When do you say “full”?

“So tell me about your school,” the nurse continued. “I hear that you have about four hundred students this year.”

I had taken a student into the local government clinic to get a tetanus shot and was enjoying chatting with the nurse who is a SDA. I wasn’t sure if I should laugh or sigh at her statement though. We never did reach the 400 mark–but we weren’t far from it. By the time the official day for registration was over, we had registered just over 200 old students (which means we lost about 40 from last year) and about 170 new students.

Nothing had prepared us for the huge influx of new students. When we attempted to send some of them home, the response was negative in many ways. Most of them had already been on campus for a week or two. They didn’t want to leave and their friends didn’t want them to either. Most other schools had already started classes and/or closed registration. And on top of it all, traveling back home was nearly impossible for most of them due to things happening in this country right about that time.

The evening of the day that we dismissed that group of students found me greatly distressed. Some of the girls were crying as I went to worship. One of the teachers asked me to go back since they wouldn’t come to worship, so I stayed with them. I told them we would reconsider if possible.

Only after significant time in prayer that night and early the next morning did I have peace. It was in God’s hands. Even then, my heart ached with theirs. But the decision was not easy. Where will the money come from to feed all of them? How will we manage so many? The chapel won’t hold any more; the dorms are full.

* * * * *
Now, after telling them that they could stay (only 20 or so had left), we have names for at least 270 in the dorms and about 70 day students. We can’t fit everyone for chapel. The cafeteria is serving as classrooms. Teachers are tired. Only time will tell how many will stick through the school year though. After changing meal plans and trying to be stiff with the rules, we’re leaving the rest in God’s hands to take away those that shouldn’t be here.

This is just the beginning. Classes started a week ago, but the work of changing lives is already begun. Will you join us in this huge responsibility? Our teachers especially need your prayers as they are the ones who interact most with the students. Our students need your prayers that their hearts may be opened to receive Christ into their lives. We, the leadership, need your prayers. The things pressing for our attention and resources are great and many, but our God is greater.

“Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.” — John Flavel

One of our tenth-grade graduates who is now a teacher sharing for worship.

Lines for food.

No. We’re not putting them on a water diet. :)

Friends happy to be together for another school year.