"And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.  And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations..."  Isaiah 58:11-12

Before I get to the point of my writing today, I must follow-up on my last blog...you know, the one where we asked for $50,000 for our unsponsored students to finish the school year strong?  God never ceases to amaze me.  While we did not fully reach the $50,000 goal, we were able to pay every school bill that was immediately due.  So, we count that as a great success!  With almost $35,000 donated by so many of you generous people, we are able to finish the year stronger than we were before.  We had new donors who joined us, an incredibly generous church who gave, and so many who are already sponsors and supporters, who went above and beyond their monthly donations to faithfully support these efforts.  So, thank you to ALL who gave to our Unsponsored Student Fund!  We are forever grateful.

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 And, now for UNIVERSITY 101!

Benjamin Franklin once said, "An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest."

Nelson Mandela said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world."

And Solomon said, "An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge." (Prov. 18:15)

Friends, there is kind of a big deal we need to acknowledge.  Guess what?!  As of this summer, we (as in, you, us, our students--HIS CHASE) have been at this school sponsorship thing for FIVE years. I can't even believe it. Praise GOD for all He has provided over that time. 

Friends, we are nearing a one-year lapse in blogging. GASP! (Insert photo of me covering my face in embarrassment.)  I wish I could tell you a reason for my absence, other than just pure busyness.

But, actually, there are probably other reasons too.  Sometimes, when things are working well, and slow but steady progress is being made, you tend to wait before sharing news.  I don't know why that is.  There is SO much to praise God for, in this year of steadiness, security, and FINALLY some normalcy for the kids we love most.

Every time I've sat down to write, I couldn't quite put my finger on my hesitation.

I tried for days to write a blog describing our time in Rwanda back in November, with the His Chase students, only to come up short every time.  It wasn't that I didn't have words; I was still trying to figure out what it was we saw there.

And, then, over time, it's hit me.  

I will never forget where he was standing when it happened.