A beacon of light shining toward 2021

The year 2020 will remain deeply etched in our collective consciousness. For the students and staff of Palo Blanco School, it marked a time when we experienced God being with us through His provision and protection. Though the year was replete with unexpected changes and surprises we were still continually able to care holistically for more than 280 children and youth.

Some highlights included the amazing ways in which our staff adapted to function as “relief workers” supporting our children’s families who lost their income during the pandemic.

Despite the suspension of Service Team visits, we added a classroom to expand to grade level 11 and converted schooling and spiritual nurture to an online program for our children and youth. In the fall, we were able to start 28 small groups on house porches in the barrios reaching over 100 of our teenagers with weekly, one-hour devotions and discussions.

Finally, in December and early January, we were able to celebrate Christmas by providing a special Christmas Eve meal, a family devotion, and gifts for children on Three Kings Day.

In the future, we plan to add 12^th grade and restart our sports and vocational programs put on hold since the pandemic started. We also plan to renovate our computer lab prior to youth returning to campus for classes.

Our team in Palo Blanco has done heroic work this past year continuing with holistic care in the midst of the pandemic and glorifying God in this time of crisis. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Que Dios les bendiga mucho (May God bless you abundantly).

Click on photo for caption.

Third-grade teacher Augustina prepares to distribute presents to the families of her students on Three Kings Day in early January.

Amazingly, our high school teachers were able to adapt to teaching in realtime via the internet, thanks to a provision of laptops to our teachers, and the ability of students to connect to the internet via cell phones in the barrios.

A mom and her kids with the groceries provided by the school to help them through this difficult time.

Two Palo Blanco School youth are pleased with the school provisions of food and cooking gas, which are precious due to widespread unemployment caused by the pandemic.

School Directors Miriam and Jan test the new handwashing station, one of the many additions made to protect everyone on the campus.

In October we formed 28 small groups to spiritually minister to over 100 of the older students. About five students meet with a staff member for an hour each week on the porch of a barrio home for a time of devotion and discussion of God’s word.

Teacher Elena, an Ark Jarabacoa and university graduate, along with teacher Eric, wait at the school for parents to begin arriving to receive Kings Day presents for their children. We are grateful for the opportunity to spread joy during this difficult time.

A group of young mothers arrive at school to collect their children's Kings Day presents.