The Process of Education

Teaching, like parenting, is a process that has its ups and downs, but is driven by the remembering the big picture. I admire those who faithfully invest in the lives of young people year after year - it is a very "kingdom of God" work.

Pictured here are our graduating preschoolers at Colegio Cristiano Manto de Gracia in Nicaragua.

If you missed our last newsletter, you can see it at
  December newsletter

School picture - 2014

Just ahead of the rain, we got our 2014 school picture. Already looking forward to next year.

Consistent readers

As most of you know, our school year ends in early December.

Today, our librarian gave out prizes to the kids who most consistently used the library to read. This is positive fruit of the library program. Pictured from left to right are Luz Elisa, the librarian Marlene, Ángel, and Jean Carlos. 

We need more books! If you can help, visit our webpage and click the "Books/libros" tab.  NACE

Books!

Our library is off to a good start, but to reach our goals we need lots of good reading books - in Spanish - for kids from pre-school thru high school. If you have any or want to order them, you can send them to us either in the US or Nicaragua.

USA:
     NACE
   11625 Custer Rd. # 110-245
   Frisco, TX   75035
Nicaragua:
   Colegio Manto de Gracia
   Zona 8, del hotel Miraflores 1 c al este
   Nueva Guinea, RAAS
   Nicaragu, Central America

Computer class

After years of planning and bringing laptops down to Nicaragua one by one, we finally had our first after school computer class. Martha Moraga, our teacher, does a good job of connecting with the kids.

If by chance you missed our latest newsletter, you can see it at:
October newsletter

Basketball camp

Had a great week with our son Jonathan and his team from Texas and Oklahoma. The basketball camp was a big hit with about 80 kids participating. 

Our latest newsletter is at  news

New Kelly arrives

We're thankful to the Lord for the save arrival of our new granddaughter, Lianna Grace, June 21st. She is well as are mom Jessica, dad David, and big brother Gianni.

Preschoolers win!

This week, our preschoolers won a folkloric dance competition held in Nueva Guinea. They competed against 12 other schools from the town and the surrounding area, and is a couple of weeks will be competing in the regionals of our department (like a county) of "Zelaya Central".

Basketblall basics

Looks like the "Over 60 and under 11" basketball league, but its just the restarting of our Saturday basketball activities. Hopefully the kids will master some basics before the basketball camp in July.

Going old school at our new school

   In the days of videos and high tech, I still like the old fashioned flannel board for teaching Bible. You put the pieces up slowly and the kids really hear the lesson, and then you have them retell the story hanging the pieces themselves. Thanks to Paul Anthony for sending us the kit.                                                                                          

Here Victor helps retell how God 
told Abraham his descendents would be as numerous as the stars.

God speaking to Abraham (check out Sarah in the tent)

Evacuation drills

We had this year's first emergency drill - in case of fires or earthquakes. Basically our kids just have to run to the center of the school yard, but it was a hoot watching them.

New teachers for 2014

This year, the Lord has blessed us with 5 new 
teachers - some to replace those who have 
moved on and some for classes.

                         Sayra - 1st grade

 

Pedro - PE 

    

Janeth - 4th and 5 grade English

 

Ligia - 4th grade

 

Sujey - 5th grade

 If you didn't see our latest newsletter, you can at:
 Newsletter

New Playground in!

Thanks to the missions team from Iowa, our kids now have a new playground. Kendy, a 4th grader, won the lottery and got to be the 
first to go down the slide. Appreciate everyone that helps the school in Nueva Guinea.

Strong man

The Nicaraguan version of a strong man contestant working out.

First of week of school

Made it through the first week of the 2014 school year. We were able to set up a work area for our teachers in our yet unfinished library to do lesson planning with resources available. Soon we will have an internet connection and some computers.

Start of school year 2014

Today was the first day of the 2014 school year - lots of returning kids, some new ones in the various grades, and a whole new crop of pre-schoolers. We also have 4 new teachers this year that we think will work out well.

Building progress

We made it back to Nicaragua the 23rd or January, and are getting ready for the start of the 2014 school year. We will have the bottom half of the new building done shortly to be able to move our library in and the old library room will be the 5th grade classroom. We're really excited for the new year!