Is This Really Happening?

There are just 5 weeks left of the 3rd year of our school. May is probably the busiest month of our school year. It is filled with our science fair, spring concerts, teachers day, students day (for jr & sr high), mother’s day, volleyball & soccer tournaments and probably a bunch more things.  It always feels overwhelming and a bit chaotic, but fun at the same time and everyone is excited as we near the finish line.

Last week I returned from another trip up to the beautiful Northwest.  It is always a blessing getting to travel up to Seattle to share about our school, meet with friends and supporters and hangout with family.  This trip was extra special since I was able to bring our daughter Ayantu with me.  It’s been quite a while since she’s traveled on a work trip with her daddy.  I must admit, it’s a lot easier traveling with her now that she’s 15 vs when she was much younger.  We had an incredible time together.

One of the things that I enjoyed the most was our conversations on the drive up to the states.  Normally I travel by myself, so the 4.5 hour drive is filled with quietness, meditation, prayers, thoughts and planning for the future . This time however, it was full of wonderful conversations & listening to my sweet Ayantu Faith talking about her school, all that she is learning, doing, participating in, etc.  She talked about what she’s been learning in history class, how preparations are going for their class graduation trip next month, what they made in cooking club and when her next soccer and volleyball games are.  She then started to talk about going into High School (she will be a sophomore) and all the things she’s looking forward to about it.  She shared an idea to have a ‘back to school’ event or something in August to welcome all the incoming and NEW high school students so they can meet new friends and not be so nervous.  We talked about new ideas for next year, things like starting a student counsel, going on a school mission trip, more student led activities for underclassman, and the list goes on.

As I listened for hours during that car ride and then different times throughout our trip, it suddenly hit me, she’s talking about OUR school.  She’s talking about the school we helped start 3 years ago.  And then a thought came to me, ’is this really happening?’  I mean, how did all this happen?  How have we gone from 53 students to 90 students to currently 107 students (kinder-high school) and a staff of 19?  How in the world are all these different classes, activities, sports, clubs, programs, trips, etc happening?  Is this really, truly happening? Yes, it IS really happening and Ayantu helped remind me of that.  She helped remind me once again, of all the incredible things that God has done and continues to do through His faithfulness of blessing and growing the school.  Amazing!

Yes this trip was a “work trip” filled with meetings, speaking engagement & fundraising for the school.  But more so, it was a special trip with my daughter that I will never forget.  During those 5 days, I wasn’t the President or Executive Director of a Non-Profit.  I wasn’t the financial administrator of a school.  I wasn’t a school board member or music teacher.  I was just a dad, talking, laughing, listening and enjoying an incredible time with my daughter.

Until next time….

Jason

A Very Wonderful Happy New Year...

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Our Christmas was very quiet and relaxing. Partly because we were all sick, partly because the final weeks leading up to our school winter break were absolutely crazy. Crazy in a good way, yet still crazy!

December was packed with final preparations for our all school Christmas Program. In the years past, we’ve had 2-3 programs on different evenings to accommodate all the students, their families and friends. This year, we decided to have one big all school Christmas celebration in the town hall. 1 night instead of 3 seemed less stressful. This was a little easier said than done with all the extra preparations that went into it, but thankfully we had an amazing group of volunteers to help decorate, and our staff did an outstanding job.

WOW … what a wonderful and special night it was. One that will always be remembered. Over 300 family members and friends filled the hall to see our 108 students (kinder-high school) share songs, stories, verses, re-enactments, laughter and joy.

After all the students presented, we closed out the evening with some special songs from our staff. We have such a gifted and talented team of men and women. Everyone grabbed an instrument, or bell, shaker, microphone, cajon, and we sang Joy To The World and Feliz Navidad. The crowd was singing, clapping, dancing, a joyous and beautiful celebration.

I am so thankful for the team that God has brought to our school who faithfully, joyfully and sacrificially love on, care for and teacher all of our students. They are a true joy to serve alongside and what a blessing it was to laugh, play games, exchange gifts, eat delicious food, drink coffee and hangout at our staff Christmas party.

As 2024 has now come to an end, my assistant (our beautiful daughter Ayantu) and I have continued working on the year end admin stuff, financials, budgets, donor statements, etc. I do love me some admin work and projects like this, but, at the same time it can be a little daunting and stressful at times. Maybe a bit worrisome. We decided to setup our office in our coffee shop to have more space and of course, be right next to our espresso machine.

This will be my view for the next week or so. I love this painting that my nephew did in our coffee shop. One of my all time favorites and a beautiful and incredible reminder. Some of our students think this is a scary painting because it looks intense or sad. Well, it is intense and sad. It resembles the incredible Love, Sacrifice, Grace, Mercy, Kindness and Forgiveness that was freely given to each and every one of us. It reminds me that God is Love, God is in Control, God will Provide, God will Direct, GOD WILL!

May you greatly remember how much God loves you as you enter into 2025. No matter what it looks like, what awaits, what kind of challenges, hardships or joyous occasions you will incur, GOD LOVES YOU!

Blessings to you all!

Jason

Happy Thanksgiving...

This past week was a very exciting and blessed time for our school and team. Last Wednesday we were invited to join all the other schools in town and participate in the annual Revolution Day Parade. What an amazing and special day it was. During the months leading up to the parade, our students worked very hard in preparation. We had traditional dances, floats and live music. After marching and performing throughout the streets of Bachiniva, the event concluded in the gym with all the schools gathered. 3 of our groups got to perform in the gym in front of hundreds of cheering family and friends. It was truly a special memorable day that we will not forget.

We also had the opportunity to host a group of teachers and students from Immanuel Christian School in El Paso TX. They did various work projects at the school as well as encouraged our staff and students with their vast knowledge and experience in education. We had a special chapel service on Monday that consisted of a time of music, reading a Psalm and then a science experiment and talk on creation VS evolution. The Psalm reading was extra special as we had it read in 4 different languages, English, Spanish, German and Hebrew (by one of the teachers that came down).

With December upon us this coming Sunday, we will shift our focus to our Christmas activities, including our Christmas Music Program. Since our school has grown so much, we need to rent a hall in town to host this special event. It will be a wonderful evening filled with music, stories, food, coffee, family and friends. The students are very much looking forward to this even as well.

Thank you again to you all for your continuous and faithful prayers, support and financial contributions. We are especially thankful on the eve of Thanksgiving. Grateful for each and everyone of you that continue to help us and our school reach and care for students and their families. May you all have a most wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family, friends, food and football. We are definitely looking forward to that as well… after a work day since in Mexico it will be classes and work as usual

Blessings to you all!

Jason