I  am pleased to present to you an interview of one of the soon to be missionaries to Ebeye, Mrs. Vatreisha A. Nyemba.  Vatreisha has only two days left here at home in the good ole' U S of A.  She will soon fly off to a night in Honolulu Hawaii and then to her final destination...EBEYE (yeah!!!). 

 

 

A:  My husband and I have felt that we were called to Nations, but we never thought that we would go to Ebeye.  My husband is from Africa and we thought that we would eventually go to Africa and serve in various capacities and also launch into impacting Nations.  Our pastor asked us to pray about going to Ebeye and we prayed about it.  To make a long story short, God revealed to us that  it is an opportunity to sow and to serve into the lives of the wonderful people that we have heard about and into our destiny that reaches far beyond our time on Ebeye. 

 

 

A:  When is leaving to go halfway across the world and leaving your life ever convenient?   Convenient is not a word I would use.  Although I wouldn't say that the timing is convenient, the timing of God is always perfect: where we are in life, what we have to give.  What better gift to have than a seed to sow into our future. 

 

 

A:  Let's start with expectations:  My most dominant expectation is in the faithfulness of God, meaning more than on any person, God has taken me here and is going to provide for me in every every.  I have talked to God about it and he  will meet me there.  He will exceed all expectations that I could have because he has encouraged me to trust Him.

 

 

 

 

For more about Vatreisha and her upcoming mission, you can contact her via email: vatreishanyemba@hotmail.com

 

 

 

 

Well, we're here... we're really here.  We're home to stay after three years on the mission field.  Wow!  What a wonderful experience, what an awesome adventure.  I praise God for my time on Ebeye.  It was truly life changing in all positive ways.  The people of the RMI are wonderful... God bless the RMI! 

 

The school is going strong and in Good hands with our principal, new secretary, and teachers.  The new teachers that will be going are all excited and preparing to make the move.  I personally know all of the people that will be going and I am excited about all of the awesome places that they will be taking the school.  I'm so sure that God is going to use them all MIGHTILY.

 

Settling in has been quite graceful.  I have two potential job offers that I am excited about pursuing.  The great thing about it is that both offers sorta came to me and I didn't have to go looking.  They were already here waiting for me.  They are both really awesome possibilities and I should be settling into one of them before the end of the summer.  In the mean time, I'm looking forward to spending some fun times in the sun with my family and friends and being in church every time the doors open.

 

Belinda is doing great as well.  She just got a new place which she is enjoying.  She too has been in every service.  Man, as much as we loved the mission field, there is truly no place like home.  I'll probably continue to blog over the summer to keep you all posted on our smooth transiton, but will let the new teachers take it from there.  Thanks everyone for your support.

 

To Pastor Christ and the New York church, please forgive us for not doing a better job of getting pics and fun updates to you all.  We thought about you all a lot, but just didn't make it happen.  We'll get some pics to you soon and hopefully the new people will do a better job of this.

 

Having much fun,

Dana

 

 

 

We have 10 days until we fly home!  Only 10 days!  Oh my gosh... SO much to do...w can do it in Jesus' Name!  Pray for us.  thanks.  Wow, 10

Greetings from Ebeye!  Of course, as I always say, there is so much to tell you about.  I'll just get right to the details.  SCHOOL IS GOING GREAT!!  The Kindergarteners are spelling machines, they are learning letter sounds, and are sight reading.  They are also learning simple addition concepts.  Mrs. Twyla and the teacher's aides are doing exceptionally well with the class.  I am looking forward to this year's Kindergarten graduation.  The First grade class is also doing very well.  They have been working on reading phonetically and are doing great.  They are telling time, learning math facts, and counting money.  They are also maturing and becoming responsible young people.  We are proud of them!  The Second grade class is developing as well.  They are learning Geometrical shapes, money concepts, sentence structure, nouns, verbs, family history, etc.  The Third grade class (my kiddies) are also doing very well.  We are a small class (15) but strong.  I can honestly say that each and every one of my students has shown remarkable progress over this school year.  Especially in the areas of Reading and English comprehension.  They are also developing socially.  I hardly ever have to remind them that we do not speak Marshallese in school because they all enjoy speaking English and try their best.  ALL IS WELL.

