Hey everyone. We’re doing fine in Guatemala, but there have been some events here! We’ll start with the bad one first!
Yesterday afternoon, as is typical, a big rainstorm came in over the home. During the storm there was a lot of thunder and lightning, and sure enough, we had a big lightning strike come down really close to our house. As this happened, our computer went blank and is fried as best as I can tell :( When living in a developing country, you realize how much you take for granted things like surge protectors! We’re in the process of getting Sophie’s computer brought to us by another team that is coming next week. In the meantime, our blogs and pictures might be a little delayed! We’re hoping the hard drive is not fried, because we have documents and pictures we don’t want to lose on there! The great thing is that Scott will be getting a computer in the fall…which brings us to the GOOD NEWS: Scott accepted a job as a teacher at Columbus Signature Academy in Columbus, Indiana! Praise GOD! It is a brand new school, officially termed a “magnet school.” The first year, we will only have 9th grade, followed by the next year with 9th and 10th, until it is a normal 9-12 grade high school. Each class will consist of only 100 students, so when it runs at capacity, there will be 400 students total. Scott will get to be part of starting this brand new school from the ground level. The most exciting thing is that it is not a traditional high school. It follows something called the New Tech , which you can research online if you are interested, and utilizes project based learning rather than traditional lecture/notetaking utilized around the world. It is exciting to be part of a brand new type of school. I’m sure you’re thinking “Who is Columbus Signature Academy? Last we heard, they weren’t even in the picture!” So much has happened, we’ve been talking with 4 different schools and the Lord has been working at every turn. Unfortunately we haven’t been able to update every detail, but we’re so happy God has opened and closed the doors that he has, and we feel this is where God wants us. To update you on Mooresville, God closed this door. I got an email from Megan (who is staying in our apartment), that I got a letter, saying they had offered the job to someone else. In the same inbox, I had two emails from other schools (one being CSA) that both expressed interest in an interview. Specifically, CSA’s principal said that he kept putting down my resume, but coming back to it over and over. If that isn’t the work of the Lord, we don’t know what is. It’s been so neat for us to watch God disciplining us and teaching us reliance upon him, while we’ve been out of the country, unable to “mess up” his workings!
The last bit of news was that last night, at 9pm Guatemala time, we had a 4.0 earthquake! Nothing scary, but a first for us since we slept through the Indiana Earthquake! We were mostly surprised that it was more of a rolling feeling than a shaking feeling. We both sat up in bed and were looking at eachother as the bed started rocking across the floor! In all, it lasted about 10-15 seconds, but it was definitely a moment to remember!
Love you all!
Showing posts with label Job Search. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Job Search. Show all posts
Friday, June 13, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Getting Settled, Job Search
Hello from Guatemala!
We arrived on Saturday night with no problems except a slight delay in Miami. Waiting for us was the Director, Miss Evy, the driver Victor, and one of the boys named Joel. On the way home, we got Pollo Campero, a famous chicken place in Central America. It is wonderful! When we got home we got settled in the house (see the photo link from www.scottandsophie.com). The house is great. It is such a blessing to be able to have more room for the summer than last year. We hear rodents outside and in the walls, but they say they won’t actually enter the house! Aah!
Sunday was church. The kids are so cute on Sundays all dressed up. We had Sunday school with the older kids where Eduardo taught about the dangers of debt in life. The Bible has strong warnings about becoming a slave to others through borrowing and debt. This is an important lesson for these kids, especially those leaving the home soon and going out on their own. Then we had regular church with all the kids. They sing songs and Eduardo preaches. This week’s sermon was out of John, Chapter 7. Eduardo taught the kids about the validity of Jesus’ claim of being God’s son. After church on Sundays is a great time because the kids get to relax, play, and watch TV. It was a good time for us to finish unpacking and getting the house settled. Dinner was a typical Guatemalan fare: Carne Asada (grilled steak), rice, and Guacamole. YUM!
Today, we met with Evy to discuss the teams that are coming, and the kind of things we will be doing. We love Evy so much, she is such a strong woman, and has the heart of a servant. Tomorrow we are picking up our intern for the summer, Joseph. He will be assisting us wherever we need him. He is a student at Gardner Webb University.
As you remember, I had a wonderful interview at Mooresville on Friday before we left. We asked all of you to join in praying with us about this job, that if God did not want us to pursue this job any further that he make it clear. My own individual prayer was that other schools would show interest. When we checked the email today, there was an email from another school that I had an initial interview with. This school was actually my second choice based on the initial interview (Mooresville was my first choice). It was not an offer, but they were asking if I was still seeking employment. I told them that technically, I still was, and asked if they could provide more information about what I would be teaching and the salary schedule. We are kind of in shock, now questioning what God has in His plan for us. We know there are no coincidences for the Christian, so here are our three scenarios we can envision:
1. Our God is not only great, but has a sense of humor. He’s telling us “Not only have I provided for you, but you can choose between your first two choices. Each will be great for him, and you get to decide!”
