Monday, January 23rd has loomed on the horizon, where everything must be ready to GO! Of course the majority of things are in place, teachers are set, students are confirmed, preparations are being made on site, our staff has all come together. Yet, perhaps more than any other year, I don't know that I feel ready (though I'm not sure if I ever do completely!) There are, of course, the usual uncertainties - Who are our students? How will they respond? What will the challenges be this year? Then there are the new uncertainties with Howard's (our director) health slowly, slowly improving, though he still a long way to go; this means, though, that both he and his wife, at this point, will largely be out of the picture for the next while course. We are grateful that both he and his wife Susan were able to make the trip from Canada and are now at home here in San Carlos, already seeing fruits of the care he is receiving here - we continue to pray for his recovery.
We are encouraged with the team of staff that we have in place this year. It includes the help of some new participants, Jake and Ingrid who come from my home church outside of Winkler, Manitoba. We have already been impacted by them, the meal invitations, the projects that are underway, their hearts for the school, and the ways that they are looking forward to contribute to CEC this school season. They will be helping in various roles, filling in some of the gaps left by the absence of others as well as contributing to the ministry with the students, both being Spanish speakers.
We are encouraged, too, with the eight students we have confirmed for this year's course. We have a bit more of a mature group this year, the majority being in their 30's and 40's (one 19 year old, and another who is a retired school teacher, the only female this year). Many come from backgrounds that were involved with various addictions but have come to know the Lord and are now serving in some form in different ministries or churches. Most come from the state of Sonora, with one exception - a young many who is from Honduras yet came up through Mexico a number of years ago with the goal of getting to the US only to come to know the Lord and settle down in the state of Chihuahua.
Every year is so distinct and different - it is difficult to even imagine what each season will bring. We have learned over the years to try to not come with too many expectations - we come with plans and ideas, things that have worked and others that haven't, making adjustments. Yet at the end of the day there still is this sense of, Are we ready? Do we know what's coming? Of course we don't and the "planner" in me wrestles with that! So, we meet, we pray, we plan, and we wait to see how God will work in our own lives and in the lives of each of the students. That's of course where you all come in as well! We invite you to pray for our students and for us as staff as we start a new school season, this coming Monday, January 23rd. Some things you can specifically pray for me would be:
* As I teach, though I have taught these classes before, each year is distinct as I find I myself have changed and learned new things; especially in the first group of classes, Spiritual Disciplines, I want to reflect what I've been learning and experiencing with those in these classes.
* Peace in the midst of uncertainty - as a "planner" and chronic worrier, this is perhaps an ongoing prayer request!
Thanks again for your continued prayers for myself and for the ministry of CEC. It is greatly, greatly appreciated! I'll keep you updated with how our school season progresses and introduce some of the students along the way as we get to know them. ¡Dios les bendiga!
