with 37 students, 8 of whom are new to our school. This particular group has roots in Peru, the United States, Germany, Hungary, Brazil, Netherlands, Switzerland, Costa Rica, and Ecuador–it is a very diverse group!
God has always been so good to our school and we pray for His continued blessing…please pray with us!
-Pray, as Mike directed us to in our first chapel, that God would be part of everything we do here at SAM Academy.
-Pray we extend His outreach with our voices and actions in the community around us.
-Pray for those in transition: our new families adjusting to Pucallpa, our seniors who are beginning their journey towards college
-Pray for safety for our students and faculty with all the sicknesses and “jungle-city” calamities that pop up. This dry season is already bringing brush fires to the area. Our days are hot and smoky at school though we have been safe from fire.
-Pray God’s protection from the enemy over our dear missionary families as they work and serve furthering His kingdom.
Family of 4 Serving 1 