2. God heard our prayer about Mooresville, and is answering our prayer about leading us to another school and this second school is where Scott needs to go.
3. Satan has heard our spoken prayers and is trying to interfere with God’s plan to lead Scott to Mooresville. We can see Satan using the busyness of our jobs here in Guatemala to place a stumbling block in our process of selecting a school.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE join us in lifting up this situation. We know that God is involved in the littlest aspects of our lives and is surely involved in this one. We pray that God will show us which of the above scenarios is a reality, and continue to lead us in the direction he wants us to go.
We love you all and are excited about the work we’ve begun here! Don’t forget to check out the pictures and leave comments and voicemails via the comments link and the button to the right. We’ve LOVED all the voicemails you’ve already left!
Scott and Sophie
We arrived on Saturday night with no problems except a slight delay in Miami. Waiting for us was the Director, Miss Evy, the driver Victor, and one of the boys named Joel. On the way home, we got Pollo Campero, a famous chicken place in Central America. It is wonderful! When we got home we got settled in the house (see the photo link from www.scottandsophie.com). The house is great. It is such a blessing to be able to have more room for the summer than last year. We hear rodents outside and in the walls, but they say they won’t actually enter the house! Aah!
Sunday was church. The kids are so cute on Sundays all dressed up. We had Sunday school with the older kids where Eduardo taught about the dangers of debt in life. The Bible has strong warnings about becoming a slave to others through borrowing and debt. This is an important lesson for these kids, especially those leaving the home soon and going out on their own. Then we had regular church with all the kids. They sing songs and Eduardo preaches. This week’s sermon was out of John, Chapter 7. Eduardo taught the kids about the validity of Jesus’ claim of being God’s son. After church on Sundays is a great time because the kids get to relax, play, and watch TV. It was a good time for us to finish unpacking and getting the house settled. Dinner was a typical Guatemalan fare: Carne Asada (grilled steak), rice, and Guacamole. YUM!
Today, we met with Evy to discuss the teams that are coming, and the kind of things we will be doing. We love Evy so much, she is such a strong woman, and has the heart of a servant. Tomorrow we are picking up our intern for the summer, Joseph. He will be assisting us wherever we need him. He is a student at Gardner Webb University.
As you remember, I had a wonderful interview at Mooresville on Friday before we left. We asked all of you to join in praying with us about this job, that if God did not want us to pursue this job any further that he make it clear. My own individual prayer was that other schools would show interest. When we checked the email today, there was an email from another school that I had an initial interview with. This school was actually my second choice based on the initial interview (Mooresville was my first choice). It was not an offer, but they were asking if I was still seeking employment. I told them that technically, I still was, and asked if they could provide more information about what I would be teaching and the salary schedule. We are kind of in shock, now questioning what God has in His plan for us. We know there are no coincidences for the Christian, so here are our three scenarios we can envision:
1. Our God is not only great, but has a sense of humor. He’s telling us “Not only have I provided for you, but you can choose between your first two choices. Each will be great for him, and you get to decide!”
2. God heard our prayer about Mooresville, and is answering our prayer about leading us to another school and this second school is where Scott needs to go.
3. Satan has heard our spoken prayers and is trying to interfere with God’s plan to lead Scott to Mooresville. We can see Satan using the busyness of our jobs here in Guatemala to place a stumbling block in our process of selecting a school.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE join us in lifting up this situation. We know that God is involved in the littlest aspects of our lives and is surely involved in this one. We pray that God will show us which of the above scenarios is a reality, and continue to lead us in the direction he wants us to go.
We love you all and are excited about the work we’ve begun here! Don’t forget to check out the pictures and leave comments and voicemails via the comments link and the button to the right. We’ve LOVED all the voicemails you’ve already left!
Scott and Sophie
Friday, May 16, 2008
WOW WOW WOW
Well, today we were once amazed by the hand of God in our lives. As you know, I had an interview this morning at Mooresville High School. As we drove up this morning, I was not the least bit worried, but then I began worrying that I wasn't worrying! We got to the school about 20 minutes early, we said a prayer together and I headed into the building. I was supposed to meet with the Assistant Principal, but when they came and got me in the waiting room, it was the head principal instead. Something had come up with Ms. Ferguson and she couldn't do my interview. We began the interview with the typical interview questions that I've been asked a hundred times by a hundred different people. The interview was going well and I really liked the principal. Then it took a turn to the crazy...
