School Anniversary LXVIII

March 6, 1956

My first year in Camiri, the school was celebrating its Ruby anniversary, and even though I wasn’t the youngest among the school staff; I was the “new kid on the block.”

I had just graduated from college in the USA and moved to live in Bolivia with senior missionaries and founders of the school, no money, and many questions in my mind about the future as I was adjusting to a new culture.

In short 28 years I have become the oldest school staff member. I am a teacher, but I have been Secretary, Principal, Vice Principal, Janitor, Counselor, Digital Content Administrator, Photographer and even Coach at different time periods. I am happy to fulfill my vocation and divine call in this place and with these people who I love

Above all, I celebrate God’s faithfulness to the school and to me!

The School and The Avocado Tree

The avocado tree in the backyard must have taken years to grow that tall and to be that colossal. This year’s crop was exceptionally abundant. I could have made quite some money if I sold them, but it was a delight to give them all away to friends, neighbors and anyone passing-by.

I became aware, however, that the combination of the sky-high branches, the law of gravity and the rocklike seeds of the avocados could have been dangerously damaging to one’s skull (thankfully nobody got hurt); but as they fell down they destroyed part of the roof and made some holes.

It was a hard and drastic desicion to cut off half of such fruitful tree. Its foliage is surely missed. Now I have to patiently wait at least two years before I can enjoy another harvest from it. During this pause time I need to constantly be checking on the tree new shoots to keep them in a acceptable direction and beneficial height.

The Christian School in Camiri is facing some radical changes for the near future. After 64 years of service some “branches” have grown up to the point of bringing complications of all sort. These areas need our attention to be dealt with and we believe COVID-19 has set up the conditions to take action now.

Just like with the avocado tree, the trunk and roots are still there. Some things in the Christian School are strong, worth-keeping and nonnegotioable. We wish to go on with the same mission and vision of its founder (Mr. Eugene Train), maintain the spirit of service to the community and bear fruit, much fruit.

CanadaTeam 2018

The team from Canada that visited us in Camiri last year to help us in different projects around the school came back this year for another week of hard work, generous support, wonderful comradeship at church retreat, school people, other workers and I myself certainly enjoy each minute of having them here to share the vision, talk and fellowship over meals and cups of tea.

Last October when I had the blessing to visit this church and their fundraising banquet; the project was explained and discussed. It was accepted as a challenge since the funds were not sufficient, the time was short and ultimately the rainy weather and the festivities of Carnival also joined in as complications to be able to accomplish the goals set for that week.

Miracles do still happen. In spite of the noisy festival in the streets and the moments of pouring rain, by Saturday, the day of their departure, the concrete for the second floor room was getting dry by the warmth of a sunny morning. The plan had worked out and the mission had been attained. We had behold God’s hand every step of the way.

Phase 1 is done. Now the second part is to begin soon and hopefully in the course of this year, the school will have this multi-purpose large room to be used for chemistry experiments, Choir rehearsal  area, teachers/parents meeting hall, faculty and staff lounge, place for chapel time, workshops, seminars, etc.

If anyone would like to be part of this work, drop me a note, there are many ways you can get involved and anyone with a heart to bless others is qualified. Come and let’s build together and each other.

Read more of their week experience in their own journal: Oakridge Bible Chapel 2018 mission trip

 

Celebrating Anniversaries

This year I got to celebrate two anniversaries of two very special and respected academic institutions:

Emmaus Bible College started in 1941 in Toronto, Canada under the leadership of three men: R.E. Harlow, John Smart and C. Earnest Tatham. In 1947 growing enrollment lead to the establishment of a campus in Chicago and 1953 the school acquired the YMCA building. In 1984 moved to a 17-acre campus in Dubuque, Iowa and received accreditation to grant bachelor degrees. Today is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

 

Escuela Cristiana Camireña was founded in 1956 in Camiri, Bolivia by educators and missionaries Eugene and Loraine Train. Some of the same old adobe-brick classrooms are still there, but by God’s providence there is also a new building with air-conditioned classrooms.

It has been a wonderful experience for me to be in the celebrations of the many years of service and to hear old and new stories of many people through the decades whose lives’ purpose, direction and meaning have been given, marked and taught by the teaching, influence and counsel of Godly men and women.

The topic of GOD’S FAITHFULNESS has been repeatedly brought up in the two celebrations. Dr Daniel Smith pointed out three ingredients of faithfulness:

1.- Character: There has to be integrity, honesty and rectitude.

2.- Commitment: Able to keep his word, a promise, a guarantee.

3.- Capability: The ability, the power to carry out.

