March, 2020
Hello family and friends near and not so near,
It seems so long ago since we last sent an update, and in reality, it
has been only a month and a half. Our world has changed so much in that time.
We are even hesitant about what to write since what we want to share happened
BC (before COVID 19) and now? – it’s hard to focus on those things. But, for us
as well as maybe some of you, when we share how it is/was in Roatan there is encouragement
for what will be again.
|
|
|
We could feel God’s
guidance in our decision to pick up these three new students to enroll in
private schools. It took only a short time to know that the girls were
confident, extremely intelligent, and just really nice girls. They would be unhappy and unprepared to handle
the social experiences they would confront in the local public school.
Jeanie and Mason with Grace, Alison and Hanna |
While he isn’t in the room with me as I write this, I know Larry would
be urging me to put out our need. We responded to God’s urging to support Mason
and Jeanie’s girls. At the time, we had no money coming in for this. We have
seen this before – when we know it is our time to step up, we step up. The money comes. Within two days, we received
news of a donation that will cover a bit more than half of Alison’s tuition.
This is not a good time to be asking for money, but if you feel convicted to
help with some of the tuition for two and a half girls let us know.
We were thrilled to participate in the distribution of Operation
Christmas Child shoeboxes at Son Rise.
Wow! How excited the kids were
for days and days. (see roatancampbells.blogspot.ca Feb. 2020 for pictures and info) That was one
of OUR blessings! Much time was spent just doing normal things – visits,
joining at Son Rise for worship, teaching English and homework help. Larry built shelves for Mason and Jeanie. He
shopped for deals to purchase two water tanks. Mostly, we just lived and tried
to shine our light.
We know we are joining you in praying for the global crisis of COVID19.
We pray for physical healing. We pray for people who are suffering emotionally
and economically. While there are no cases of the virus in Roatan at this time,
the people – our friends – are quarantined in their homes and allowed out only
if they are involved in providing from the
very limited list of essential services, or if they are out to get food
or an essential. When people live pay to pay – day to day – there is no
financial cushion, so at this time food, and propane to cook the food, is in
short supply.
We thank God for technology.
We are connected – to you, and to those in Roatan. Let’s pray together
that we are able to provide God’s love, peace, hope and even joy when we
connect with family and friends – near and far.
~ School
Days ~
Some of our contacts may be
wondering about what is happening with the kids we have helped get started in
school. As part of keeping kids off the streets, the schools are sending out
daily assignments via the WhatsApp phone app.
One school even videos the teacher providing instruction and then sends
the video. We are pleased because the kids won’t lose their school year.
Before we left, computers from our
computer lab were distributed to kids who would have need of them. We are so
pleased with the skill that the kids have with computers. Most students make
use of smartphones to receive their assignments, research, and snap a picture
of their completed work to send back to their teacher. As part of our support for the students, wifi
or data packages for the phones have also been provided.
We have been able to check in with
many kids and are excited to hear that they are in school while they are out of
school.
📚 Jessie
and Josian are in their first term of university. During the last evening of
courses before the university was closed, the students were given a crash
course on taking an exam online. This morning Jessie’s message to me said, “My
exams went very good.” (I’m not surprised!) Their courses continue online.
📚 Jacee
tells us that he receives his assignments in the morning, and by 5:00 pm he is
to have the assignment submitted. If the
assignment is completed in a workbook, he photos his page and sends the
photo. If the assignment is completed on
the computer he sends it electronically.
📚 This
week, a mom sent me her grade 7 daughter’s math homework. I’m not sure if she wanted me to mark it, but
I just sent an encouraging message back.
(As a reinforcement that teachers matter and electronic teaching has its
limitations – I noticed an error that was being made repeatedly. If a teacher had been looking over the
shoulder of this student in class, this error would have been corrected from
the start. Hopefully, the next lesson doesn’t build on this one.)
No comments:
Post a Comment