September & October: In the Thick of It.
We have been in the thick of the first semester. Full of events and busy with all sorts of opportunities, September and October have kept us incredibly busy. The good news is that we are busy with good things. Things that the Lord has provided and things He has used. God remains faithful in providing the strength we need to sustain us through this busy season. A highlight for Mark was the three-day hike of the Takesi Trail through the Yungas Mountains with many of the juniors and seniors.
These hikes are always a major highlight for Mark as he leads students on a three day journey through God's creation while being able to disconnect from phones, media, and other distractions. The hikes also become excellent avenues for Christ-centered conversations and relationship building and this year was no different.
After Takesi, the busy season continued with a basketball tournament put on by another missionary who works up in El Alto. The tournament was not only a success because of the first place medals that Mark's team was able to secure, but also for the conversations and mentoring that Mark was able to have with his team during and between games. A couple of the players Mark has been coaching since they were in 8th grade and now they are seniors, so it has been really cool to see how God has used basketball to further our ministry here.
While the tournament and the hike were larger events, the day-to-day remained seemingly even busier. Things like Spiritual Emphasis Week, bench painting, and community service days kept us both very busy. It was encouraging to have some former teachers bring a group from their church in Mississippi down to lead a special week where they gave various chapels and sought to encourage both staff and students. Community service days also provide opportunities to live out our core values of Christ-like compassion and servant leadership. They also provide opportunities to work alongside the students as we serve the community. This year Mark took a group to help clean and organize a ministry headquartered up in El Alto. Other events included day-to-day events such as October Olympics, parent-teacher conferences, and a community Volleyball tournament that spanned three different Saturdays. These things have kept us busy, but also keep us connected in our relational ministry to the Highlands Community.
We don't think November or December will slow down that much, but that is life here in La Paz and working at Highlands. Although busy, it is full of opportunities to serve. Audrey continues to serve while pregnant (which is super impressive) with our next child due at the start of February, and we know life will only get busier when that day comes. Until then, we continue to pour out into the people that God has put before us. Mark has had two different former students reach out to be mentored, and that has provided some excellent opportunities to point young men towards Christ. Although it is another thing keeping him busy, it is a thing that is good and should be celebrated. We do celebrate the many good things that God is doing with our time here. Much like the recent World Series Champion Milwaukee Brewers, we persevere and are relentless in our pursuit to serve God as we strive towards the goal.
Thank you for taking the time to keep up with us. Please pray for the pregnancy, our ministry and the energy to do it, and continued guidance as young parents raising a little one in a foreign country away from home. God Bless.
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