It was only my second day on the ship when the principal of the Academy, Nikki, told us about her dream to take the teaching staff to a Christian Education conference in Kenya over the Easter break. The conference would give us the opportunity to network with many other missionary schools around Africa, attend MANY workshops about effectively teaching "third-culture kids" in a Christian environment and just a chance to get away as a staff and grow professionally, spiritually and as a team.
For a couple of months, we would hear of groups of people who were considering full support for us to go. It often seemed as though we were on a roller coaster of 'Yes, we are going! Oh wait...maybe not". As a teaching staff of 12 supported missionaries, paying for this conference individually was just not going to be possible. Yet we continued to pray that if God wanted us to go, He would provide the way.
With only about 4 weeks before the conference, we realized that a final decision was necessary. We brainstormed ways to try to fundraise the money we needed to go to this conference. This brainstorming session lead to, among other ideas, an Auction of Dreams, with each teacher providing a service that other crew members could 'buy' with the money going towards the conference/travel costs. Here are some pictures of the event.
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Ben, our PE teacher and auctioneer for the evening!
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Estelle (Kindergarten teacher) and I decided to perform a little "whistle while you work" song and dance for our 'Maid For A Day' service.
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Kim (English High School Teacher) showing the homemade bagels (made by husband of the Grade 1 teacher-Shelly)
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Haley (Grade 4/5 teacher), offering a weekend breakfast and lunch service.
In total, there were 24 items/services auctioned off. We thank God SO much for those who participated in our auction! He has, through many servant-hearted people, provided in full. We are going to Kenya!!
Great job!
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