October Prayer Letter

Hello all! Here we are almost three months in Eleuthera…time flies! God continues to reveal to us His marvelous plan. So excited to share with you what He is doing…

We started teaching at Windermere High at the beginning of September with great expectations. Getting to know the students has been fun—like “roller coaster ride” kind of fun, if you like roller coasters that is. Ryan and I have a lot of the same students. Each day we come home and discuss/confer. We talk about all of the different personalities and the mood swings we see on a daily basis. It’s true. Every single student is different from the next. Especially with teenagers! For such a time as this…

But what we really see is how desperately many of the students need Jesus to come into their lives and transform them from the inside out. Here comes the fun part…to be able to pour into the lives of the students is un-be-lievable. To be able to have such a positive influence is in-credible! Pinch me…this is our JOB! Of course we are teaching English, Literature, Science, Computer, Art, Office Procedures…but we are also doing life with them. We strive each and every day to show with our lives what it means to live for God. What an opportunity! Count your blessings…

Ryan is able to work with some adults in the community on Monday nights to help them get their Bachelor’s degrees. He is able to sit in on the class and be a part of the class discussions as well as get to know the men and women. He has loved this opportunity so much. He feels so blessed to be a part of what God is doing in the class.

We have joined fellowship with a church in the next settlement called Palmetto Point Gospel Chapel. We have enjoyed worshiping together so much. We are so excited about the opportunities God has given us there. I have had the opportunity to sing on the Praise Team with the Flunkers, as well as the boys’ dorm parent, Dale, and his wife’s brother, Usba. I am also helping with Children’s Church once a month. Isaac loves going to Children’s Church! Ryan is able to preach the Word of God on Sunday nights a couple of times a month. He is so excited about this. I am too. He is such a great teacher. We look forward to some great fellowship at this church.

Isaac has adjusted well to living here. He gets so excited on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday when he goes to his preschool, Agape House. He works really hard to please her. Such a blessing! Of course he does get sent to “the hall” for time-out on occasion—then he mischievously slips away to next playroom over and sneaks in some play time as well. We have had some good discussions with Isaac about being a leader. “Being a leader means making good choices even when nobody else is.” Let’s pray that this sticks with him!

Of course we miss our friends and family. So grateful for Skype! We have been able to talk with family and friends every now and again. However, we are still hopeful of one day being able to get on the internet at our house instead of traveling up to the school to log on. Some day…….some day soon (we hope). To stay connected with friends and family makes a difference. All the difference in the world…

So please, send us an email or a Facebook message; we would absolutely love to hear from each and every one of you. We miss you all! Anytime you think of us, send us a shout-out. When I receive a new message or email, it literally brings a huge smile to my face. And I know Ryan feels the same way.

We love you all! Thanks for keeping up with us!

Prayer Requests:
• To have an impact in some way on the lives of the students at Windermere
• Continue to adjust well to our new life in Eleuthera
• To be able to have internet at our house to stay connected with everyone
• For us to be effective teachers
• For the opportunities we have at church
• For the opportunities Ryan has with the adult college class
• Wisdom to know whether to purchase another car
• To financially be able to travel back to Texas for Christmas break

Praises:
• That we are here getting to serve in Eleuthera—we still have to pinch ourselves sometimes
• That Isaac is doing so well being away from family and his friends
• That Ryan and I are doing so well being away from family and our friends
• That financially we are managing the money from our supporters in smart ways—God blesses all of the time
• For a great start to the school year