The end of the school year

The sun has set on the 2010-2011 school year at Alliance Academy. The tassels have been turned, the hats thrown in the air, the tearful good-byes have been said and the gowns are once again in the school closet awaiting another group of eager seniors. It was a lovely graduation with flags paraded through the gym representing the many nations at our international school. A tall German marched next to a petite Russian behind a delicate Chinese and a handsome Ecuadorian. Missionary's children marched next to students who had never heard the Gospel until they stepped into the halls of AAI. All 39 represent many hours of investment and much prayer as we take them through their last year of high school and begin the rigors of college selection. Part of my job has been to send out their transcripts, hoping that God would show each one which is the college he has planned for them. They will be scattered across the globe by the fall pursuing their dreams and draining dad's pocket. :) How do you explain to a B average student that perhaps Harvard isn't her best choice. Some will pursue medicine, others ministry, engineering or a military career. The variety is great. Some haven't decided and are taking a year to work. How do you measure the value of an investment in a student's life? When it is your own child, it is priceless to you when others mentor your teen through the adolescent struggles. The look of gratitude in the eyes of parents whose children have struggled and finished are supreme payment to those of us who have had to hand out detentions, send out reminders, write up demerit slips, skip part of our lunch to monitor their in-school suspension and generally put up with their general immaturity. For some it finally clicks. There is a new look in the eye, less non-sense, an obedience attitude and life begins to fall in place.

Patty and I now work in a quiet office. I miss stepping out into the hall where a science class is doing some kind of measurement calculation or students are joking at their lockers before dashing to the next class. The lockers are empty and only an occasional face peeks in the office
to see if reports cards are ready. It has been a good year. Secretarial work is not my best suit but it has been good to be a part of the team.

Next fall I will be back in the classroom part time and working in
the Association of Christian Schools International office as it is
organized in Ecuador. I look forward to new challenges
and opportunities to invest in the lives of young people.
There is much to do here. It has been calculated that there may
be as many as 500 Christian schools across the country.

July 2 I fly home for some R&R with family and friends.
I'm anxious to see my granddaughters and especially spend time with Mom. Dad passed away in August so it has been a year
of adjustments for her.

Hope your summer is refreshing too!