Taylor Cleanup

We took the girls over to the school during the cleanup to give them an idea of what was going on. They enjoyed trying on the masks. We had to use them because the fire extinguisher chemicals were very irritating.

I (Laura) worked all day Monday, September 24, at the school. That night I had trouble breathing. By Tuesday I had a lung and sinus infection and decided to stay at home with the girls. I used the time to write a prayer letter that was a little overdue. After a round of antibiotics, my cold and cough are pretty much gone.

Jorge worked the rest of the week at school with the other teachers. The professional cleaning crew began working on Tuesday, September 25. They started in the library. Every book had to be taken down from the shelf, vacuumed, and boxed up.

Each teacher had to go through their classrooms, itemizing every thing that had to be thrown out. It was not a fun process! I had to throw out several text books that were thoroughly covered with chemicals. One of my 7th grade boys has asthma, and I didn't want him to have an asthma attack from using contaminated materials.

Each classroom was completely emptied. Everything had to be cleaned. All the books dusted off. Each desk and all the shelves were washed. It was a hot job out in the sun and 95 degree weather. Once the rooms were emptied, the windows were washed and floors cleaned and waxed.

Joe was the supervisor from the cleaning company. We really appreciate their help. On Friday there were 15 people on the crew. We were a little worried that we couldn't get everything done by Monday evening, but God gave us all strength.

I fixed lunch for everyone on Friday. We ate sopa de mani which is peanut soup from Bolivia. Everyone came over to WGM's guesthouse to eat.

The rooms were ready to move back into by Monday. We had to bring in all the cleaned furniture: teacher's desk, students' desks, shelves, tables, etc. Then we had to unpack all the boxes of books and classroom materials. My room had fewer things than some of the others. Jorge and the girls helped me all day Monday. We finished around 5:00 p.m. I believe the other teachers worked much later in the evening.

Tuesday, the students were back in school. It has been a good week altogether. I did find it a little frustrating to teach without some of the texts. This afternoon, the A Beka shipment arrived. We should have all our books for class tomorrow.

Thank you to each one who has prayed for us. We have felt your prayers. God has given us grace and strength to clean and clean and clean some more. I appreciate all the staff who have worked so hard. God has unified us in a beautiful way.

Thank you also to those who have sent in donations to the school. I'm sure there are some things that the insurance won't cover. Your donation will be put to good use to help the school and students.

Taylor Cleanup

We have talked to the insurance company. An adjuster is here now taking pictures and looking at all the damage. The insurance company gave us permission to call in a professional cleaning company. Just walking through the classrooms has irritated our throats and lungs and given us headaches.

We have called in a professional cleaning company. They have been to the school and know what they need to clean. They suggested that we close school for the entire week because they do not know how long it will take to clean everything. Most of our books and paper products will have to be thrown out. The cost of cleaning books page by page would be more expensive than re-ordering everything. We will inventory everything that they throw away and reorder from A Beka. After we pay a $500 deductible, the insurance should cover everything that has to be replaced.

A lock smith has been called in to change all the locks on the doors of the school and community center.

We staff met this morning and had a time of prayer together in the computer room. Mrs. Bocanegra encouraged us to fix our eyes on Jesus. She quoted from Jeremiah 29:11 and reminded us that God has a plan for our school, not to harm us but to give us hope. Mrs. Long, the first and second grade teacher, encouraged us to persevere. We are fighting a spiritual battle. We want the Lord to use us in this neighborhood to touch the lives of the children and families who live here. We prayed specifically for those who broke into the school and for our students and their families.

TAYLOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL VANDALISM

Taylor Christian School was vandalized Saturday night. The pre-kinder room was hit hard. The water was left on in the sink and over flowed on the floor. Glue was poured on the tables. All the wipes were pulled out and thrown on the floor and tables, as well as, the construction paper. The fire extinguisher was sprayed, leaving a film of chemical on everything.

The office was also a mess. The files were pulled out and thrown around on the desk and floor. There are snacks on the floor with pencils and other office supplies. The fire extinguishers were also sprayed in the offices, library, kitchen, and chapel room. There is a strong chemical odor in every room.

The director's office was thoroughly ransacked. The desk drawers were opened and emptied. They tried to get in the safe with a hammer, scissors, and a knife, but failed. Praise the Lord! Only a few things were stolen that we could tell (telephone and DVD player).

All the classrooms, except the computer and kindergarten rooms, were sprayed with the fire extinguishers. We called the fire department and were told that the chemical is an irritant. It will bother our lungs. Just from being there for an hour this afternoon, my throat and lungs are bothering me. We will have to wear masks and gloves when we clean up everything.