 

We recently celebrated Education Week.  We had an island wide spelling bee and our school did very well.  Each school was allowed to enter two spellers per grade level.  Our Kinder garten students won 1st and 2nd place, Our First graders won 1st and 3rd place, and our 3rd graders won 2nd and 3rd place.  This was very exciting for us.  Our Second grade students did very well also, but they did have some very challenging words.

 

Next week, my Third Grade class will take our very first standardized test.  The Marshall Islands Standardized Achievement Test (MISAT I) will be given to all 3rd, 6th, and 8th grade students in the Marshall Islands and will show whether or not our school meets the benchmark set by the Ministry of Education and how our school compares with all other schools in the country.  I am so excited about the test, but I'm also... umm...well, just really wanting them to do their best.  I am sure that they will and no matter what our scores, I will be very proud of them because they have been working so hard to prepare.

 

Let's see, what else?  Oh yeah, the end of the year is drawing near and the time will soon come for us to go home.  And this time, it is final.  Yes, I am saying that we will not be returning for the next school year.  Amy, Belinda and I will be going home at the end of the year and a whole new batch of teachers will come for the next school year.  I am sure that this will be a very wet goodbye for me and I am certain that I will never forget my experience here in the Marshall Islands and my students will always be with me (in my heart). 

 

Okay, enough of that, I don't want to start crying too early.  I'll be in touch soon (I really will) to update you on our test and more.  This weekend has been an awesome one and I'll tell you about it soon.

Thanks for listening.  Be a blessing!

Dana

 

 

Yokwe eveyone and HAPPY NEW YEAR!  WoW... 2009 is here!  I am very excited to be living in the greateset time that has ever existed!  God is good to me and I am learning more about Him and His ways and getting to know Him more than before.  This is exciting stuff people!

 

Okay, let's see... Here are a few things that have happend with Ebeye Gem Christian School in the year 2008.

I have been thinking about some of the people that have been  very instrumental in guiding me along right paths in my life and helping me to set appropriate standards for myself.  I can't imagine what life would have been like without these people.  One in particular is my youth pastor, the Honorable Elder Michael Williams Sr.  Words can not begin to express the impact that this one man has had in my life.  It was surely God who brought him into my life at just the right time.  I was a 13 year old female child of a single mother of 4 children.  Everyone knows that the pre-teen and teen years are very crucial and that we are most impressionable at this time in our lives.  I didn't have good examples of what a man should be, how he should treat women, etc, etc, and therefore had no standard to hold young men to that expressed an interest in me.  As I began to develop an interest in this interesting species (the male gender)lol, and began going through so many changes myself, trying to find my fit in the world, I guess you could say my life came to the crossroad that we all face and I needed help to know which way to go.  Right at that time, I was introduced to a local church and consequently, to the Lord, Jesus Christ.  I was captivated during every service.  I had not been raised in church and knew very little about God and the Bible.  As I would hear the truths of the Word of God expounded and experienced the anointing of God, I knew that I wanted more of God in my life and shortly after, gave my life to Christ and joined that chruch's youth group.  The youth pastor, lovingly referred to as Bro. Mike, had more passion than I had ever seen in an individual and devoted his life, his family, his everything to helping the young people at our church and in the community and to persuade us to serve God with all we have rather than living mediocre, luke warm, christian lives, but rather to burn for God and to serve the Lord with all of our Might.  He was so persuasive when he spoke of how vast and how intense God's love was for me.  For lil' ole' me...  My world was shocked and I commenced to serving God with every fiber of my being.  That has made all the difference in not only my life, but also in the lives of all the people that God has used me to impact in the world.  I am so grateful to God for this man's life.  My future husband and family will be so grateful to this man for the impact that he has made in my life, shaping me into a person that they can be proud of.  My mother is grateful to this man for the impact he has had in my life and I am only one of the many youth that this man has helped to change forever.  THANK YOU JESUS FOR BROTHER MICHAEL WILLIAMS SR.  I am eternally grateful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

 

