The week in review

Sunday
I was in a car accident, while riding as a passenger in a friend's car, a few minutes after leaving Sunday church meeting. Thankfully, no one had any serious injuries, although we certainly have had our aches and pains this week from the battering we took in the crash.

Tuesday morning
We have received five used macs (computers) which were donated to the school by some dear friends of mine in California. The children at my church there had raised the money to ship the computers during their VBS last summer. Tuesday morning I went down to the airport where the computers were being held in customs to pick them up.

The teachers are very excited about having a computer in each classroom now. During the Christmas break, I'll be doing some training with them to show them how to use the computers effectively. We hope to have a computer at each teacher's house, eventually, so that they can develop their computer skills, and create new curriculum.

Tuesday
The children's Christmas program at the school was wonderful. The children themselves enjoyed it very much. The next day the parents were calling and even coming by, to thank the school for this special program. Most, if not all, of the deaf students, had never participated in any kind of program on stage. Being deaf means being excluded often, and a lack of opportunity to do the normal childhood things. The parents had tears in their eyes, seeing their children up there for the first time. The deaf students signed "Joy to the World."

Wednesday
We had our annual Christmas party at the deaf school. We brought the group over from the Sabana Perdida school, to reunite with former classmates. There were games, candy, a nice meal and gifts for each student. Vision Trust provided funds for our party, for which we are very thankful. The kids had a lot of fun, and we teachers had perhaps even more fun watching them having fun!

Thursday
Vision Trust provided the fixings for a Christmas meal at the school in Sabana Perdida. Some of the children did not eat all of their food. Instead, they set aside a portion to take home to their moms. It was very touching, and impressive to see how the children were concerned for others. One said "I want to make sure my mom has something to eat when she gets home from work."

A gift arrived designated to helping one or more families at Christmas time. Part of the money went to help the family of one of our deaf students recover from the recent hurricane's effects.

A second amount was given to the mom of another of our deaf students. When she received it, she said that the children had eaten some bread brought over by a neighbor earlier in the day, and she was wondering what she was going to be able to give them for dinner, as there was no food or money in the house. This mom is a faithful worker at the school--the one who is always ready to serve when anything is needed. I was blessed in being able to distribute this love offering where it was very needed.

Friday
The good news is that the pilots are okay. The bad news is that the small plane that brings in our mail and mission supplies went down close to the Bahamas yesterday. Please keep this situation in prayer. Agape Flights hopes to recover the plane.

We are uncertain at this time of exactly what will happen with our mail service over the next weeks, as that is their only plane, but very thankful that everyone was okay. They brought in three plane loads of cargo this week, and were on their return trip, to the US. They usually stop in the Bajamas on the way back.

May you all have a very blessed time with family and friends this Christmas!