The Last Week

The last week of our 10-week stay in Pakenham is finally here. I am excited to be heading home (to warmer weather) in the next week, but it will be bittersweet to leave this church and community that have become another home for me. We’ve spent a lot of time this last week wrapping up some of the projects and ministries we’ve worked with while here. HBC follow-up cards have been mailed out and a new term of Sunday School and Youth Group bible studies have begun.

A tour through the school with one of my favorite students.

 Today we completed our last day with the Elevate Leadership Program at the primary school. It was sad to say bye to the boys, but we still have 2 more days at the school for the bike program and brekkie club.  I’m thankful for the opportunity we’ve had to work in the public schools, because most public schools in the States would not allow this much involvement from the churches. Please keep the Chaplains and the volunteer Religious Education teachers of the public schools in your prayers, as they work in a tense environment trying to balance the pressures of the secular media and various political stances that are attempting to take away funding for religious groups in the schools. This is an amazing opportunity they have here and they are working very carefully to maintain positive relationships within the school districts.

The Elevate Program