Another of the great men that God has so graciously placed in my life is my current pastor.  Pastor Philip D. Derber.  Again, words cannot express the impact, the depth and dimensions that have utterly effected my life because of this one individual, and not my life only.  The thing that I am most grateful for from both of these men is the example that they have LIVED OUT LOUD in front of all that God has committed them to.  WOW!  As I read the Word of God, and desire to live my life in a way that I know brings joy and ecstacy to my God, I am not discouraged by the attitudes of naysayers that make excuse after excuse for why we can never live a life that is truly and extremely pleasing to God, but I am rather much encouraged and inspired by these mens lives who have lived the example that it can be done.  I don't have to wonder if I can live a Godly, righteous, and even holy life before God...I know I CAN!  I don't have to wonder if I can fulfill all the will of God for my life, I KNOW, I CAN!  I don't have to wonder if I'll ever be able to succeed in living a life poured out that has impacted the lives of countless others, I KNOW, I CAN!  And I know because they have and do right in front of me everyday!  THANK YOU JEUS, THANK YOU JEUS, THANK YOU JESUS, THANK YOU JESUS!!  Somone once posed a rather serious question that we should all consider and take close to our hearts.  What ever it is that you are doing, what ever it is that you have committed your life to, whatever it is that fills your day when you rise until you sleep again, ask yourself; "What will it matter 100 years from now?"  Really, when you are no longer on this earth and have entered into eternity on the other side of time, what will you have spent your life doing?  What eternal value does it  have?  If you have impacted the lives of another, it was valuable.  If what you are doing is simply serving yourself, I invite you to make some catastrophic size CHANGE in your life.  Pray and ask God, what you are "supposed" to be doing, and do it!  That, my friend, will make you a great man in deed! 

 

Thank you Bro. Mike, thank you Pastor Philip... my eternity has been changed because you have done this.  I pray that God will allow me to be such an example to and have such an impact in my students' lives and will be worth it all 10 times over.  Thank you I love you!

 

P. S.  To my viewing audience, I encourage you to... "MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!!"

Greetings everyone.  The first quarter is almost over.  The last day of the quarter will be October 10th.  I have no complaints.  I am very proud of our students, families, faculty and staff of Gem School.  The flow for school seems to grow more and more graceful as time goes by.  There are a few things that I mentioned this past summer that I would like to follow up on.  I mentioned that I was looking for textbooks, desks, and chairs for school.  The Mission Board from Kwajalein has paid for our Math textbooks from Houghton Mifflin.  We ordered math books for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades.  We expect to receive them within the next two weeks.  That is very exciting.  I received a quote this summer for 30 desk/chair sets from bizchair, unfortunately, they do not deliver overseas and the cost of arranging everything to get them to Ebeye was a bit much.  The Chair of the Mission Board has actually located about 15 available student desks from Kwajalein and we are working on arranging to have them delivered to our school hopefully very soon.  God bless those awesome people at the Mission Board.  I also mentioned that now is as fine a time as any for philanthropy to shine in Kwajalein Atoll and that I would love to have started either a sponsorship program or a scholarship program for our students.  My efforts over the summer were limited, but I am happy to say that something appears to be brewing of that nature.  A few weeks after school began a couple from Kwajalein came to our school and informed me that they noticed that there are several children who run around the island all day and do not attend school at all.  Assuming that this was due to financial reasons, he and his wife wanted to do something about it.  He said that they plan to raise money to provide scholarships to families that would like to send their children to school, but can't afford to.  They were checking with all the schools on island to see how many vacancies were available on island.  I haven't heard back from them since then but I hope their efforts turn out to be fruitful, even if just for a few children.  I was also informed that someone from the Mission Board has started a sponsorship program through the chapel on Kwaj and that a few of our students may benefit from that this year.  We shall see.  So, as you can see, we have a lot to look forward to and a lot to be grateful for. 

 

Our new classroom is finished and has been dedicated.  It is very nice.  The guys worked very hard on it.  I enjoy teaching there.  Our campus continues to grow more and more beautiful with each addition (the school, the church, the new classroom, etc.). 