We began talking about my family, and I mentioned that my dad was an executive minister. He seemed interested and I told him that my grandfather is a preacher as well. He said, "What a coincidence, my son is a youth minister, he is getting the congregational vote on Sunday at his new church in Bloomington called Sherwood Oaks Christian Church." Well...you can imagine my jaw hit the floor and I began laughing uncontrollably. He was obviously curious and I told him that I have been a member at SOCC for over 4 years now. He replied with "You're Kidding." Suddenly all those questions probing into my personal life about my morality and being a role model didn't matter. He even said, "So we understand eachother then!" I noticed his bible on his desk and we talked about different Bible Colleges that our families had gone to. When I told him about Juli and my Mom going to Milligan, he said that he loves the Buffaloes and was going to wear a Milligan shirt to school that day! What can you say to something like that?!!!??!!
The rest of the interview was just great. He told me that I did a great job and that I am at the top of their candidates. He wants to fill the position within the week and wants me to be prepared for a response if they were to offer it to me. I get the feeling that this is going to happen.
So now blog readers...please continue to pray, but lets first and foremost give TONS OF PRAISE that God has worked the way he did. Little did I know how much would happen within 48 hours of the start of our mission trip! God is such a rascal! Now we are praying that God would make it clear if this is the job He has prepared for us. All our thoughts and logic point that this is the case, but we want to give God the time to speak and for us to listen. Please pray that if this is NOT the job for us, that he would make it EXTREMELY evident! I know it will be hard for us to be listening while we are packing the car and flying on planes, so please, please be praying for our discernment of God's will.
We hope you continue to follow our journey which has already been so exciting! We love you all
Scott and Sophie
We began talking about my family, and I mentioned that my dad was an executive minister. He seemed interested and I told him that my grandfather is a preacher as well. He said, "What a coincidence, my son is a youth minister, he is getting the congregational vote on Sunday at his new church in Bloomington called Sherwood Oaks Christian Church." Well...you can imagine my jaw hit the floor and I began laughing uncontrollably. He was obviously curious and I told him that I have been a member at SOCC for over 4 years now. He replied with "You're Kidding." Suddenly all those questions probing into my personal life about my morality and being a role model didn't matter. He even said, "So we understand eachother then!" I noticed his bible on his desk and we talked about different Bible Colleges that our families had gone to. When I told him about Juli and my Mom going to Milligan, he said that he loves the Buffaloes and was going to wear a Milligan shirt to school that day! What can you say to something like that?!!!??!!
The rest of the interview was just great. He told me that I did a great job and that I am at the top of their candidates. He wants to fill the position within the week and wants me to be prepared for a response if they were to offer it to me. I get the feeling that this is going to happen.
So now blog readers...please continue to pray, but lets first and foremost give TONS OF PRAISE that God has worked the way he did. Little did I know how much would happen within 48 hours of the start of our mission trip! God is such a rascal! Now we are praying that God would make it clear if this is the job He has prepared for us. All our thoughts and logic point that this is the case, but we want to give God the time to speak and for us to listen. Please pray that if this is NOT the job for us, that he would make it EXTREMELY evident! I know it will be hard for us to be listening while we are packing the car and flying on planes, so please, please be praying for our discernment of God's will.
We hope you continue to follow our journey which has already been so exciting! We love you all
Scott and Sophie
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Progress on the Job Search?
Hello everyone.
As you can imagine, we are busy getting ready to fly out on Saturday! We are very excited and a tad bit nervous.
Today, as we were driving, I got a phone call and it happened to be from a woman I initially interviewed with back on April 21. She was from the Mooresville School District (North of Bloomington about 40 minutes), and she said they were entering the second stage of the interview process and wanted to set up a time to meet with me. I told her I would be thrilled, BUT, I was leaving the country on Saturday and wouldn't be back until August! I asked if there was any way we could meet tomorrow (Friday), and she said, Sure! So tomorrow I have a second interview with her and the Head of the Science Department at 10:30 AM. If you read this blog before then, please be in prayer for me and the interview!
It is great to see God working. We have known all along that he is going to provide, and isn't it just like God to place this in our lives just 48 hours before we begin our mission trip?! We know we bring him joy when we stay strong in our faith! It isn't always easy, but he delights in the desires of our hearts and we truly are his children!
I'll post hopefully tomorrow to let you know how it went!
Blessings!
