1st Semester Recap

It has been a while since our last update. We will try to recap the fullness of the first semester as best as possible. Without a doubt it has been a semester full of things anticipated and expected, as well as many unexpected things. Currently Audrey is in North Carolina healing from a scheduled shoulder surgery that she had back in early November. This surgery has been needed for over a year, and fortunately both the surgery and the recovery have been a success thus far. Mark has remained in La Paz to finish out the semester and will be heading back to the States for Christmas break Monday (Dec. 19th). The last month or so of distance has been difficult, but we known it is temporary and we are very thankful for that.

This semester Audrey has served as librarian while continuing to take online classes through Southeastern College. She has also taken on the role of discipleship leader with the junior girls. Audrey continues to manage of lot of different roles and responsibilities well, and has really shown herself to be a strength at building up the Highlands community. Mark has continued to teach high school history in what is now his 12th year teaching. He also continues as the senior boys discipleship leader. The senior class has now had Mark as their history teacher all four years of their high school careers. We believe in the value of consistency and longterm investment when it comes to our ministry at Highlands. We are committed for another year after this, and we look forward to what God will do as we pour into Highlands. We are in his hands, a good place to be, year after year.

The hikes with the students are always some of the bigger highlights during the first semester. We had not done them officially since 2019 (pre-pandemic) and so it was amazing to have that opportunity again. We hike a 25 mile, 3 day hike called the Takesi Trail with the 9th-10th graders. Then two weeks later, we hike a 35 mile, 3 day hike with the 11th-12th graders called the Choro Trail. It is an amazing opportunity to really connect with the students. Small talk fades quickly on the trail and real talk helps sustain the time. Sadly Audrey suffered a setback shoulder injury on the Takesi trail, but finished like a true trooper. Despite the setback, conversations about God and faith were had, and the hikes were a great opportunity to let the Lord work.

Another awesome thing about this semester was the return of many of the community events. The pandemic remains a contested topic here as the government requires masks while inside and still puts restrictions on returning to normalcy. However, the return of the Highlands Community Festival was a massive blessing for our school, and for the Highlands community. Along with that has been our community service days where the entire high school goes out and performs community service together.

Other things like Spirit Week and Team Color Day have rejuvenated the campus and given us many opportunities to pour into the Highlands family. One thing Mark will remember is helping organize the first ever Highlands Turkey Bowl football game on Thanksgiving. Mark and the Bible teacher organized a two-hand touch football game on Thanksgiving morning that had over 30 students and teachers sign up to play, while many others came and watched. Mark held multiple training sessions once a week leading up to the game to help teach the kids exactly how to play. He even had his discipleship boys over to the apartment to watch one of the Packer games (A win over the Cowboys). Needless to say, the Turkey bowl was a giant success, and one that reflects many of the community events where the relationships are at the center. It's through these relationships that we feel we can minister to the kids, either directly in conversation, or by seeking to model good Christian behavior.

God has been truly good to us by opening up these doors and opportunities to connect with the students and their families. We look forward to many more opportunities in the second semester as many other community events are scheduled that we have both never experienced due to the pandemic. Outside of school has also been a lot of fun, and although we feel like our Spanish is not progressing as much as we would like, we do know it is progressing, just at a turtle's pace (poco a poco).

Mark and the male staff at Highlands got entered into a soccer tournament on the weekends that somewhat mimicked the World Cup. This was an opportunity to connect with the greater community in La Paz. They did pretty well and earned 4th place out of 16 teams, and Mark finished 3rd in goals for the tournament. Mark also continues to play soccer every Friday in the teachers vs student game that has become a weekend tradition. It has become a staple for the high school and middle school. It is really cool to see people show up and socialize even if they don't play. It has also been a way for Mark to get to know the middle schoolers, especially because he will be adding a middle school history class next semester to replace a teacher who is not returning for the second semester. Besides soccer, things at church remain steady. We like our church because of the importance that is put on missions, the exegetical preaching, and the value placed on the family and training up the youth. It's cool for Mark to think back on his years in Awana growing up and then see it done here in La Paz years later and countries apart. (as pictured here. Awana in Spanish to Oansa)

The community at Highlands is always in prayer because of the turnover rate, but this year it feels stronger which is a praise. While separated for Thanksgiving was a bummer, Mark got the opportunity to celebrate with some of the guys at Lake Titicaca (pictured above). Please continue to pray for the community at Highlands, as well as opportunities to speak truth and chances to grow in our ministry here. Audrey will return to La Paz around January 24th and resume as Librarian, and Mark will add the extra class and have a lot on his plate. Your prayers and support are much needed and much appreciated. It is only through God and his providence over our life that we are able to do anything. We recognize that often and are thankful for the opportunity to serve Him in La Paz despite the many difficulties that come along with that. We feel especially blessed as of late, and are thankful for those sending their support and encouragement our way. The thank you's cannot be overstated. Please feel free to reach out and let us know how we can be praying for you. We hope to be more consistent in our updates next semester and stay better connected. God Bless.