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.