Scott
As you can imagine, we are busy getting ready to fly out on Saturday! We are very excited and a tad bit nervous.
Today, as we were driving, I got a phone call and it happened to be from a woman I initially interviewed with back on April 21. She was from the Mooresville School District (North of Bloomington about 40 minutes), and she said they were entering the second stage of the interview process and wanted to set up a time to meet with me. I told her I would be thrilled, BUT, I was leaving the country on Saturday and wouldn't be back until August! I asked if there was any way we could meet tomorrow (Friday), and she said, Sure! So tomorrow I have a second interview with her and the Head of the Science Department at 10:30 AM. If you read this blog before then, please be in prayer for me and the interview!
It is great to see God working. We have known all along that he is going to provide, and isn't it just like God to place this in our lives just 48 hours before we begin our mission trip?! We know we bring him joy when we stay strong in our faith! It isn't always easy, but he delights in the desires of our hearts and we truly are his children!
I'll post hopefully tomorrow to let you know how it went!
Blessings!
Scott
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Our last Sunday, A Trip to Kansas
Hey folks. I know it's been a long time since our last post. I've been busy trying to get a teaching job nailed down before we leave for Guatemala. As of now, we haven't heard anything back from the public schools I've applied to. Schools seem to move much more slowly than I'd like! But I am not putting any expectations on God. He has provided us with so much and validated every decision we've made so far in regards to this trip, I just know He is watching us and smiling, knowing what His plans are that we just can't even begin to grasp. So please be praying for my job situation! In my prayer time last night, I found this passage from Matthew, and I plan to hold tight to this scripture:
Matthew 6:25-27
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Last week we took a trip out to Kansas to see my Aunt and Uncle; Laurie and Greg, and their two boys Joey and Josh. Laurie and the boys are going to be part of the team coming from their church to Agua Viva this summer! We took an afternoon to meet with the team leaders and then another evening to meet the entire team. This was such a wonderful experience to get to meet the team and give them a bit of an orientation before getting to the home. They had lots of good questions and seem very eager to work. An added bonus was spending the weekend with Laurie and Greg and the boys who have been EXTREMEMLY supportive of our decision to make this trip. It makes it so much easier when your loved ones are there cheering you on! Thanks guys!
Today (April 27) was our last Sunday at Sherwood Oaks until we get back from Guatemala. It was bittersweet to say goodbye to all our friends at church. It made it all the more real that we are really doing this! Tom was great and had us come up on stage for all 3 services and pray for our trip and introduce us to the congregation. We'll miss Tom's sermons and the routine of Sunday mornings that we've become accustomed to! It will be a while before we hear a sermon in English again!
We ask that you continue to pray for our trip and our finances. We've done pretty well, but have not reached our goal yet. We know that no matter how much we raise, God will be able to use it to bless our lives and the lives of the children at Agua Viva.
Ephesians 3:20-21
Al que puede hacer muchisimo mas que todo lo que podamos imaginarnos o pedir, por el poder que obra eficazmente en nosotros, a el sea la gloria en la iglesia y en Cristo Jesus por todas las generaciones, por los siglos de los siglos! Amen
Matthew 6:25-27
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Last week we took a trip out to Kansas to see my Aunt and Uncle; Laurie and Greg, and their two boys Joey and Josh. Laurie and the boys are going to be part of the team coming from their church to Agua Viva this summer! We took an afternoon to meet with the team leaders and then another evening to meet the entire team. This was such a wonderful experience to get to meet the team and give them a bit of an orientation before getting to the home. They had lots of good questions and seem very eager to work. An added bonus was spending the weekend with Laurie and Greg and the boys who have been EXTREMEMLY supportive of our decision to make this trip. It makes it so much easier when your loved ones are there cheering you on! Thanks guys!
Today (April 27) was our last Sunday at Sherwood Oaks until we get back from Guatemala. It was bittersweet to say goodbye to all our friends at church. It made it all the more real that we are really doing this! Tom was great and had us come up on stage for all 3 services and pray for our trip and introduce us to the congregation. We'll miss Tom's sermons and the routine of Sunday mornings that we've become accustomed to! It will be a while before we hear a sermon in English again!
We ask that you continue to pray for our trip and our finances. We've done pretty well, but have not reached our goal yet. We know that no matter how much we raise, God will be able to use it to bless our lives and the lives of the children at Agua Viva.
Ephesians 3:20-21
Al que puede hacer muchisimo mas que todo lo que podamos imaginarnos o pedir, por el poder que obra eficazmente en nosotros, a el sea la gloria en la iglesia y en Cristo Jesus por todas las generaciones, por los siglos de los siglos! Amen
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