Last Friday is a blur. Oh, yes, I was preparing to leave for Shreveport, LA early in the morning and per usual, tried to accomplish too many things before needing to rise at 2:30 AM…to be at the airport at 3:30 AM for a 5 AM flight.

Hmmm…I don’t recommend it as a general flight option.

Sparing the details, the flight was uneventful, even changing planes in Dallas. When I arrived in Shreveport, Mary B [not my Mary G] was there to bring me to the Allendale/Lakeside area where our missionary teams live and work. Praise Academy, the grade school [including pre-Kindergarten] where many of the team teach or serve is located in the heart of the neighborhood. Jo and John Z were my hosts for the week, long time friends and community members from 1971.

Before I got the car door shut,  Mary waved to me from the front of the school and alerted her students playing outside during recess that Ms. Mary G’s Mom had arrived. In no time, I had four, five, six and more little ones surrounding me with hugs and greetings and cries of “are you going to come in our classroom?” They all were anxious to welcome me, wanting to keep me current of recent family news in the school. 

 “Did you know that Ms. Mary G’s Daddy died?"

I smiled and commented,” Yes, I had heard that…”!

The week was full and all too wonderful. Naturally, I participated in many classroom activities at school;  “Reading Workshop” with the young students, watching Ms. Mary G teach several classes [my first time]  and eating lunch with the entire school and faculty. I met Rich and Gay, a loving and generous husband and wife who heard about the school and now volunteer Monday and Tuesdays to bring a hot lunch, set it up family style and clean up with the students assistance.  Then there is Ms Joan, head of Praise Academy for 20 years, an incredible woman who has brought her talents and her heart for the students to create a miracle love and learning into a very challenging situation. Jo and John Z, who have been in the neighborhood for 7 years, are the heart and soul of the Phy Ed program and also do some math and science as needed…and lots more. Teachers of all ages give of their lives to serve these less fortunate young people and their families, including Gloria, who is continuing her college courses online so she can serve at Praise Academy. And the list of saints goes on...

Please pray for all these people in the Allendale /Lakeside neighborhood. They count on the Lord to keep them going, one day at a time. Keep in mind and heart all those who have asked for prayer in the past weeks, for healing and grace in times of difficulty or sorrow.

Pray also for our son, Jon, who was in a biking accident on Tuesday in Idaho. He was stationary at the time, but got hit by a car, sustaining shoulder and ankle injuries. Fortunately he is at his home recovering, slowly but surely. It could have been so much worse; his siblings and I are thanking God and Louis for heavenly intervention!

With extra gratitude tonight, I pray for each of you who read this entry.

Peace,

Nancy