| Family and
Friends,
First of all, we'd just like
to say hello to those of you who we haven't communicated with for quite some
time. I'm sure you're surprised to hear from us.
It's Friday and evening, and
Sabbath is just around the corner! We have had a remarkable week here in
Guam. We're exhausted, encouraged, and excited...
We have spent the last couple
of weeks putting in some hard work to get our campus set up for school. As
most of you know, the typhoon that decided to stop by Guam for a visit over
the fourth of July made quite an impression on our school (see the pictures
attached). The tin roof was torn off in several locations. The covering for
the breezeway over the locker area was flung about 70 feet where it landed
on the Bible roof, and the administrative offices were put out of commission.
Imagine the surprise awaiting our new principal who arrived about a month
ago.
God has blessed our school and
community so much. Our new principal has an incredible amount of construction
(even a degree) in his background, so that has been a blessing in itself
for our school. He knows what needs to get done and how it needs to get done.
About 75% of the school is going to be getting a cement roof to prevent future
roof loss and flooding. The offices have been gutted and there is an entire
new floor plan in the making. Our current office is in what is supposed to
be the principal's house for this year. Tim's office was located in the part
of the school that was hit the hardest by typhoon Chata'an and it no longer
exists. It was sandwiched between the music and science room. The three rooms
are now one BIG, empty, roofless space. His Bible room is also getting a
makeover since that's where the breezeway roof landed. Most of the other
secondary rooms (including mine) were okay.
During this past week, we have
been moving classroom belongings to the appropriate room. Five days after
Chata'an passed, Guam was threated by another typhoon. With the damage that
had already occured, volunteers gathered together to rescue the school from
further destruction. How did they do this? By packing items for three to
four classrooms into a "safe" room. For example, the English classroom had
belongings from the music room, kindergarten room, Bible room and office,
and science room in it. The First grade room had the entire computer lab
AND library moved into it along with all of the items belonging to first
grade and a few from the science room. Since some rooms still won't be able
to be used right away for school, teacher's have been given any available
room. Normally, elementary is on one side of our C-shaped school while the
secondary is on the other. Moving belonging back to their respective rooms
took quite a while as you can imagine. We were finally able to get the English
room emptied on Wednesday afternoon, so it could be prepared for school.
Tim also got moved in to his temporary Bible room which is located in the
elementary. It's been such an adventure.
All of the work we've been doing
has been draining, both physically and mentally. Stress levels have been
high, but spirits have been positive. Despite all that's happened, there
is a strong sense of unity here in Guam. The support from the community and
churches has been unbelievable. Our staff is wonderful. Tonight, to bring
in the Sabbath, we had supper at GAA with the school board and staff. Afterward,
we went around to each classroom as a group and prayed for the teacher of
that room, and we prayed for all of the students that would be learning in
that room. It was such a blessing.
There are still a lot of
uncertainties, but we're stepping out in faith knowing that God will supply
our needs. While school repairs have been constant since after the typhoon,
the major cement construction hasn't started yet. The project is projected
to take about six weeks. It will cost more money than we have. We've been
able to receive approval and some monetary help from the mission/conference
and division offices, but it's going to take more. We'll be starting a
fundraising campaign in a couple of weeks to raise the money needed to fully
repair the school. As a result of school starting late and the construction
going on, our enrollment is much lower than last year. We're praying that
more students will return to GAA or try it for the first time within the
first semester after the construction is completed. We know that God has
great things in mind for our school this year and in the years to
come.
Classes will begin on Monday.
While we're excited for another year, we (and the entire staff) are exhausted.
Please pray for us. Pray that we have energy. Pray that are students and
staff are kept safe with the construction. Pray that through this experience,
we can show God's love to our students.
Leaping in Faith and Awaiting
God's Blessings,
Tim and Amy |
