School, Golf, Music & Family...

This past Tuesday I returned from yet another wonderful, blessed and busy trip to the states.  It’s always challenging trying to catch up on all my work, meetings AND teaching my music class, after being gone.

Here at our school I oversee the jr high and high school music classes.  After a little bit of stress and anxiety in preparing for my four classes on Thursday, I was beautifully and emotionally reminded of why we do what we do, and really, why we started the school in the first place.  To see the lives of children and teens impacted, challenged and hopefully stirred to seek out their own faith and relationship with Jesus.

While I was away, my students had 2 assignments.  One was to read through 6 different passages in the bible and write about the theme, what they learned and how the verses spoke about worship.  The other assignment was watching a fantastic documentary (that I highly recommend) called the Jesus Music.  They then had to write a summary of what they learned on the evolution and history of Christian Music.

As I read through their papers and summaries, and reflected on the discussions we had in our coffee shop, I was absolutely blown away.  What a joy and pleasure to read through and listen to their thoughts, views, questions, and even vulnerability on what they learned.  I so appreciate these classes and continue to pray that God uses things like instruments, music, songs, creativity, bible stories, documentaries, etc to stir their hearts all the more.

Our school, wow, all I can say is wow.  I can’t believe we are a month and a half into the new year.  As many of you know this is our 2nd year since we started Centro Educativo Cristiano Bachiniva.  Our enrollment jumped from 53 students last year to an amazing 93 students AND we opened a high school.  That’s 93 kinder-high school students that we have the honor, privilege and responsibility to teach, train, encourage, love on and invest in.  We have an amazing team of teachers, cooks, drivers, cleaners and volunteers that help meet the needs of an ever growing school.

As our school continues to grow, so does the need and opportunity to travel to the states.  A big part of my job is to help spread the word, teach and share stories of all that is happening in Mexico.  That comes through a variety of ways like teaching at churches, speaking at schools, meetings with donors, helping run fundraisers, etc.   

Over the past 3 weeks I was in Seattle, Florida then back in Seattle (for 24 hours).  A huge part of those 2 trips were our annual House of Blessing Golf Tournaments.  We held one in Seattle on September 23rd, and another in Florida just this past weekend.  What a blessing it was to see the tremendous success that came as a result.  Between both tournaments, we had over 125 individuals that played, dozens of businesses and individuals that sponsored, volunteers that helped run smooth events, AND THEN…we raised over $24,000 for the school.  Absolutely Incredible!  A huge thank you to everyone that showed up, prayed for, donated or helped make these events so special. 

Last week while in Florida, I also had the opportunity to share at a few Christian Schoolsl.  I must admit I was pretty nervous as each school had over 350 students at their chapels services.  One of our desires here at our school is for our students to learn about things outside of Mexico. to expand their worldview, etc.  For example, before I left, I shared at our chapel service about my trip and speaking at schools.  Some of our students were amazed to hear that there are other Christian schools, like ours, in the United States and other parts of the word.  I recorded a video of our students saying hello to the schools in the Florida and then, recorded the schools saying hello back to our students.  So thankful for technology and ways to build relationships and friendships that transcend borders and countries. It was so great to share the videos this morning with our students at our chapel service.

Finally, I did briefly mention a 24 hour visit to Seattle.  This was something my siblings and I had been planning for our mom’s 70th birthday.  When you have siblings that live all over the US, and another country, it takes a lot of work to try to gather.  Well we did it, and it was literally for 24 hours.  I took a direct flight from Florida early Sunday morning, got picked up by my brothers and then we drove to meet our sisters and surprise our mom.  What an incredible time that was filled with stories, memories, laughter, tears, italian food and celebrating a most wonderful and beautiful woman!

Well, I think that is enough for now.  Next week, I look forward to sharing more about our school’s building project, mission trips and special ways for you and others to get more involved.

Until next time,