My first
year at school has come to completion. To
celebrate our initial term together, the all of us at the New Horizons Center
embarked on a special activity: a journey in the cable cars! The boys and
girls had never before imagined themselves suspended in the air, and we were
all quite amused to see their nerves on edge as they drifted up from sea level
to a mountain top. It was a fitting conclusion to a challenging yet
inspiring year.
The New Horizons Center experienced a number of setbacks with the children during the year. Some left the program as they continued their nomadic heritage and traveled to other lands. Others were sucked into the challenges of their communities and stopped attending the school. It is heartbreaking to see these young lives lose a valuable opportunity and it is even harder to be unable to intervene. Our comfort is in knowing that Christ’s hope which we shared with them over the past years is the hope that can reach them wherever life directs.
Despite the disappointments, there are many more reasons to celebrate a positive year. The children made significant progress in their academics and behavior. Exciting developments have taken shape in the program and new dynamics are being developed to help us better serve the communities. Most importantly, we've shared the joy of seeing young lives make personal decisions of faith.
The New Horizons Center experienced a number of setbacks with the children during the year. Some left the program as they continued their nomadic heritage and traveled to other lands. Others were sucked into the challenges of their communities and stopped attending the school. It is heartbreaking to see these young lives lose a valuable opportunity and it is even harder to be unable to intervene. Our comfort is in knowing that Christ’s hope which we shared with them over the past years is the hope that can reach them wherever life directs.
Despite the disappointments, there are many more reasons to celebrate a positive year. The children made significant progress in their academics and behavior. Exciting developments have taken shape in the program and new dynamics are being developed to help us better serve the communities. Most importantly, we've shared the joy of seeing young lives make personal decisions of faith.
I must
confess that I've done very little at the Center this year. At least it
feels this way. My weekly trips have mainly consisted of taking care of a
few administrative tasks, picking up small duties here and there, and sitting
back and watching our great staff do what it does so well. We've been
blessed with a wonderful team of teachers; each one has taught me so much about
ministry in this introductory year. My understanding of the context has
deepened and I've gained greater insight of the opportunities and challenges in
front of us. We have some ideas we hope to implement in the year ahead to
make the program even more effective.
Although my mind has grown significantly over the course of the year at the New Horizons Center, it is my heart that has undergone the greatest change. I confess that in my early weeks with the children it became quite apparent that I did not like them very much. They were a challenge and I knew that I needed prayer that God would teach me to love. Over the months a love has grown within me and I have come to see these lives with a softened heart. They truly are precious individuals with tremendous potential and courage. Life has not been kind on them, but they possess a lively spirit that serves as great inspiration. Their prayers have touched me deeply as I listened to them speak to God in a way that so sincere and authentic. Each I have no doubt that it is God who is teaching these children, not us. I look forward to a year ahead with new children, new strategies and new opportunities to take the center forward. May God continue to direct us in his enduring faithfulness.
Although my mind has grown significantly over the course of the year at the New Horizons Center, it is my heart that has undergone the greatest change. I confess that in my early weeks with the children it became quite apparent that I did not like them very much. They were a challenge and I knew that I needed prayer that God would teach me to love. Over the months a love has grown within me and I have come to see these lives with a softened heart. They truly are precious individuals with tremendous potential and courage. Life has not been kind on them, but they possess a lively spirit that serves as great inspiration. Their prayers have touched me deeply as I listened to them speak to God in a way that so sincere and authentic. Each I have no doubt that it is God who is teaching these children, not us. I look forward to a year ahead with new children, new strategies and new opportunities to take the center forward. May God continue to direct us in his enduring faithfulness.