Mrs. Bocanegra, the school's director, called the police. They investigated and found lots of fingerprints. We called our insurance company and will wait for them to call tomorrow. We cannot start to clean up the mess until they see it and take pictures. School is canceled until we clean up the school.

We feel that Satan is unhappy with the ministry of the school because we have opened up 7th grade this year, the first time in several years. Mr. Cantu is our new teacher. He attended the school himself as a child. He has taught in public schools for many years. We are blessed to have him at the school.

Pray that God will bring good out of this. He has promised to do so.

Birthday

Laura celebrated her 46th birthday on August 20! Jorge brought roses to school. That was a nice surprise. One of her students, Clarissa, had the same birthday. Her mom brought pizza and cupcakes to school for lunch.

Taylor Christian School

Taylor Christian School began on August 20. Our enrollment is at 39 students. We would like to have at least 50 students. Jorge took this picture on Friday during chapel.

Laura is teaching Language Arts to the 5th and 6th grades in the morning. In the afternoon, she teaches Language Arts to the 7th grade. Mr. Cantu is team teaching with Laura. What a blessing! He has always taught the math and science classes.

Jorge is coaching the PE classes for the school. He also monitors all the recesses. That is a hot job here in south Texas! He is usually soaking wet when he finishes because the temperature is still in the high 90's here.

First Day of School

School began on August 20 at Taylor Christian School. This was the girls first time to attend school because I (Laura) have home schooled them up to this point. They looked so cute in their school uniforms. They were excited and apprehensive the first day. The second day, neither one wanted to return. There were lots of tears. Attending school all day long was a big change for them. After the first week, they have pretty much adjusted to school life.

Ariana is in the second grade. She loves her teacher Mrs. Long. She is doing very well and comes home with lots of 100's.

Ariela is in Kindergarten. Her grades are also very good. I have noticed her coloring and writing are improving. She won the good behavior award this week.

Soccer Ministry

On Thursday, August 30 we were thrilled to see 8 of our soccer boys show up to play. The word had gotten out that Jorge, el Coach Boliviano, had returned to McAllen. The boys played for a couple of hours with Jorge on our little soccer field here at the mission. Because McAllen has had so much rain this summer, the field is covered with green grass instead of dust and dirt.

The next Sunday afternoon, two teens from the neighborhood, Juan and Gilbert, came knocking at the door. They wanted Jorge to come out and play with them. Jorge was able to spend a couple of hours kicking the ball and sharing the Gospel with them. He told them that he also grew up in a Catholic home, but when he gave his heart to the Lord, God changed his life and his family as well. Juan seemed especially open as Jorge shared his testimony with them. Later that evening they returned and asked Jorge to come play with them in an in-door soccer league. He agreed to go with them. When he arrived, he found 8 of his soccer boys playing on the team. He played with them, and they won their game.

They played again a couple of days later, but the game was a disaster. The boys didn't want to take turns playing. No one was coaching the team. Jorge didn't feel free to coach them because two of the older teens were in charge. The team lost the game.

On Thursday, September 6, the boys again showed up for soccer practice. This time there were 22 boys! I (Laura) had forgotten to prepare a snack for them. I got home from school around 5:00 p.m. Jorge reminded me that the boys would be coming at 6:00 p.m. I checked the fridge for food and found oranges. I cut them into slices and then started our supper. The girls and I ate supper while Jorge played with the guys. I noticed that there were lots of guys and realized that I needed more snacks. I searched the fridge again and pulled out tortillas and cheese to make quesadillas. I also popped two bags of popcorn for them. Around 8:00 p.m. Jorge brought 12 of the guys in for snacks. We didn't even have enough chairs for all of them. He told me that the new boys left after the game. They didn't know to expect snacks. It was just as well because the ones that stayed ate up everything!

They had an hour meeting about their in-door soccer team. Jorge told them that they needed to share the time on the floor and their behavior needed to improve. They all agreed to let el Senor Boliviano coach them in their games. He also explained to them again that we are missionaries. He wanted to spend time with them to teach them about the Bible and how to have a relationship with God. He shared a short devotional with them.

The team played again on Saturday, September 8. They followed Jorge's coaching without any problems. Their behavior improved drastically. They won 6 to 2!

Prayer Requests:

1. Pray that their hearts will be open to God's Word.
2. Pray for Jorge to have wisdom and energy to coach them.
3. Pray that Laura will have strength to prepare enough snacks for them every Thursday.