Also, I just celebrated my birthday for the 3rd year on Ebeye.  They are really awesome and know how to make a person feel celebrated.  Mrs. Grace gave a beautiful speech and I would have cried if I were the type. (lol)  The women's group, JRJ, bought a beautiful cake for me from the Kwaj bakery.  It was one of the most beautiful cakes I have seen.  Many thanks to JRJ, the youth girls, the students and teachers of Gem school, my neighbers and the youth boys who shared so much love and made my birthday another special one.  YOU ARE AWESOME!  Amy has a birthday coming up in November.  I am excited to celebrate it with her.  I have actually been a little homesick this time around.  That is an unusual feeling for me.  I did not experience feeling homesick when I left home and went to college in another state immediately after high school.  I did not feel homesick during my first two years here (not much anyway).  But this year has certainly been different.  Perhaps it is an indication of a change of season in my life...  I won't overanalyze the situation.  I'll simply get over it and do my job.  My blog entries have been a little boring perhaps.  I'll try to add a little spice to some of my up and coming ones.  I didn't share that I got to ride a motorcycle on a couple of occasions.  It wasn't really a mororcycle, it was a moped, but it was fun.  Belinda also has some extremely exciting news to share, but i'll have to ask her before publishing it on the world wide web. 

 

Hasta luego amigos and much love,

Dana

Iakwe aolep!  Greetings from the RMI!  I have lots to share but a limited amount of time.  Let's see, where to start.  First of all CONGRATS to the Nyemba family on their new beautiful baby girl, Trinity.  She is gorgeous and I absolutely love her.  I am looking forward to seeing her soon (in person).  Good Job Trecie and Nyasha!  I love you guys.  I am also excitedly awaiting the arival of Stephen Lemon.  You can do it Tuesday and Eric.  I love you guys too.

 

Now, for the Islands.  School is going great.  I guess you could say 'business is booming'.  Mrs. Twyla is our Kindergarten teacher and she has about 35 students.  Ms. Amy is the First grade teacher and she has about 37 students.  Ms. Belinda is our Second Grade teacher and she has about 30 students, and I am the third grade teacher and I have 17 students.  A lot of people have been asking about Pre-school but we do not currently have a pre-K program.  That may be something that Mrs. Grace is interested in pursuing, we'll have to wait and see.  We have a new classroom under construction, in fact, it is practically finished.  Mrs. Grace informed us that they were able to build it debt-free...TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!  We are expecting to continue to see God show Himself Mighty on our behalf in similiar ways as we continue to grow.  The third graders are preparing to take our first standardized test, the MISAT.  My understanding is that it will be administered at the end of the school year.  I have confidence in our students and I believe God to help them to do their absolute best, for His glory.  My class is learning the books of the Bible this year and how to navigate through it.  They have memorized the first 15 books of the old testament and cand find books, chapters and verses in the English Bible without help.  We are working on strengthing the reading skills and reading comprehension of all our students too.  They are so adorable, you gotta love 'em!! 

 

N-E-who, the big question that everyone has been wondering about i'm sure, is 'how is Ms. Amy doing?'.  Ms. Amy is doing GREAT in my estimation.  She has adapted to the culture, and conditions quite well.  She is a team player, always willing to help where needed, is giving and has an overall good attitude.  I'm glad she is here.  She makes me laugh a lot.  I had no idea she was that funny before she came.  Surprisingly, she is afraid of creatures, and I of all people, have had to come to her rescue on more than one occassion.  Having her here has been a blessing.  She recently attended a birthday party for Pastor Hone's granddaughter.  She surprised me by dancing and giving a speech.  She has tried some of the local food including turtle and liked it.  She has connected with her students and they love her.  I am very proud of her. 

 

I have lots more to say, but I gotta go now.  I'll be in touch.  Be a blessing!

Dana

Greetings everyone!  Please except my apologies for taking so long in between publishing entries.  I really will work on that.  N-E-who, I entitled this entry "Economy" because I wanted to update you all on the recent changes to the economy in our atoll (kwajalein) which have significantly impacted Ebeye.  I'm sure that there are many factors that I have no knowledge of so I will try to present my comments in a non-judgemental fashion to be fair.  Basically, the US military has made a loy of changes on the Island of Kwajalein and as a result there have been a lot of jobs lost.  Americans have been definitely been effected but the majority of the jobs lost have been those of Marshallese workers.  My understanding is that there have been over 100 Marshallese workers left without employment.  These individuals were in many cases the only source of income for several families.  One working individual often times supports more than just his or her immediate family.  As a result, many families are having to choose between paying tuition for a child's education or buying food for the household.  Anyone who has leaned an ear to Maslow can clearly see what is taking place and it is pretty sad.  This has certainly created an opportunity for philanthropy to to flourish at its highest peak and impact lives both now and to come. 

