"My mom found a cocroach and so we bought bug killer. My favorite color is purple. My sister doesn't eat all her food."Andrea spouts out to me on her way to the swings. This last month in Caracas has been a whirl wind, much like the whirl wind of kids on the play ground everyday. Two weeks of orientation and two weeks of school behind me. I have seven four year olds in my class, five girls and two boys. They are so cute. Teaching preschool is a challenge, teaching preschool in English to nonenglish speaking children is a real challenge. I am having a great time trying to figure out the best way to teach my kids english and preschool things and challenge those that already speak English. I am excited to watch my students grow and to watch how I grow in these next few months. I'll keep you posted.

Have you ever had the experience where while you were reading the Bible you felt as if though God came down and wrapped His arms around you and whispered the words you were reading in your ear? Well I had that last night as I read Isaiah 41:10 and it says, " fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God, I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand".
Isn't great to know the God we serve not only goes before us but promises to be with us and to help us and uphold us. I know that as I head to the unknown I get a bit nervous at times. Especially when the known changes. For example the preschool teacher I was supposed to be under decided not to return, which means I will not be having the typical student teaching situation. I will be teaching Kindergarten with a lot of supervision and help from other teachers. I am excited to have my own class but nervous all at the same time. So that verse jump off the page at me, it was as if God was telling me, do not worry, I am going with you, I am going to help you reach every child where they are, I will help you when interacting with parents, I will uphold you when you are tired and weary. I will be there through all the unfamiliar. Another thing that comforts me is knowing there are many people out there praying for me. So here are some things you can pray for...


Prayer Requests
Traveling and going through customs can be like having teeth pulled with out novicane. Please pray that everything goes smoothly and we don't have trouble with customs or getting visas.
Please pray that I will rely on God and cling to Him everyday.
I want my class to be God's class, but I need to be sensitive to the spirits leading in order to allow that to happen.
Pray for strength as I will have a lot of work to do in order to meet student teaching requirements and the schools requirements for a full time teacher.
Pray for clear guidance from the Lord as I pray about the possibility of staying on at the school full time. I plan on returning to the school to complete the school year in Venezuela as long as everything works out. Pray that God makes it clear to me that He wants me at ACIC.
Pray for my parents because letting go of their little girl isn't going to be easy, my mom cries often and I haven't even left yet. Pray that God comforts her.

Thanks for praying. I can not wait to get there and meet my students and the other teachers. I'll keep you up to date and post some pictures as soon as I have some.

My favorite packing tool... space bags!

keeping you posted

Summer is flying by before you know it I'll be in the air on my way to Venezuela. I wanted a way to keep you all posted as to how things are going while I'm in Venezuela. So just keep checking because I will be updating it regularly.

A little more detail about Acedemia Christiana de Caracas:

It is a very small school last year they had 60 students in preschool - 12th grade. Join us in praying for 100 students for this coming school year. Because the school is so small many of the grades are joined in combined classes for example 1st and 2nd grade are together, 3rd and 4th grades are together and so on. That is why I will be working with both the three and the four year olds. This makes extra work for the teacher because they are teaching two grades in one classroom. While the school may be Christian many of the students and their families are not. Teachers at ACIC have the opportunity to serve the international community beyond the classroom as they reach out to their student's families.

Here is there mission statement:

"We exist to provide education that empowers each student to independently operate in various cultures, serving the people of all religions, and excelling in various levels of learning. Our academic goals will challenge students to become critical thinkers who reason according to the truths established by a Biblical worldview, and to be able to clearly communicate their knowledge in both English and Spanish.

ACIC has the freedom to not only teach to the intellect of the student but to the whole student. The Post Modern world has made it taboo to talk about religions in school today. And yet, there is no greater deficit in our societies than the need to provide each individual with the tools to find out the greater truth in life, and thus build their purpose on eternal things. ACIC not only teaches the mind to desire truth and to look for it in all areas of study, but to realize that it is attainable and life changing. In fact, in just this past year five new parents have commented to me how their child has completely changed, even in his/her character at home"

I am very excited to be a part of the life transformations that are happening at ACIC.
Thank you for joining me in ministering to the students and their families at ACIC, I wouldn't be able to do it with out your support.
I'll be adding some prayer requests soon. Thanks so much for all your prayers and support!