Summer Plans

The 2006-2007 school year is over, and we thank you for your partnership—in prayer and giving financially. It was a great year and we thank God for all He did in and through the staff and students. It is my privilege to work with students that learn differently. This year some of them matured and grew emotionally. To them it is a big adjustment to move from elementary school to middle school, and others on to high school. They learn first hand what it means that “God’s grace is sufficient for you, for God’s power is made perfect in weakness." (2Corinthians 12:9) Being different is tough but it develops Christ-like character in the long run. It is my ministry to encourage them. Some of my students made great gains in reading—both vocabulary and comprehension. Some made gains in math or in processing speed (thinking faster). Many students panic with timed test; so in my “safe” office we simulate timed tests. Once a teacher develops a good rapport with his student, it is amazing how much he can stretch them. I met with all of their parents and they were pleased as well. We even began to set some goals for next year. My end-of-the-year reports are finished and my grades are in. PTL

Graduation is always a bitter-sweet time. The longer I teach at Faith Academy, the harder graduation becomes because I have known them for so long from elementary to middle school to high school—as a therapist, teacher, coach, advisor, squad leader, etc. They have seen me wear so many hats and we share so many stories together—from being challenged spiritually to playing basketball along the road while our bus is getting fixed. Do pray for the graduating seniors as they transition to a new chapter in their life—challenging, exciting, yet scary.

Summer is here but my family does not know how to slow down. They have big plans. Ashley is all excited—she wants to do weight training and basketball training with her dad. Paul likes the weight training but will be working on soccer instead of basketball. Juliana will go along and do some things but is more interested in crafts. Abby just wants to be busy with the family; she is definitely our social one. Ben is keeping us all busy with his Eagle Project. His goal is to help integrate more meat (rabbits) into the diet of a remote, ethnic group in which our mission works. We have been planning, purchasing items, and getting ready for the big trip. Cheryl and the girls will stay at our center where we used to live; and Ben, Paul, four other scouts, and I will fly into the remote allocation with our supplies, tools, cages, and 13 rabbits. We already have seven rabbits and the girls are keeping them occupied. The teaching posters Ben made look great, and Ben and the scouts did a nice job on their first two cages made out of bamboo. The plane broke down last week, so pray that it can be fixed quickly and our schedule will not be drastically changed. Rainy season up there starts in July.

The other big family outing is our basketball ministry. Normally it is just Ben and I that go on a trip, but Cheryl and I prayed about the whole family going this year. Basketball is very popular in the Philippines and always draws a big crowd. At half time we give our testimony and share the gospel. Then we pass out tracts with the gospel written in Tagalog and “coupons” for a free Bible study. We want the whole family to have this great experience—sharing the gospel in the Philippines.

In Christ,

Walter for the Seven Spicers