“What's next?” We ask God that question often as well. While we thought our visit would be for a year in the States, we have found that now, more than ever, life in the States is busy. We have our two oldest girls getting ready to graduate high school in May. This is their senior year, and they are both dual enrolled at our local community college. Valerie is in the Culinary program and Alicia is pursuing her Associates of Science degree. They both have their permits and are busy learning to drive. Valerie can test for her license in May and Alicia can test for hers in September. We had the idea to come home and prepare the girls to be more independent and ready for their next stage of life. We originally thought we could return to Colombia after a year's time. It turned out to be more complicated than we thought. As soon as Valerie and Alicia are set to go, we will start all over again with Jaiden going into that stage of driving and being able to go to college as well.
Even though our heart's desire is to continue full time in Colombia, at this period in our life, due to family responsibilities, we cannot. So what does this mean for our mission work? We have decided, for now, that we will do short-term mission trips. Our hope is to have Nate go down to Colombia 2-3 times a year. He will be checking up on the filters we have installed, and also maintain relationships with those on the island. Nate has a desire to be more involved with discipleship and bringing better doctrine to Bocachica. (Colombia has very limited resources for mature doctrine.)
Nate has also been asked to help with a school that will be constructed on the island. This will be a bilingual school, for which there is a huge need! The current public school system on the island is very broken, and the education received is poor. The new school will be run by the local church in Bocachica, and the parents of the children enrolled will pay a monthly tuition. This will help hold the parents accountable to ensure they are involved with their child's education.
The goal is to build two classrooms and an office by the end of 2017. The estimated cost is around 8 to 10 thousand dollars (USD) per building unit. The school has already started classes in a borrowed building, and they are hoping to be in their own building this year. In September we will bring a team to Bocachica in support of this project. Please let us know if you would be interested in joining this team!
As the school is being built, the need for a full-time, English-speaking missionary to teach has emerged. This is a hard position to fill due to the living conditions in Bocachica. Please join us in prayer as the church continues to look for a willing volunteer(s).
This month we will be sending Luis Viracacha, a Colombian brother in Christ who worked alongside us on the island, to a seminar on household water treatment in Bogota. This will continue to teach him the latest information on water treatment and filters. Cawst is the name of the organization sponsoring this seminar, you can get more info by clicking here.
Although we are not physically in Bocachica, there is still ministry going on. We would love to continue the work to bring the gospel to maturity in all aspects of life on the island. If you would like to support us in these projects or with our short term mission trips, you can still do so. Our church, Antioch Community Church, has an account that keeps our funds for us.
Thank you for letting us bring our needs before you all. We are thankful for all of your prayers and support over the years. It has been an honor to serve the Lord in Bocachica, and we are thankful to be able to continue.
With love,
The Ariels