 

Can you imagine having to choose between paying for your child's tuition or feeding your child and barely being able to do either?  That is aweful!  As you can see, there is definitely a cause... a worthy one indeed.  As we continue to work on the infrastructure of our school and the many administrative edges that need to be wrapped a little tighter, there is now a very obvious need for a scholarship fund of some sort for our school.  E.G.C.S. has the lowest tuition on the island and still privides a very quality education to our students.  Tuition is only $35.00 per month.  $350.00 can pay for one child's education for a year.  I could swing $35.00 per month just by turning away the twinkies and snacks that are really unwanted calories anyway.  Sounds easy but there is red tape and such that needs to be addressed in order to set up a sponsorship program or scholarship fund.  By the Grace of God, we can make it happen soon and very soon because the need is now.

 

Apart from offering a little relief to families, the school has other tasks that need to be nipped in the bud this summer before we return.  We are working on getting textbooks for Reading and Math for grades 1-3, 30 desk/chair sets as our students are out growing our pre-school furniture, a copy machine, etc.  We can do it and we will, in the mean time, I choose to believe that there is an audience out there that can offer enlightenment in some area or another that would prove to be significantly helpful to us.  Don't hesitate to email me if that is you: simmons_dana@hotmail.com  We continue to learn as we go and believe God to cover us every step along the way!

 

We're having fun in this thang and the best is yet to come.  Tootle-loo and GOD BLESS EVERYONE OF YOU!

Much Love,  P.S.  pictures from Ebeye will be posted soon.

Dana

Belinda and I are home for summer vacation.  We have been thoroughly enjoying the fellowship of famly and firends and attending church as often as possible.  God is good!  Amy is excited and ready for the mission.  I am trying to locate (free) textbooks for our students.  I will be visiting with my in Ohio soon and am looking forward to that.  We will be heading back to the Islands so soon that I did not really make a wish list of things that I want to do here.  I guess I'm just kinda playing it by ear, relaxing and enjoying myself.  Did I ever tll you all how wonderful hot showers are?  N-E-who, I shall return soon.  God bless you all.

Dana

Howdy everyone!  We have been working on wrapping up this school year and preparing for report card day, the honor assembly, and the Kinder graduation.  We just had a spelling bee for our school.  It was fun.  I think it will be good that we will have it every year because it will help our kids to get used to standing before crowds, which will be helpful as we are raising them up to be leaders.  They did a good job but were really shy.  After the kids finished we surprised the parents by asking them to come and we had a spelling bee for parents.  We had about 5 brave souls participate.  They were given the same words as the kids but more money for their prizes.  It was cool and a lot of fun.  Belinda and I now have our roundtrip tickets home and back.  We will focus on enjoying our summer and the people at home that we love, but still have a lot that can be accomplished in preparing for another school year.  God has His hand on Gem School and things are working out quite well.  Praise You Jesus!  We love you Lord!!!!  I will be back soon to share with you all how the Honor Assembly and the Graduation went.  Thanks again for your prayers and support.  God bless Ebeye, God bless the Marshall Islands, God bless America, and GOD BLESS YOU!

 

Dana

Greetings everyone!  Here's a few updates and/or thoughts.  We just celebrated Education Week on Ebeye and it was a very interesting experience.  I say "interesting" to remain intentionally vague about the experience.  There is a lot that I could say but I will stick with the most positive aspects of everything.  We had the opening Ceremony on Monday, March 31st.  This event involves several speakers and is not usually fun for the kids at all but they endure it.  Tuesday was the parade and Wednesday was the Spelling Bee for grades 2-12 and I was fortunate to serve as one of the co-ordinators of this large event.  Our school won the second place prize for 2nd grade.  The kindergarteners and the first graders did not have a spelling bee.  Belinda served as a Spell Master and Judge and did a great job.  Thursday was the Kindergarten and first grade program and the Art contest.  Our School won several prizes for art (poster board contest).  The first grade class won First place for one of their posters and the second grade class one both first and second place for both their posters.  The kids did well and we are all extremely proud of our school.  Every worked hard and we all worked together "Wodde Jippel" as they say here in the Islands (unity-together we can).  I will be going now but will keep in touch.  Tootle-loo and thanks again for all of your support!  Jeramon non kwe!  (Prosperity to you!)

