April Newsletter '12

Greetings,

The month of March was so packed and busy it was spilling over into April and I'm only now having a chance to write an update. The past month saw our new missionaries premiere visit to Windermere, our school's Fair Day Fund Raiser, and more preaching and school activities that I can mention including Spiritual Emphasis, Midterms, and a slew of the run-of-the-mill disciplinary necessities.

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Fair Day

The past month began with our Fair Day on the ball park in Governors. The nature of our school requires exceptional financial aid from donors (its how we keep tuition affordable), and our Spring event is the Fair.

We have a bunch of booths set up, and each staff member is in charge of an area with our students dispersed throughout. Still, managing a school of students off campus property on the weekend for volunteer work can be quite a challenge.

There was an auction to raise money for the school and we had parents donate sodas and chicken and their time to serve the entire night long. With such a great PTA we ended up raising more money this year than any year previous. The fair also has a DJ, activities for kids like a bouncy house, a raffle for donated gifts, games, and much much more. But I'll be honest as much fun as it is, it is quite a work day. Yet with everyone's help it came together with success.

Click HERE to read more and see pictures from the Fair

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Ryan & Melissa Yates - New Missionaries

Our friends from Texas are now officially accepted with North Texas Missions to serve as the new teachers at Windermere High School for next year, and we couldn't be happier! Ryan and Melissa are a huge answer to prayer. We've been in need of new missionary partners ever since we arrived and the Yates are just a perfect fit.

During their visit they got to sit with us in our classes and really get a first-hand feel for what school-life entails. Ms. Gibson and the rest of the staff are excited about their arrival and the school is taking care of them to help provide them with everything they need to be successful in the transition over here.

I just got off the phone with Ryan and right now they are in the process of finishing their support raising back in the States. With many verbal confirmations and a handful of people already sending in their monthly support, they are right on track to have a strong support base, but raising support is always a challenge of faith. Ryan says that they feel God's unwavering confirmation to their calling as missionaries and we just simply can't wait to have them help share the load.

You can see pictures of their visit on our website HERE
or checkout their own supporter page at yatesmission.com

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Update

Like I mentioned we are finishing an exciting month of 2012 and now headed into another. April will see us with our first real break since Christmas as we celebrate Easter. And we have our very first mission team of the season with us this upcoming week. To make it even more exciting the team is from my home church with my parents leading it. Currently my dad is already down here prepping the job as we wait for everyone else to arrive, but its going to give us a great start for the summer, and an exciting premiere trip from my church.

We also had our Spiritual Emphasis week in March with Pastor O'Neil Russell who did an excellent job speaking "From the Heart" to the children.

Micah is growing a inch a day it seems like and we're looking forward to his birthday coming up soon (special thanks to those have sent birthday presents - you are the best!). He is really loving his time with "Papa" right now, and he can't wait for Meme to come too. Don't tell him that I told you, but we're going to be building him a brand new sandbox for his birthday too (as if there's not enough sand on our island already)!

Emily has been busy with school too. She led a field trip to the nature reserve here on the island and the duties of a wife/mom are never ending. She finally got to sit through a church service as I preached up in Spanish Wells, and visit with some dear friends of ours. Finally, she tells me that her greatest accomplishment of the month is that Micah is finally completely potty-trained… can I get an "Amen!"

Click HERE for more on Spiritual Emphasis 2012
Click HERE for more on Preaching in Spanish Wells
Click HERE for more on Emily's Field Trips

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Prayers and Praises

Praise for Easter and the resurrection of our Lord for the atonement of our sins!
Praise for a break from the the busy life of running the school
Praise for our friends the Lynskeys and their new baby!
Praise for the financial help from the fair

Please be praying for our students, we have some that have been recently dismissed from school for their behavior, but they are going back into the world and we'd ask you to join with us in praying for them
Pray for the team from Our Saviour's and for safe travel and a successful work week
Pray for the finances of the school and all the challenges of "keeping the lights on"
Pray for Ryan and Melissa and that their support would come in quickly and conformationally

A very HAPPY EASTER to you!!

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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