I always enjoy the changing of the seasons. For many of you March came in like a lamb and is going out like a lion with cold weather and snow. Others are enjoying the warmer weather and preparing your gardens. In the Philippines, it is hot season; but we have been blessed with some cloud cover and even some unusual rains which have kept the temperatures in the 80’s and 90’s.
Third quarter is always packed with activities–predominantly Outdoor Education (OE). This year we went to the area of Bataan with three main sites. At our main site we did a ministry at two public schools, singing, playing games, and presenting the gospel. At our JEST site (JEST stands for Jungle Environment Survival Training), the students enjoyed learning about the flora and fauna of the jungles–spending one whole day in the jungle, cooking and eating their food with just bamboo for their pots, pans, etc. Lastly, our beach site was at a turtle conservatory where they learned all about sea turtles and their life cycles. Our students actually released baby turtles into the ocean. In addition to all of the academic and social learning that takes place during OE, our students are challenged spiritually with squad devotions and an evening speaker. For OE, we used our school-wide theme: In Christ we do hard things and took it to a deeper level. As the coordinator, it is my joy to work out issues that arose before and during OE, but I am always thankful to God as He always works things out; we are blessed and challenged; and HE is glorified.
Immediately after OE, our grade 7 & 8 students prepared for their Speech Tournament on March 19 & 20. All of the middle school staff help as judges or room hosts. I enjoy judging them as God has blessed us with some very talented students.
Abby had a busy quarter, helping on OE (she was one of the selected seniors to help), going to Hong Kong for a choir festival, and lastly just returning from her Senior Trip. For their Senior Trip, they went to a beautiful beach resort and made many memories. She is excited about graduating in two months and transitioning to the US and life at Calvary University in Kansas City. Pray that she will finish fourth quarter well at FA. She is also excited about one more event–our school musical. They have picked the Wizard of Oz and Abby is Dorothy. Pray for her and the crew as they have much to do before the production on April 19-21.
Cheryl has been busy as head nurse this year, plus she went on OE as our nurse and then went with Abby on her Senior Trip as one of their main class advisors.
It is now our March Break and we enjoyed a few days at the beach to get rested for the final quarter. Walter will be busy with teacher observations and end-of-the-year evaluations with staff. Walter uses these times to encourages them.
Thank you again for your continued support. It is through your prayers and financial giving that has kept us serving in the Philippines for 29 years.
In Christ,
Walter and Cheryl Spicer
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