Making Plans For My Return

Hi Everyone!
     Gosh, this year has been a busy one, as I am now a junior and am continuing to homeschool!  My favorite subject is still English and I continue to write books as well as writing a bi-weekly article for a local newspaper.  Track season is well under way and this is my third year participating in Track and Field through the local public school throwing discus and javelin.  This year is also the third year that I have been taking American Sign Language (ASL) as my foreign language.  Unsurprisingly, my educational workload has increased dramatically! 
     Despite the work that’s expected of me, I’ve still found time to ride/train my horses, help my parents with projects around the house, and do some volunteer work within the community.  I am also excited to have gotten my driver’s permit and am looking forward to fulfilling my hours over the summer!

Also, I have some thrilling news to share!  I am planning another exciting mission trip this summer!  I will be traveling again to the balmy island of Puerto Rico to support the work of the Evangelical School for the Deaf (ESD) located in Luquillo.  My mother will be flying down with me when we leave on July twenty-third (23^rd) and I will be returning August thirty-first (31^st).  The deaf community is one of the most unreached people groups in the world, due to the communication barrier.  Many individuals who are deaf and live on the island of Puerto Rico face even more difficult circumstances due to both the economic poverty as well as the extremely limited opportunities for education.  ESD has been providing both educational and spiritual support to students who are deaf for more than fifty years.
     During our time in Puerto Rico, we will meet with the school’s principle to help get the school ready for the returning students.  After four days, my mom will head home while I stay to help host another VBS for the students!  I’ll be staying for about six weeks, this time to work at the school as a staff member.  I will be helping to keep classrooms organized, prepare meals in the kitchen, maintain the yard and facilities, join the students in their classes, and assist the students and teachers in whatever way possible!
     While I served at ESD last June, I grew very close to the teachers and students (I still keep in touch with most of them.)  God blessed me so much and showed me many amazing things.  I greatly enjoyed spending time with them, getting to know them and “conversing” with them in their own language (ASL).  When I return to Puerto Rico, I will be taking tons of photographs and plan to update this blog with stories and photos—hopefully daily.
     I would like to ask if you would prayerfully consider being a part of this trip.  Above all, would you be willing to pray for us?  We could certainly use your prayers, even now as we prepare for our trip.  We are currently working on raising our funds...our goal being about $1,800 to cover the cost of airfare, lodging, ministry supplies and food costs while we’re in the country.
    I will continue to post prayer and planning updates!  Thanks and God bless!