October Newsletter

Dear Prayer Partners,

As we wrap up the month of October, I do find myself missing the changing trees and the cool fall air, but I am grateful for the sunshine and for the rain that has brought us some slightly cooler weather these last few weeks. This week we finished up our first quarter of the school year. It is crazy to think that we are already nine weeks in. This has honestly been my favorite school year so far. The new discipline system I am using has been working very well for my class and I feel like I have such a sweet relationship with my students. I am excited to see what God has in store for the rest of this year both at the school and in the other ministries I get to participate in.

Updates

• On October 7th a visiting group with Agape to the Nations hosted a night of fellowship for the missionaries. It was a good time to gather together, catch up with some missionaries I don't see as often, and encourage one another. I am always thankful for groups that take time to pour into the missionaries that are serving here and give us encouragement to keep pressing on.

  

  

  

  

• On October 10th we had a special praise chapel for the Las Palmas staff members. In this chapel we worshipped together, and leadership shared some of the great ways God has been working in our school this year. They shared names of students who have been saved, baptized, or have asked to be discipled this school year. Our campus pastor shared that there are more students at Las Palmas asking to be discipled than ever before and various staff members have been stepping up to disciple each of these students so they can deepen their faith. They also shared information about Las Palmas graduates that are now continuing to grow their faith and serve the Lord by participating in Word of Life programs. It is so encouraging to hear story after story of students and families that are encountering Christ through our ministry at the school. To God be the glory.

  

  

  

• IBEM hosted a marriage conference on October 15th that was put on by Christian Family Life. The topic of the seminar was "Why Marriages Fail" and couples from Las Palmas and IBEM were invited to come and participate in this conference to learn about biblical principles for a Christ centered marriage. I was able to help lead the worship with the IBEM praise team to start off the night and I was encouraged to see many parents of current and former students, coworkers, and fellow church members in attendance that night.

  

  

  

• Many have asked about the hurricane that came through about two weeks ago. The storm developed below us in the Caribbean Sea and was slow-moving, but we were out of the path of the hurricane itself. We had many regions in the country put into "yellow alert" and "red alert" for a few days as we experienced a lot of rain and flooding. On Wednesday and Thursday that week many students and staff members were not able to make it to school because of the weather, and we had to dismiss school early. On Friday all schools were closed by the government and people were advised to stay home. My roommate and I were blessed to not be affected by the flooding, and we enjoyed some extra time at home to rest. I do know of a few coworkers that had some flooding in their homes, but there was no major damage caused by the storm that I know of. We are thankful for the Lord's protection and provision through this storm.

  

  

  

• School is going very well. I am so thankful for the classes that I have this year. Each week I select a memory verse for my A class to learn during their devotional time in the morning. A few weeks ago, the verse we were learning was Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." As we were talking through the meaning of this verse one morning I asked my students about what we can do about the separation between us and God caused by our sin. You could see the wheels turning as many of my students raised their hands and suggested trying our best to do the right thing, getting baptized, going to church etc. When they ran out of answers and were still stumped, I drew a cross on the board and explained that we can't do anything in our own strength to repair what is broken and have unity with God, but we can trust in Jesus who made a way for us to have all our sins removed and experience communion with God. Although we have discussed the Gospel many times, that morning it seemed to get through to a few of them in a new way. As I explained how they could ask Jesus to save them that day if they wanted to, I heard a few little whispered prayers from my students. It is moments like that that make all the hard days worth it. What a great God we get to serve.

  

  

  

  

Prayer Requests

• Pray for the start of the new quarter at school. Each quarter our schedule flip flops so I will have the group I typically teach in the afternoon in the morning and the group I typically teach in the morning in the afternoon starting tomorrow. I enjoy this change because it gives us a bit of a fresh start and allows me to do morning devotionals with both classes throughout the year. Please pray that the transition will go smoothly and that students' hearts and minds will be open to the Gospel as we continue to teach them each day.

• Pray for those who were affected by hurricane Melissa in the D.R., Haiti, Cuba, and Jamaica.

• Continue to pray for teachers for Las Palmas. We are still looking for teachers to cover positions this school year and our director is currently still teaching in the high school to fill an open position. Please pray that the Lord would send the right teachers at the right time to fill these positions and help us minister to our students at Las Palmas. We trust that He knows our need and will provide in His perfect time.

Thank you for your continued prayers, encouragement, and support!

Blessings,

Natasha