It was a busy, busy 2010 year for the Flurrys.  From school to raising two kids, life went by fast.   Here’s a post to share some of our victories in 2010 and some of our challenges for 2011.  We thank you for your prayers…

  • Through PACA’s 50th Events, we touched base with over 1000 people, of which 300 were alumni families.
  • At the grand dinner finale in December, several parents heard for the first time how the school was started (Prayer and Sacrifice) and each guest was given a bilingual Port/Eng Bible customized in green, with school logo, and all gold trim.
  • Enrollment is 99% of school capacity
  • Waiting list for all grades keeps growing with lots of Christian families have been looking at PACA to place their children.
  • We are also receiving several Brazilian missionary families coming for furlough and wanting to place their kids at PACA (God has blessed us with the ability to offer them 70% off of their tuition costs).
  • We are building a new classroom off the high school wing, specifically for our science program.
  • The school’s finances have grown to have 6 months of reserve and we have 40% of our students receiving financial aid (so God has blessed us).
  • Several students have come to know the Lord and saying yes to following Jesus (even though their parents are not Christians).
  • Several high schools students went on a missions trip to the Amazon to serve and translate among doctors working with native Indians (and presenting the gospel through 1on1 relationships).  Three of these high school students recommitted their lives to Jesus.
  • Vanessa was the assistant cheerleading coach and was able to connect with 5 girls.  Next year, they want Vanessa to take over as head cheerleading coach.
  • I was immersed in 50th events and am glad to have made it through the year.

 

Some school items that need prayer coverage:

  • There is a growing feeling among the missionary community that PACA is too expensive and not there with them.  This is mostly due to the low exchange rate (dollar lost 40% of it’s value since 2009).  We give missionaries a 65% discount on the monthly tuition rate…  But, we have heard lots of grumbling.  We need wisdom on to work with this part of our community (which is now a minority – only 25% of our student body).
  • Lots of pressure from parents that PACA should grow their enrollment since there is so much demand, but this means some mega construction investment.  The Board needs prayer over this.
  • We need to recruit a History high school teacher, high school principal, and a kindergarten teacher (so far) for next year.  Pray for my superintendent who is the one making contacts with candidates (if you have any suggestions let me know).
  • I need to update lots of marketing items: brochures and website.  And we need to present in English and in Portuguese (which means double work).
  • The school is looking to purchase homes to house teacher/administration families but housing prices are high and keep going up since Brazil’s economy is going strong (which is why the dollar is weak).

 

On another note, thank you so much for those who pray and financially supporting us.  You won’t believe what a huge blessing your gifts have been, especially since the dollar is at R$1.67 but food prices are 80% higher then in 2009.  Just fyi, a big mack macdonald’s meal costs US$11.00, a gallon of gas is US$ 6.24, and a gallon of milk is US$7.00.  Which means going to dinner is a real treat and reserved for special occasions.

Some Flurry prayer items for 2011:

  • For Vanessa’s anxiety attacks to diminish and that the doctor prescribes a good treatment plan (anxiety attacks caused by food allergies to milk products and spices).
  • We need a new home that is drier (less mold in walls or on floors), close to PACA, and fits our budget.  All this is due to Samuel’s and Kevin’s asthma crisis and every time we get a huge rainfall our house gets close to flooding (I’m an expert in gauging rain fall and how to quickly use the squeegee to push water out of the way).
  • Increase Personal support – with the dollar’s devaluation and increasing food prices (80% increase in the last 2 years), we need to raise another $500-$750 in monthly support.  This will have to be a God thing due to the economic situation in the USA.  For example, we need to start saving up for an emergency reserve fund for things like flying back to the USA due to death in the family, college fund, retirement, and medical bills.  Please pray with us that God would lead us to supporters and lead supporters to us.
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