Dana

                                                                    ***NEWS FLASH***

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow, it was so cool.  For my birthday, Oct. 2nd, Pastor Hone let me go fishing.  We went in the Gem boat (my favorite boat to date).  Willie went with me (one of the youth boys who is so sweet and reminds me of a teddy bear).  Willie, a couple of the deacons and another youth boy, went fishing in the lagoon and in the ocean.  Willie and I caught somewhere between 5-7 fish.  (I say 7)  It was really fun and the fish were as long as my forearm.  They had really big teeth too that didn't seem to fit in their mouth.  I thought that was hilarious.  Probably because a lady that I know on Kwajalein recently told me that she was bit by a fish while snorkling.  N-E-who, on our way to an Island called Bigej, one of the guys pointed out to me a few dolphin going in and out of the water.  I almost missed them.  They were pretty far, but I did see them.  They were black.  It was really cool because before we left, I said that I was going to see a dolphin and catch a shark.  I didn't catch a shark, but the dolphins were good enough.  I also got to drive the boat for a little while.  My Ebeye Drivers license basically says that I can drive anything but heavy agricultural machinery.  Driving the boat was cool but I didn't do it for very long.  It was great being out on the ocean.  I think that was my first time away from the lagoon and on the actual ocean.  I really enjoyed watching all the sea birds try to catch fish and watching the fish jump out of the water.  I seem to be developing a slight faschination with ocean life and really really want to go snorkeling.  I haven't yet because I have convinced myself that I need tostay out of water that is sever thousand feet deep at least until I learn how to swim.  We'll see.  I've had several offers to go and pretty soon, I'll probably buy my own gear and go.  I'll keep you posted. 

I enjoyed another great birthday on Ebeye with my beautiful Marshallese family and my great friend Belilnda.  I am 28 years young and still feel like a kid in lots of ways.  It's pretty cool.  Not to mention how fabulous I look (can I get an amen!).

 

School has been very graceful this year.  Even more so than last year.  I am starting a cheerleading squad for my second grade girls.  THey love it so far.  I only taught them one short cheer and they are so excited.  The only catch is that I am not a cheer leader, never have been and know very little about cheering or flipping and stuff like that.  My kids think I know so I will do my best.  None of the schools on the island have it so Mrs. Grace thinks it will be good to have something new.  Pray for me and send me cheers if you know any. 

 

Belinda is having fun teaching her class how to read.  She is doing a great job as usual and is just enjoying everyday with the beautiful people on this Island.  She really is like a mother to a lot of the youth.

 

I have been considering learning how to hoola, but am not sure if that is considered some kind of forbidden dance.  They can really shake it. 

 

Well, I have to go now but will try to be back before another two months goes by.

Blessings and Increase!!

Dana

This blog is dedicated to two very awesome young ladies in Lexington, KY named Amy and Jenny.  Amy and Jenny actually had a fund raiser just to send care packages to Belinda and I and sent us all kinds of cool eats and nifty stuff and literature.  Thanks again ladies!  We love you guys.

 

Ebeye Gem Christian School is still growing and doing great.  We have approximately 37 kindergartenders and more coming, 30-some first graders, and 30 second graders.  Almost all of our students that finished the 2006/2007 school year came back again.  Belinda and I took this as a compliment.  Our kids are well behaved, even the kindergarteners.  We had very few kids cry during the first week and only 2 escapees during Kindergarten.      Most of my children have been returning their homework as well.  That is super compared to our beginning last year.  School seems easier in many ways this year and yet challenging in others.  We both want to do the best job possible and this requires a lot on our part.  We are more adapted to the culture and that helps.  We also have plenty of resources that were given to the school and our helpers and parents do a great job.  Mrs. Gracie is a super principal and we are privileged to be a part of Gem School on Ebeye.  We are excited about what good things God will do this school year.

 

I am so inspired to buy a speed boat.  If you have never had the experience of riding in a speed boat under a clear starry sky across the big blue in a tropical climate, man you aught to try it... you don't know what you're missing.  It's very relaxing.  N-E-who, back to school, our vision statement is " To raise up leaders of nations and of our community by the Word of God, equipping them with the best education possible, ultimately changing our tomorrow by the investments we make in our children today.  I really believe in the vision statement and many of the leaders of Ebeye have commented that they are very pleased with it as well.  So much so, that several of the governmental leaders have enrolled their children and grandchildren in our school.  Again, I feel priviliged to be entrusted with the education and equipping of the boys and girls that will lead their nation soon...all of our students.  Kommol Jesus!

