In the meantime, lets boil water...

Lately you've been hearing lots of information about the Pal people and the mountain villages that we are planning to move to later this year (don't worry, there is lots more where that came from). What you haven't heard too much about lately is our current ministry here at the school base.

As you might know, Nate is teaching high school Algebra (I and II), AP Calculus, and Physics. In fact, our whole family has taken part in the school ministry. While Nate was on survey, Elizabeth helped out by substitute teaching for him in a few classes. Noah comes to Algebra on occasion and helps encourage students in their work: "My dad says that if you don't finish your work, he will make you do 50 push ups..." Elias and Tim also spend time with the students, caring for them and engaging them (mostly their care for the guys is in the form of wrestling and for the girls in the form of trying to be cute).

We wanted to share with you a situation that came up this week that highlights the neat role that the Lord has placed us in right now:

Nate has assigned a project for physics: make something for less than $15 that can boil water in less than an hour using only energy from the sun. The several students who have succeeded in this project so far (it is not due until Friday) are young ladies. This has been a particular thorn in the side of a couple of guys in the class whose grand plans have not quite some together. Here is the cool part: when Nate had the opportunity to sit down with them, they were ready to give up completely. After hanging out for a bit, the guys were encouraged to renew their efforts - as unto the Lord. We are so blessed to be able to have the kinds of relationships with 15, 16, 17, and 18 year olds that they are willing to hear and be encouraged by our friendship and counsel.

Things that you can pray for this week:

• Praise God that Nate's sister is doing better after a life-threatening cerebral hemorrhage (happened Saturday)
• Praise God for fellowship with partners in planning for tribal ministry
• Praise God for place of ministry here in the high school
• Pray for godly teachers to come and fill in the holes that will be in the school at the end of the year.
• Pray for our family as we plan and prepare for our transition (4 months away, but coming quick)
• Pray for wisdom in planning for our house in the bush.
• Pray for our helicopter pilot, Ray, who will be flying over our potential location in Pal tomorrow - he'll be checking out our potential landing site.
• Pray for peace in the midst of turmoil.

Again, thanks so very much for your partnership - at times we feel very far away - and yet we know we are brought close to you all as we seek the Lord together.

Nate for the family.