February with Valentine's Day on the 14th is mid-way between Christmas candy with peppermint and chocolate and Easter candy with sickly-sweet gummy candy. Our February has been like the best kinds of candy, both sweet and salty. There have been some days salted with tears, and many more days with sweet memories.
On the salty side Dave has needed to make some tough calls about complex student issues, heard final decisions from staff that are leaving at the end of this year, and spent focused time discipling student through the consequences of their behavior. On top of that, one or more of us at a time have been sick with a cold or flu throughout the month...so some tears, but even more snot. Even in the midst of the tears, these challenges provided opportunities for Dave to show unconditional love for students and explicitly share the Gospel.
On the sweet side we were able to hold something like our traditional basketball tournament for first time in many years. The Winter Classic was three days of basketball and all the teams invited this year were from non-Christian schools. Guest players, coaches, and parents alike commented on the unique community we have at ICSB, paving the way for Gospel conversations. Our older two kids loved playing in the Pep Band, and all three soaked up special time with friends in the festive atmosphere.
With the war in next-door Ukraine entering its second year, Nora worked with her fellow House Council members to collect donations, which will be delivered to the war-torn nation by one of our ICSB families working inside the country. She is stretching from her comfort zone by taking on more leadership roles and modeling Christ-like love and care for others.
And the icing on the cake was an adventure-filled visit from Team Grandma (my mom and Dave's mom) over our Winter Break! It's been an encouragement to have them here for the first time since before the pandemic started. We spent the time doing puzzles, playing games, exploring Budapest, and sharing in meaningful conversation.
We end our sweet and salty month thankful for the time with friends and family, for you our partners, and for the honor of serving the Lord with you at ICSB. Thank you for partnering with us in supporting missionaries, disciplining students, and proclaiming the Gospel in Hungary!
Praise God for sending workers into the harvest field byproviding three people to cover K-5 music needs this year and a highly qualified teacher who has accepted the music position for the 2023-24 school year!
Pray for healthy bodies for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year. Dave has two herniated discs in his neck. He is undergoing physical therapy, has increased mobility, but still has pain.
Pray for staffing needs for the 2023-2024 school year. Pray especially that God will provide kindergarten and third grade classroom teachers. If you know of anyone who may be interested in serving God at ICSB with us, please connect us!
Dates to pray over in March:
February 27-March 3: Spiritual Impact Week involves daily chapel sessions, integrated school worship, and Gospel presentations. Pray for changed lives.
March 7: Coffee with the Lower School Principal (Early Grades)
March 10: Coffee with the Lower School Principal (Middle Grades)
March 11: Middle Grades Boys and Girls Basketball Tournament