In conclusion, God’s faithfulness is something:

He DOES and He IS.

Useful Tool (5)

Not too long ago one of my students asked me “What did you want to be when you were a kid?” He gave me a skeptical look when I answered him “a teacher.” As if it would be impossible to become what you dreamt or wish to be as a kid. In my teen years I also became interested in “missions” and like my student, I had my doubts as well that one day I would be doing missionary work and teaching at the same time. I never imagined the process, the where and the how, but little by little, step by step God made all things fall into place and even circumstances and events I thought were “a waste” made sense of why I had to go through.

The thought of me fulfilling “The Great Commission” in the “traditional” way (preaching to strangers in a foreign land with different language, food and customs) was the most scary thought.  That is why I love what I do and where I am. It is a blessing for me to serve my Lord in a school setting for the following reasons: 1).- People don’t know me as missionary, but as teacher. 2).- The classroom has given me close contacts. 3).- The school provides work hours and I don’t forget the feeling of excitement for weekends and days off. 4).- Teaching, if anything, is influence. 5).- Teaching is a lot of fun.

I know God calls each one to different things and areas of ministry according to the gifts given, personality, background, training, etc. However having a teaching certificate is a useful tool in the Lord’s work wherever you are. As for me, there is no greater joy.

“It is a beatiful thing when

a career and a passion

come together”

 

60 Anniversary

1956-2016

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

The Future of Christian Education

The future arrives one day at a time. Today is yesterday’s tomorrow and in matter of hours; Today will turn into yesterday. Nobody can tell with certainty what the future, near or far, will bring. We all “live in the question” about the future and can only take moments one by one and no more, without exceptions.

“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15).

Christian Education today faces many challenges and these bring questions and doubts about tomorrow. All we can do, really,  is live today, take the unique opportunity and enjoy the moment. For the way I choose to live today, will have an effect on tomorrow.

 

 

What’s the impact of a Christian School?

When Jesus asked his disciples “Who do men say I am?” we can see no one nailed it in the answer as Peter (Matthew 16:13-20), BUT on the other hand; people were not all that “off track” when they identify him with past men of God, the prophets. I find a similarity with what people think of a Christian School for I often have to explain that our school is not a reformatory and there is no guarantee that a troublemaker will be straightened out, but many parents do bring their kids because they know they will be taught Christian values and hope that their child’s bad behavior will change.

The Bible and prayer have influence into people’s hearts and I see with my own eyes that even though not all our students profess to be Christians, they do drink less, smoke less  and have better conduct and morals.

The degree to which the Bible, the written Word of God, is central in a school is in proportion to the impact it will have in the lives of staff and student body; for the Bible is the only life-changing book with a living and powerful message. The impact of a Christian school is light in the darkness that cannot be hidden.

The Role of a Principal

A school principal is the primary leader in a school building. The job of the principal covers many different areas and is hard work. Founder and director of the Camiri Christian School, the late missionary Eugene Train, left me with an example to follow as he is remembered as Pastor,  father-figure, mentor, and as a compassionate person with high standards.

 The most important job of the principal, in my opinion, is not done behind a desk. As a leader, the principal must find time for the most time-consuming work: people. He must be available to teachers, staff members, parents, students and community members. The work with people is an ever ongoing work; for we as persons, regardless age, are never completed; we will always have areas for improvement, change and growth.

Although the principal must take decisions, he is not the boss. Decisions are to be made with a servant attitude for the well-being of the people in his care at school. The Principal is responsible of the work and people of the school. A fundamental and vital part of a job well done is people and people do and give their best when motivated, inspired, infused and encouraged by a good leader.

“The true measure of leadership is influence –           Nothing more, Nothing less.”

Keeping up with technology in a Christian School

I do think that technology is helping societies interact in ways that were never possible before; Internet, multiple social networks and specially cellphones have had a great impact on society, human relationships and the way we communicate with each other. I am not writing today about the positive and negative aspects; the fact is that Cellphones have swarmed over our lives in the home, workplace, school and churches; they are the source for communication, interaction, entertainment, information, business, etc. Facebook, YouTube and Whatssap are the most commonly used by young and adult people alike.

A Christian School cannot afford to fall behind technology, but integrate it in ways that teach the students the prudent, judicious and wise use of cellphones and social networks. To answer “how” is more than writing a certain-of-number-steps formula. A Christian teacher must come up with principles that will govern his life in the good use of technology and teach by example. I must find the balance and demonstrate what a life is with and without a cellphone.

“Everything is permissible,” but not everything is helpful. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything builds up.” (1 Corinthians 10:23)