 

Yours Truly,

Dana

Well, Belinda and I have made it back to Ebeye, MH for yet another wonderful and exciting school year.  I don't have much time before I have to head out to the boat so I'll keep this entry short and simple.   Pastor Jack and Pastor Philip preached the conference for four days.  The conference was an absolute blow-out!  It was awesome.  We had a lot of fun, the Marshallese sowed into 777 and this Kairos time we are now living in and we really enjoyed the time together. 

 

Belinda and I will be starting school on Monday and our classes are overflowing.  We have an abundance of literature resources that were sown to the school and we'll find them all very helpful i'm Sure.  We will be sowing some to other schools too.  We're excited about that.  

 

I am certainly making progress as I no longer sleep with the light on!  Praise Jehova.  You talk about progress!  Anij emon.  I love you all and will try to blog a real entry soon.  We covet your prayers. 

Tootles

Well, Belinda and I have made it home to KY.  We were received so wonderfully by the body and family and friends.  We will both try to make the most of our summer as we will be returning to Ebeye around the second week of August to teach for another year which we are both looking forward to.  Being home has been a blessings.  I have been relaxing and feel pretty refreshed.  It's about time for me to start preparing to train our new staff and to teach the Second Grade.  Belinda will be in route to Nigeria next week.  Her birthday is tomorrow.  I am in great expectation to see what surprises God has waiting for her in Nigeria... 

 

Going to the Marshall Islands has definitely been one of the best things that has ever happened to Belinda and me and has been a definite turning point in our lives and discovery of destiny (although so much more remains to be seen).  I presently believe that this will be my last year there, but we shall certainly see.  I do know that whatever God has for me I want it all.

 

God is soo good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  ANIJ EMON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Thanks to everyone for your financial support and prayers.  In Gen. 12, it talks about how God will bless those who bless me and I know that He will.  I love you so much. 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BELINDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Love,

Dana

Wow, has it been a year already?  Just about.  Our last day of school will be May 25th.  Belinda and I will be flying to Honolulu on June 5 and will arive in Lexington, KY on June 6th.  And if you're ready for some very exciting news, Belinda will be going to Nigeria for the summer.  She has not been home for about 10 years now.  I am so excited for her, I wish she could catch it all on video.  And if you are ready for more exciting news......................................................... Belinda and I have both decided to come back to Ebeye in August to teach for another year.  That's right, you read correctly, one more year for the both of us.  I am happy about it, but I have a different kind of excitment this time around.  I'm not sure if I know how to explain it.  One thing I do know is that I am so excited about going home in June.  I really want to take my mom out to dinner, go to the mall, eat everywhere, where clothes that I like, go to my church and actually understand, eat, eat, and did I say eat... I also am looking forward to the fellowhip of equally yoked relationships.  I am not simply referring to the spiritual, but every area.  I finally miss everyone and am ready to go home.  I am also, excited about coming back here and being with my students another year.  They are so great!!!  I love 'em.  I'm ready to dance like David, stand on chairs and run around the church and laugh histarically.  I am ready to visit my family, take a road trip, do something patriotic and the list goes on. 

 

We will be having a kinder graduation and honor assembly.  Our kiddos are going to wear caps and gowns.  The are going to be so darling.  I have lots of stories to share about school pertaining to my children.  Like today, when they tried to get me to touch these worms.  God bless 'em.

 

The deacons went fishing a couple of days ago and caught the biggest sea turtle I have ever seen in my life.  It was huge.  I have a pic.  Belinda said it is probably like 300 years old.  That thing is massive.  Unfortunately it is dying a slow and painful death as they have had it sitting on it's back for a couple of days cause they don't want to kill it until Saturday so they can serve it on Sunday for a celebration we're having.  I will not be partaking of the delicasies.   

 

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH AND AS I AM DISCOVERING MORE AND MORE EVERYDAY... THE WILL OF GOD IS SO FULFILLING AND SO AWESOME, THERE'S NOTHING LIKE IT!!  Whatever you do, don't sacrifice it for anything.

 

Dana