Every year the high school has an end of year retreat-- the students and their teacher usually spend a weekend away from station, often at another mission's guest house. A guest speaker will share and the students spend time sharing in devotions and reflections. This year, however, since the students are participating in General Quiz 2012 at Olivet Nazarene University, the high school decided to do the "retreat" differently. The parents and Stephen organized a surprise "Amazing Meal"-- this is a cross between a progressive dinner and the TV show, "The Amazing Race" (which is a favorite of many of the students). The parents planned out which country each family would host for it's course in the meal and Stephen and I were in charge of coming up with clues to get the students from one house and one country to the next house and next country.
We started the event on Friday night with a quizzing party hosted at Dr. Erin Meier's house (Erin is helping coach the quiz team). We played Taboo and Pictionary with words, clues, and drawings only from Hebrews and 1 and 2 Peter. At the end of the evening we gave the students their first clue, which would lead them to our house for a PNG breakfast the next morning.
After leaving each house and/or completing each task, the group is given a new clue. Some of their challenges throughout Saturday included having to memorize and recite tongue twisters, work out mental puzzles, use what they had recently learned in history to solve a clue, buy food for an orphange, hand out goodies on the pediatric ward, and put to practice what they've been studying in Hebrews by starting conversations with guests and staff at the Highlander Hotel.
The students eating an Ethiopian meal at the Deuel's home.
Olivia, Gail, and Emma Dooley welcoming us to Japan!
Enjoying sushi at the Dooley's home.
Handing out toys, candy, toothbrushes and toothpaste on the pediatrics ward.
Solving a clue about American presidents at the Goossens' house.
Wrapping up the evening and the school year with an American dessert, gifts, and awards at the Schmelzenbach's home. Stephen has had a wonderful experience teaching the MKs over the last year and has already started preparing for September!
Aside from preparing for the next school year, this summer Stephen will be helping supervise our Hydro Project, joining our CBHC (community based health care) team for a few weeks to educate our rural communities, and helping to transport volunteers/visitors to and from the airport.
Please join us in praying for our high schoolers as they are currently in the States for Global Quiz 2012 at ONU! They will be competing in the district experienced division and the regional division. The tournament is the week of July 3rd. They have worked so hard and we are so proud of them!
From left to right top: Mr. Stephen, Josiah Radcliffe, Ethan Myers, Quinton Schmelzenbach; bottom: Allison Dooley, Lydia Radcliffe, and Jessica Myers.
