Embedded Files
SEPTEMBER - 2026
1st Quarter is always designated, in our minds, as time to adjust to the "growing pains" of everything new: new school year, new Dormies, new routines. We are praising The Lord that our "growing pains" have been characterized as "growing privileges." It is a privilege to serve in this capacity and our new Dormies make this service a pleasure. Thank You Lord, for whom You have brought to us!
We have been blessed with an overall, quite responsible and self-regulating Dorm. We have been able to use the extra time/energy we have because of this, to reinvest into our own children, further vision-cast our future/timeline here, and continue to creatively build a Kingdom Culture in our Dorm. This quarter has, thus far, allowed us to dream big dreams with The Lord.
We have been establishing what we call a "relational foundation" with our new Dormies. This simply means being intentional to build relationships with them and establish ourselves as trusted people in their lives. This has been extremely successful. During this time we have also been able to enjoy a wonderful rapport with our current seniors. A quote from one of them: "We want you to take care of us... It's really nice." Can those in student ministry ask for much more than students outright asking for care?
Our own children are continuing to see this ministry and this place as their life now. Eva and Levi have both expressed that it feels very normal to be here and in many ways they have found much happiness. Vonna continues to take time: she misses the States - it's culture, it's food and of course family and friends. She is making tremendous progress with her adjustment, however, and has verbalized that it is Jesus who makes it possible.
As we look to the future, we hope to begin making "withdrawls" from our students - this simply means since we have established ourselves in their lives, now we have the credibility to begin making the "big asks." Do you have a genuine, fruit-bearing relationship with Jesus? Do you know how to study the Word? What questions about faith in The Lord can we answer? What does the Lord's Will for your future look like?
Disciple-making is not instantaneous. It is a process. We greatly look forward to beginning the next steps of that process this new quarter. Pray with us! Contact us! Let's "Come and See" what Jesus has in store together!
"...I exhort the elders among you: shepher God's flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but freely, according to God's will...not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." - 1 Peter 5:1-3
JULY/AUGUST - 2026
“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Thank you everyone for your patience! Between trying to recharge during the end of our summer and starting a new school year, things have fallen a bit behind with updates…but we are back! (This update will serve both July and August).
We ended our summer in Davao with Ellie’s parents. It was a much needed time: Quality family time, fellowship with brothers and sisters in the Faith through house church, a boat trip, hanging out on the water, and PRAYING over our family and school year. Thank you Lord for Your comfort, rest and encouragement. Along with rest and relaxation, something else was brewing behind the scenes - our new Dormies were being accepted and placed! Which leads us to…
The 2026-2027 school year has begun! We came home to some newly renovated spaces in the Dorm. We then welcomed (after many late nights at the airport) 5 new Dormies! 4 of these “newbies” are brand new to Boarding and Faith Academy while 1 was acquired from another Dorm. We are praising God for bringing us a batch of Dormies who all seem enthusiastic to be a part of our Dorm 1 (“The Neethling Nest”) family. As the students say, “the vibes are immaculate.”
The beginning of the school year is always a “hit the ground running” experience. We started the year with “Family Home Weekend.” While the big trip to the beach is reserved for 2nd semester’s FHW, 1st semester we stay local and introduce the newbies to all the stuff: we had a pizza/game night along with some orientation, took them on their first outing in the city (arcade, indoor play place and mall for lunch/shopping), All-Dorm cookout (main course cooked by Tyler) and finally All-Dorm Church on Sunday to conclude. Whew…what a weekend; a great success given by our Great God and a great team.
Transitioning to a new school year after a very “low-key” summer has been eventful for the kids. Eva has aggressively adapted to her new schedule and teachers and is crushing it (as she does). She is also having many “deepening of her faith” moments with us and we are praying these moments will stick. Levi is enjoying a lighter academic workload and is thrilled to be with his friends again, while also learning the classroom dynamic set by his new teacher. Vonna is still having difficulty with the stimulation and demands of school. There have been some difficult moments with many tears, much prayer, consistent reading of Scripture and setting aside intentional time to be with her.
Please continue to pray for our family. We truly believe that God is doing a mighty work in our family, our Dorm, and our school, but that means our enemy is on high alert. Pray for protection; pray for peace; pray we would always remember:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love and sound judgment.”
- 2 Timothy 1:7
Page updated
Report abuse