School Starts Tomorrow!

"Twas the night before school started and all through the ship, not a Cash kid was sleeping...."

Um...I (dianna) can't think of a line with a word that rhymes with ship that makes sense...and there's just not quite enough creative energy to see this one through the end (or past the first line). 

It is indeed the night before the first day of the 2014-2015 Mercy Ships Academy School year and the Cash kids are quite excited.  They maaaay actually be asleep now (2+ hours after they started trying to fall asleep).  

We had the Academy Open House tonite (or the "night before school starts party" as Caroline described it to a friend on the phone today). It was such a fun time to see the teachers and classrooms all set up - fresh decorations, fresh supplies, fresh energy....it's lovely.  

Emma - K4 (pre-kindergarten) with Mrs. Herma

Emma will be in class with 5 other beautiful girls and will go every day (Monday - Friday) from 8am until Noon.  We're excited that she'll be with Mrs. Herma again.  Mrs. Herma is the only teacher Emma has had on the Africa Mercy - she has invested so much love, so many prayers and oh so many songs into our littlest one!

Caroline - 3rd grade with Mrs. Denise

We thoroughly enjoyed having Mrs. Denise teach Eli last year - and we're glad Caroline has the privilege of being in her class this year.  Denise has a calm, quiet strength about her that will be perfect for her class of 4 -  2 girls and 2 boys...each with their own "unique personalities." 

 Eli - 4th grade with Miss Remy

I will admit it - when Remy told me she was extending and would be around for another school year, I cried tears of joy.  This sweet lady from the Netherlands joined Mercy Ships when we did and was a part of our Onboarding/Gateway group.  She's got a passion for teaching and a love for her students that shines out from her eyes and her smile.  We're so very grateful that Eli gets to be in her class this year (and maybe even next year if she decides to stick around!)(no, we're not planning for Eli to repeat 4th grade...Miss Remy is so smart that she teaches 2 classes!  4th and 5th grades are combined into one classroom....still 2 separate grade levels - but 1 classroom).  We've been hoping for the day when we'd have a kid in Miss Remy's class...we're so glad that day is tomorrow!

We are such big fans of the Academy....we love the teachers and are so grateful for all that they pour into our children.  We are very aware that each of the teachers are called to be here on the Africa Mercy just as much as we are. It's beautiful to watch individuals live in obedience to God.  It's amazing to watch Him use these willing vessels invest in the children of Mercy Ships.

Please join us in praying for Eli, Caroline and Emma - may they be ALL that God created them to be.  May they enjoy learning and be enjoyable students.   May they know the love, presence, provision and power of God through the education that He is blessing them with. 

Please also pray for our children's teachers - they are incredible ladies who bring so many gifts and talents to the table.  We believe God has intentionally placed Emma with Mrs. Herma, Caroline with Mrs. Denise and Eli with Miss Remy for very specific reasons.  His plans are perfect and we're glad to be a part of His perfect planning.  

We're looking forward to 8:00am tomorrow.  All of the students and parents will meet in the International Lounge for a celebratory kick-off meeting...and then off they'll go into the new school year.  It's going to be a great year of learning and growing....we can't wait to see all that God is going to do in, through and all around our children and their teachers this year!

Surely there will be more to come.