September Newsletter '11

Greetings,

What a month this has been! Storms and Hurricanes have dominated our energy and involvement throughout August (in fact even as I type this prayerletter, we are still without electricity, and as such this email won't go out, likely till mid-September!). Checkout our adventurous month below!

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A Big Hurricane Came!

Hurricane Irene smashed into Eleuthera with vengeance! Its winds were clocked near category 4 speeds with gusts well over 150mph (some say even higher). We took shelter in our little house behind 4 concrete walls and withstood the barrage of wind and rain through the early morning hours and into the next day.

Micah didn't even know there was a storm, he slept soundly safe under my desk, until afterwards when he looked outside and exclaimed "What a mess!" We then began the lengthy clean-up process, which is still going on. Eleuthera has sustained heavy damage from Irene - the power and utility companies have been working non-stop. Giant front-end loaders and tractors have been hired to remove mountains of seaweed. Sheds overturned or blew down completely, and many roofs are left with gaping holes.

We are so thankful for your prayers both during and after the storm. This hurricane has certainly tested our mental dexterity to adapt to the difficulties after a disaster of this magnitude. Please continue to pray for the school and our ability to serve those who have been affected by Irene.

Check out pictures of the Hurricane HERE
Check out pictures of the Clean Up HERE

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Kari's Visit & Tropical Storm Emily (the lighter-side of storms)

We would joke around that since my wife Emily is so soft and kind, that there was no need to worry about Tropical Storm Emily headed our way earlier in the month. The only major concern was how it was going to affect my sister's travel plans as she came down to stay with us for almost a week.

Micah was elated to have Kari visit. All the way to and from the airport he was in rare form, brimming with excitement to see Aunt ReRe! And who wouldn't be? Our visit with Kari was so much fun; we went to the beach, we searched for adventures, we splashed in the puddles of Tropical Storm Emily, we went out to eat, and went to the beach some more - she has a way of making things so much fun! We can't wait for our next visitor to come, or Kari to come back down again!

Click HERE to see pictures of Kari's visit
Click HERE to see pictures of Tropical Storm Emily

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Update

We are and have been recovering from Hurricane Irene, but are doing great overall and in high spirits throughout. Micah is growing fast, and we are looking to play with him as much as we can while he still wants us to play. He starts school this second week of September and Emily is busy preparing with all the back-to-school responsibilities.

Here at the school we've started our daily staff meeting and prep work for the year, please keep us in prayer for that. We're still down 1 teacher and will all be pitching together to help round out the educational requirements of the school.

I am getting more invested in our local church and will soon start teaching on Wednesday nights. Along with that we have abounding ministry opportunities for discipleship all up and down the island. God has truly been blessing us, and we are thankful to serve Him with the strength He gives.

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Prayers and Praises

Praise for safety through the storm!
Praise for the Hurricane - I can't think of a better/faster way to learn a campus! I now know where every nail, screw, shingle, and tool at this school, I know it inside and out, forward and backwards!
Praise God for our supporters during this time

Pray for Micah as he starts back up at school
Pray for everyone affected by Irene, and especially pray that we don't have any more large storms for a long time
Finally, pray for all our returning students and for things to return to "normal" here (there is just a plethora of mosquitoes, sometimes you'll kill 5 at once with 1 slap!!!)

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Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers and your involvement in our ministry with God's mission. To find out more about support CLICK HERE.

- Ryan Emily and Micah Flunker