Monday Off

I realize I am a day late with the Valentine pic, but in China we were half a day ahead with everything, so this should help balance things out.

We had Washington's Birthday off (today), not in honor of our first President, though... yesterday was the 154th anniversary of the founding of Matagalpa... we thought it the perfect opportunity to get out and explore a little, so we drove north through the villages and towns tucked away in the beautiful mountains in this region of the country.

We stumbled on Cascada Blanca (White Falls) Eco Lodge just 30 minutes up the road.

It's back to work tomorrow, helping 243 young people prepare themselves for the tasks God has in mind for each of them... by doing the one He has called us to do!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Warmest greetings from tropical Central America to all... exciting things have been happening down here, including God's provision in His timing of two English teachers to complete our faculty.
Grace and I are now settled and ready for visitors!!

My valentine and I decided to take a circuitous route on our walk home from church one Sunday... thought we'd share!

Overdue Update

You'd think we'd have a bunch of extra time on our hands since school is out until February 8th... with us still being one English teacher short of a full faculty, and all that needs to happen for us to be ready for next Monday's first day of pre-planning, that has not exactly been the case.

We did, however, get to the scenic lookout at ‘Cerro El Calvario’ (Calvary Hill) yesterday for this photo of the two of us with our new base of operations in the background... Come see us!!

It's Official!

This was the scene Wednesday evening as Grace and I accepted the directorship of NCA Matagalpa from representatives of the Board of Directors and the person through whom God has given the school its great start (Carey Franklin, pictured far right)!

School Assembly

To give you an idea of the size of the school I've been called to lead, I'm sharing these pictures taken in the assembly held this morning... at right, the Art/Music teacher leads the entire student body (205 strong), plus the faculty and a few parents in song.  Below is a bird's eye view of the same assembly.
Officially, I take the hand-off one week from today... next year's projected enrollment: 250 (in grades K-10th)!

Settling In

We were awakened our first Saturday in Matagalpa by the sound of construction going on just outside our front door... when we opened it, this is the scene that greeted us!  The neighbor across the street is putting a second story on his house; the truck is there to haul away all the debris created in the process! 
Meanwhile, Grace and I have been scrubbing and organizing our new apartment to make it feel more welcoming for guests... you!

Not Forgotten

One of the many things that have warmed our hearts and made us feel welcomed was this plaque that one of the NCA families gave to honor my first wife, whose ministry to the school included the building of two prayer gardens on the campus (with the help of a team from Westside Baptist Church)... the Maranhaos credit the prayers of their daughter for their joy in the Lord, and the fact that they are still married and celebrating their 29th anniversary today!