A Very Wonderful Happy New Year...

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Our Christmas was very quiet and relaxing. Partly because we were all sick, partly because the final weeks leading up to our school winter break were absolutely crazy. Crazy in a good way, yet still crazy!

December was packed with final preparations for our all school Christmas Program. In the years past, we’ve had 2-3 programs on different evenings to accommodate all the students, their families and friends. This year, we decided to have one big all school Christmas celebration in the town hall. 1 night instead of 3 seemed less stressful. This was a little easier said than done with all the extra preparations that went into it, but thankfully we had an amazing group of volunteers to help decorate, and our staff did an outstanding job.

WOW … what a wonderful and special night it was. One that will always be remembered. Over 300 family members and friends filled the hall to see our 108 students (kinder-high school) share songs, stories, verses, re-enactments, laughter and joy.

After all the students presented, we closed out the evening with some special songs from our staff. We have such a gifted and talented team of men and women. Everyone grabbed an instrument, or bell, shaker, microphone, cajon, and we sang Joy To The World and Feliz Navidad. The crowd was singing, clapping, dancing, a joyous and beautiful celebration.

I am so thankful for the team that God has brought to our school who faithfully, joyfully and sacrificially love on, care for and teacher all of our students. They are a true joy to serve alongside and what a blessing it was to laugh, play games, exchange gifts, eat delicious food, drink coffee and hangout at our staff Christmas party.

As 2024 has now come to an end, my assistant (our beautiful daughter Ayantu) and I have continued working on the year end admin stuff, financials, budgets, donor statements, etc. I do love me some admin work and projects like this, but, at the same time it can be a little daunting and stressful at times. Maybe a bit worrisome. We decided to setup our office in our coffee shop to have more space and of course, be right next to our espresso machine.

This will be my view for the next week or so. I love this painting that my nephew did in our coffee shop. One of my all time favorites and a beautiful and incredible reminder. Some of our students think this is a scary painting because it looks intense or sad. Well, it is intense and sad. It resembles the incredible Love, Sacrifice, Grace, Mercy, Kindness and Forgiveness that was freely given to each and every one of us. It reminds me that God is Love, God is in Control, God will Provide, God will Direct, GOD WILL!

May you greatly remember how much God loves you as you enter into 2025. No matter what it looks like, what awaits, what kind of challenges, hardships or joyous occasions you will incur, GOD LOVES YOU!

Blessings to you all!

Jason