March 8-12: getting ready for carnival

This week's photos were dedicated to preparations for the Junior Carnival.

Dave and I are junior class sponsors, and we enjoy spending time with the students, hanging out, helping out, and taking time to listen and encourage whenever we can.

Jacob is class treasurer, and as an officer, is very involved in the work of making events happen.

Their theme was Lord of the Rings, and most of these pictures are of the development of the volcano...Mount Doom!

March 7: Team Party

After all day of soccer and volleyball games at school, we gathered the softball players to celebrate our season. Coach Dave and Coach Bruce gave certificates to each player to commemorate a great season, and we enjoyed a slideshow of season highlights!

March 4: in the park

While watching 3K and 5K runs in Hann Park yesterday we were struck by the variety of scenes around us. Runners finishing their races with excellence, birds displaying their unique beauty, and women carrying firewood-- all part of God's wonderful creation. We thank HIM as we enjoy the blessings of these scenes!

March 4: update on Carol K.

Steve Kejr writes to thank people for praying. Overnite, they made all the
connections from Cote d'Ivoire, and went directly to the doctor in Charlotte
who says Carol has a partially detached retina that included the
macula, the part of the eye that gives the central focus.

The specialist has initiated a basic treatment and may do a more invasive
procedure in a couple days if this doesn't work. Continue to pray. Carol must
hold her head in a given position, even while sleeping. The Doc says
because the macula is involved we will not know for several months how her
vision will end up. May both Carol & Steve know God's peace.

Pray also for the team at ELWA in Liberia. This did not seem to be a good
time for Steve to leave many projects unfinished. 

March 3: Prayer Request

Please pray for these dear friends, Steve and Carol Kejr.

Received this morning from SIM:
Sunday morning Carol Kejr, then in Liberia, experienced symptoms of retinal detachment In her best, right eye. As there are no good eye doctors in Liberia they flew to the neighboring country of Cote d'Ivore to a better hospital in Abidjan and saw an eye doctor at 7:30 AM local time Monday, who confirmed the diagnosis and advised surgery ASAP. They barely missed one flight and are expected to arrive in Charlotte about 11:40am Tuesday. Pray they will be able to make all connections, that there will be an opening in the surgeon’s schedule for immediate surgery, that God will give real peace of heart to both Carol and Steve as they continue “trusting in His care”, and of course for God’s hand on the surgeon’s. Praise Him that our insurance was willing to pay for the airfare and cover the surgery!

February 28: Senior Cafe

One of DA's annual events is Senior Cafe-- a talent/variety show hosted by the senior class. This is the "senior act" at the end of the evening. We enjoyed the evening of raps, songs and skits... and the yummy desserts available for purchase as well!

February 27: Best Buds

Here's Jacob with his 5th grade Best Bud-- enjoying lunch and interesting conversation together! Best Buds happens officially several times per quarter, but the relationships continue throughout the daily lives of the students.

We have loved this about DA, seeeing the older students involved in caring and positive ways in the lives of younger students.

February 26: Twenty seven years!

Twenty seven years has gone by quickly! We have been blessed by God's goodness in our lives-- three wonderful sons, the privilege of serving Him in West Africa... we look ahead with confidence in Him for our future!

February 23: ELWA Radio

Please continue to pray for ELWA Radio as they share the gospel of Jesus Christ over the airwaves in Liberia!

February 23: ELWA Academy

Pray for ELWA Academy as they provide quality Christian education in Liberia.







(personal side-note from Mary: I can't resist posting several of Dave's pictures of the ELWA Academy students!

ELWA Academy was Danny and Joey's first school. SO many memories!

And I love the sight of of Liberian kids in their school uniforms! I miss living in Liberia!!)

February 23: ELWA Hospital

Dave, Burt and Mark with Les Unruh in front of ELWA Hospital.

Please remember to pray for this hospital as they shine the light of Christ while ministering to physical needs in Liberia.

February 22: reunion with friends in Liberia

Dave is enjoying reconnecting with many friends in Liberia. This couple, Steve and Carol Kejr, have been praying, encouraging people and ministering in many different ways to those involved with SIM and ELWA ministries over many years.

Although they've been living in Charlotte, they have been in Liberia for the past several months to help out with an urgent need in the services department.

February 20: Dave in Abidjan

Dave, Mark and Burt's travel to Abidjan went well, and they spent time visiting ministries, auditing and talking with SIM-related colleagues in Cote d'Ivoire.

February 16: W.A.I.S.T.

W.A.I.S.T was a lot of fun, we enjoyed a great weekend! The DA staff team beat the DA varsity to advance to the competetive league championship, but then lost to Senegal's top team.

We got sunburned and windburned, talked to lots of people, ate some hot dogs... a fun ending to a great season!

Jacob's team in the social league lost their first two games and won the last two-- one of which was pretty crazy! Here's a link to some pictures and his note about it!