Every year the teachers in our area graciously open their doors and allow us to take over for a day to teach healthy habits and host a fun program filled with music and dancing for an estimated 1200 students. In 2016 we began hosting a conference as a way to show our appreciation for their support in what we do. This year we hosted our third Teachers Conference with the help of our board of Directors, City Hope College, and our special guest speakers.
This group of amazing volunteers spent days tirelessly helping by setting up, filling gift bags, preparing snacks and lunch, as well as incorporating dance as a means to increase the understanding of the lectures, and praying over all of the teachers. With their help, we were able to pour into the lives of more than a hundred educators and give every single one a gift to thank them for all they do. Many of the teachers were touched through this ministry, and we made many personal connections while praying with them.
The cherry on top of this incredible week was the hike to Agua Zarca to pray for and dedicate their brand new school. Agua Zarca wasn’t on our radar until 2016 when we first discovered there was a village tucked deep into the mountains with no church and no school. Once we heard there were at least 30 school aged children with no school, we had to step in and do what we could to help. With a few phone calls to the department of education and an eager donor, we were able to start the process of building a school. The project was completed in February 2020 and the dedication took place the week of our teacher conference. We hiked 10 steep, muddy miles into the mountains and were received with so much excitement. All of the students were there with their teacher eagerly waiting for us. Each student was given a backpack and the teacher received supplies for her classroom. We prayed and dedicated it to the Lord in the presence of nearly the entire village. Once the dedication was over, the community prepared a meal for us and hosted a concert with their home made marimbas. It was quite the event!
God has opened many doors and given us favor with our local school program. We love doing ministry in the schools and we are so thankful for the teachers who allow us to make it happen.
