March Update

I (Jason) am a naturally enthusiastic person. I am easily excited, and I’m always ready go. However, I don’t know about you, but right around the middle of winter I always start losing motivation to do things. It’s cold, it’s dreary, the sun is always hiding, and did I mention that it’s cold? And yet God is still good, and He never grows weary. This winter I have been challenging myself to remember His goodness and faithfulness, and to encourage others to do the same. So I hope I can encourage you by sharing what God has been doing at PICS and in our lives.

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In Our Weakness, He Is Strong
 

As I have said before, this year is the lowest enrollment in ICS history. Just three years ago, we had over 180 students, and we are currently at 127 students. And yet our God is big, and he uses the weak to shame the wise. In a recent fundraiser for our mission team, the Penny Wars, students, staff and parents brought in spare change and cash in order to support the students who will be going to the Philippines in March. We set a school-wide goal of $1500, then completely blew that out of the water by raising over $3700 in 10 days. That’s more than what this event has raised in the LAST 4 YEARS COMBINED! Furthermore, let’s remember that we’ve also had a hugely successful Donations Drive in December, and the largest Fall Festival in November. God is surely doing great things here!


           

Training Up the Youth

This year has been a very challenging year for our boys’ sports teams at ICS. Over half of our volleyball, basketball, and soccer teams were made up of middle school students. Our volleyball and basketball teams went 1-9, and with 75% of the soccer team being middle schoolers who have never played before, a winning season seems very unlikely. Except, regardless of the win-loss record, all of our teams have won what matters. Our boys have learned what it means to rise to a challenge, to never give up even when defeat is imminent, to push themselves beyond their limits, and to trust in their teammates and their coaches.  Because of the godly men serving as their coaches, they are being taught about sportsmanship, attitude, and teamwork. They are becoming men, and that is more exciting than any trophy or plaque hanging on our walls.

Family Life

Isaac will turn 1 next month. It’s incredible to think about how much he has grown, and how quickly the months have passed! In the last 2 months he's cut his first tooth all the way to his fourth tooth...they seem to be getting worse each time! He is just beginning to take steps on his own, and his curiosity is insatiable. It’s fun to watch him as he discovers new things about his world and tries to mimic mommy and daddy. He has recently begun dipping his spoon in bowls to mimic eating, and tonight he climbed up on to the couch without assistance. It’s so fun to watch him grow and learn. It’s really powerful to see him do something that we’ve taught him to do too. (Like putting clips in a bag or putting his cup on the table instead of throwing it on the floor.) As with all children, he is ever changing and growing, but now we can really begin to see his learning!

Area Church Life

With the beginning of the year brought several new studies into the Word and teachings at our church. In the Women’s Ministry alone we began our Women’s Sunday school study of the Book of Esther, MOMS group study of mothers in the Bible, and monthly events, including an unexpected Valentine's dinner. Things are becoming more stable for this ministry that didn’t exist last year! Our Pastor has been preaching from Genesis for about a year and it’s been an incredible time of learning. Just recently we’ve noticed that the teachings from the sermon and Sunday school and MOMS have all lined up to the generally same concept-relying on God’s faithfulness and God’s plan in seemingly rough times. (Come to think of it, this morning’s Elementary chapel was also the same topic!)

Prayer Requests

-       One of our 9^th grade students recently admitted to me that she doesn’t think she’s really a Christian, that’s she’s just going through the motions. Please pray that she would fervently seek God during this time and that he would transform her heart and mind.

-       Please pray for our students who are going on the mission trip to the Philippines. Most of them are either nonbelievers or are very new believers.

-       Please pray for our school as we hire teachers for next year. We have currently filled 4 of the 13 open positions. We are especially needing math and science teachers

-       Pray for our students who are leaving/have already left ICS this year. Most students have left because of their families moving away but regardless of the reason we can no longer be an influence in their lives. Pray that God uses someone else to reach them and disciple them.

-       Pray for our students’ parents, whom many are not believers, and our students who are grappling to understand and trust God’s eternity without those parents.

-       Please pray for Gail, Isaac, and me, that we would remain faithful to the calling God has placed on us, that we would serve him wholeheartedly in all areas of our life. 

With all our Love, 

The Lantzes