May: Capping off a Great Year

The final month of the school year finished, per usual, with some stressful and exhausting moments. That is the norm for teachers and students at the end of the school year. Sometimes the exhausting things are good things, like end of year celebrations, while other times it can be really tough, like saying goodbye to staff members and students who are moving on to life after Highlands. Either way we write this now while back in the U.S. and on vacation until July 28th. We are in rest mode, and as we reflect on the month of May we find ourselves realizing how thankful we are for God's goodness all year.

We are so thankful for how God has blessed us with a beautiful and healthy little girl in Adeline. We are so blessed to be in La Paz and at a school where we can sing His praises and speak of His goodness. We praise Him for the growing relationships with students and staff, and are incredibly thankful for the provision He has provided for us to stay in Bolivia for another year and serve. Mark now finished six years and Audrey has completed five years at Highlands (Addie understandably only four months). The end of the year, while exhausting, was a celebration of His goodness to us and the work He has done both in us & through us.

We are especially thankful for our little girl who helped Mark clean up his classroom, and helped Audrey pull off a successful graduation ceremony at the end of the school year.

Some of the major celebrations of the month were celebrating the 11 seniors at their graduation, which Audrey as guidance counsel was in charge of, and then a wedding of two of our staff members. Both were great celebrations that featured Christ at the center.

Lastly we had to say goodbye to some departing staff. It will be sad to see them go, but we recognize that each of them are just like us. We are all listening to God's call and will for our lives and then seeking to obey. Therefore May was filled with bittersweet goodbyes for some of our fellow Highlands teachers who will be moving on to new things next year. We take peace in knowing that they are moving on in obedience, just as we are staying in obedience.

God is good, all the time, and we are so thankful for His goodness to us. He is the rock on which we stand. We trust in Him through whatever uncertainties and storms may come our way. He has been faithful. As Bolivia enters into more dire circumstances, due to both economic and political factors, we remain in Him, our God who is sovereign. Please continue to pray not only for our ministry in La Paz, but for the country of Bolivia as well. Things are looking bleak to many and the upcoming scheduled elections in August are sure to bring further complications.

Thank you for keeping up with us, and for the prayer and support we feel. Let us know if we can be praying for you, or if you would like to meet up this summer. God Bless.