So much going on

So,it has been two weeks since the dorm reopened and the kids all started school. Life can be crazy so we try to make room to stop and breathe when we can; time to just sit with the kids to chat and see how they are really doing. Sometimes I have to tell myself to just sit-don't be looking at my phone, or planning menus or making lists. Just sit. And listen. Give these kids all of my attention. One of the hardest things for me is when a kid is homesick. There is really nothing I can do to "fix" that. We always have some that struggle with that and some that don't. The next break for school is March 25th. So most of the kids won't see family until then. If you think about it please pray for our kids: Yohan, Arnold, Daniel D., Daniel S., Josiah, Caleb, Seun, Hannah, Rebecca, Natasha, and Emily. (And the Erickson kiddos - Wyatt, Emma, Sophie and Cale.)

Wyatt has had the amazing opportunity to be selected to try out for a professional soccer team, Persipura. He had three days of try-outs and he did amazing. So now we wait. The coaches all have his name and number. If they want him, they will call him. Pray for God's will to be done in this.

The High Schoolers and I are getting ready for OE. (Outdoor Education). It will be Feb. 22-March 4th. This year we are going into the Ilugewa region to the Danama village to spend time with the Walok people. The past two days we have had HIV/Aids training. That is a big part of what we will do there. We will be teaching them about the virus and how it is spread, treatment options and prevention. We will be bringing in water tanks so the surrounding villages can have fresh water, teaching them about the love of God, doing kids clubs, a carnival, and setting up medical clinics along with many, many work projects. 

This is by far a highlight of the school. The entire high school will go, that's 70 students along with 8 leaders, one Doctor and two nurses, a project manager, a cook, and a guy that will oversee the whole ordeal! I am so super excited about the opportunity to go again as a leader! Can't wait. Pray for good health and safety.

Sorry this is so long. We finally have internet! Yipee! Hopefully it will last.

Love you all-

Stay warm.

Rachel

One more thing- one of our pembantus, the one that does all of the laundry for the dorm, went into labor yesterday and delivered a healthy baby boy! Yeah! But, she said she was due in March so we thought we had more time to find a replacement. Pray for us to quickly find someone that can come and work at the dorm while she is away. Thanks.

A great opportunity for Wyatt

Hey you guys. Hope you are doing well. We have jumped right into a new semester and have an almost full dorm- 11 kids (5 girls and 6 boys). A boy and a girl moved out and one girl moved in. Kids came back on Monday and classes started on Tuesday. We have kids involved in basketball practices, a soccer tournament, after school choir and band. We are excited about the growth we will see this semester and all the ways God will bring us together as a "family."

One thing you could pray about is our internet. We haven't had "real" internet in the dorm or at the school for weeks. Thankfully I have 3G on my phone and that is what we have all been using to get online. However, I only have a limited amount of data available every month so once this run out we won't have anything until next month. I feel bad for the kids who are trying to talk to Mom and Dad, and those who need to research something for school. I am not sure why there has been no internet. It is 'being fixed" or so they say. But it is frustrating.

Also we have been having fits with our computer. Garth is very knowledgeable and has been trying to fix it, but I am not sure if it is fixable.

We are also currently having low to no water. Again it is one of those things "being fixed" and we need to just be patient.

On a bright note, we had such a blessed time as a family for the Holidays. I am so thankful for every moment. Continue praying for Wyatt that he will know what God's will is for his future.  One exciting thing coming up that you could also pray for: on the 22nd Wyatt has a chance to try-out for a Junior professional soccer team!!!! This is HUGE! For those of you that don't know, Wyatt is extremely gifted in the art of soccer. He has been praying that God would use this talent for His glory. This might be his chance.

Well, I need to go. I will try to attach some pictures. Hopefully it will work.

Love you all. Happy New Year. Thanks for your prayers and your support.

Love 

Rachel

Tomorrow!

Hey you! Hope your Christmas holiday was jolly and full of special moments. We have been having a blast! Lots of great family time making memories. I love this time of year.

I have lots of pictures I want to show you but I don't have much time. Right now I want to tell you what I am most excited about. Tomorrow morning, early, we will head down to the airport and fly on one of MAF's small planes into a village called Okbab. We will be there for 4 days. I think it will be just us and the villagers. WOW! How many people can do something as awesome as this? I can't wait. Hopefully I packed enough food, and didn't forget anything important. It is in the highlands so the nights should be really cool compared to weather in Sentani.

I will take lots of pictures and tell you all about it when we return. Please pray for safety and good, cherishable moments.

Love

Rachel