Parent-teacher conferences are next week at the school, so it
feels like we are already at some kind of juncture in 2013. It also, somehow,
feels like 2013 has just begun. This year Jeff is continuing to teach all
grades computer and design classes and I'm teaching the Nursery (2 year olds) group
again. I've been freed up to help out with some of the older kids classes at
the school too. I've been helping Jeff's uncle, Joe Turner, who is here with is wife for the
semester some and also in the 3rd grade English class. In the afternoons I get to stay home with my precious nearly-two-year-old.
Outside of school I've been tutoring a few people in English
and, of course, helping out with the children's and women's ministry at our
church in Lagoa de Itaenga. Jeff continues to preach once a month at church, fix computers and
help all ministry technology needs, work on special projects with his dad, and help
lead Lagoa's youth ministry program.
Our church in Lagoa de Itaenga could really use a lot of
prayers right now! There is so much going on. During the day on Tuesdays and
Thursdays (while we're at school teaching) the church has started Music and
English classes for public school kids (who attend school half days), with the
help of Bob Fern who is here for 6 months. We have just started a major
construction project to finish some classrooms at the church and also put a
roof over our gymnasium so that it can be used even when it's rainy. After we finish the roof we will kick- off our
sports ministry outreach on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
The town has been
particularly difficult recently due to drug and gang
violence. Now more than ever the town
needs outreaches to the youth. Our
church will be heading up a peace walk with other churches to pray for the
community.
