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