2012 Update from Instituto El Rey

January 15, 2013 by  
Filed under Livestream Links and Order for Worship

As you may know, members of Ivy Chapel proudly support Instituto El Rey, a school in Honduras, in a number of ways. We recently received this update from Earl and Sharon Washburn, the administrators of the school:
Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,
2012 has only been a small ripple in time, a miniscule drop in eternity!  And yet it has been extremely significant in the on-going plan of God to reclaim His creation from the hand of the enemy.  The Bible says in Mathew 6: 10,   “…..May His kingdom come, and His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”
Thus the powers of darkness shudder as the light comes crashing into La Cuenca del Congrejal, rending the darkness and sending it reeling, for the darkness cannot stand in the presence of the Light of God.  Light and darkness cannot co exist together. Always darkness has to flee when Light comes!
And so it is that the battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil are in mortal conflict in the spiritual realm over this area!  The forces of evil are being challenged and forced back, and Instituto El Rey is being used powerfully by God to reclaim His rightful place in the Cuenca del Congrejal  of Honduras, which itself is but a small, and rather unimportant nation among all the nations of the world.
As I sit here listening to Christmas carols, and I love Christmas carols! – I am reminded that Jesus, The Messiah, The Savior, was born in a manger in a place of humble surroundings – just as La Cuenca del Congrejal is a humble place.
Can it really be that anything of significance can be happening here?  Yes!
It is because of you – you who pray, you who give so faithfully, you who come to visit and to work.  Yes, it is because of YOU that IER can be God’s instrument to bring His light to shine and light the way so that young people can see the road to walk!  Thank you so much!
The last day of classes was 28 Oct – we began the year with 174 students  and finished with 170.
There are a number of reasons why IER has been so successful, and one of those reasons has to do with attendance.  This year over 70% of our students achieved perfect attendance!  Students like to be here in a good, safe environment.
Another reason is that fifty students, or 29%, achieved an A average for the 4thquarter.  For the entire year, about 1/3 or 33% achieved an A average.
There were many significant events during the year—let me just share one with you! In October there was a writing context that was open to participants from all the high schools in La Ceiba.  Isaac, who was in the 9th grade, represented IER!  At the time of the awards, Isaac was asked to stand in front with two others – I thought, “Is it possible that Isaac will get 1st place!”  And sure enough, he won the 1st place award!  We praise and thank God for what He is doing in the lives of our students.
We have 10 Honduran teachers that are paid a salary.  Ester, our Directora  or Principal, and Cesar, who teaches Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Science, have both been teaching at IER since the first day of classes on 19 Feb, 2001; Liliana teaches 9th grade math and is responsible for keeping the files on students and teachers, and putting together the multitude of reports that are required by the department of education;  Damaris teaches 7th and 8th grade math, accounting and business administration;  Nely teaches practical activities, art and music;  Milvia teaches Social Studies and Civics; Samuel teaches Spanish;  Daysi teaches 10th and 11th grade math and 9th grade science;  and Joseph and Dennis teach the computer classes.  All of our Honduran teachers have been teaching at IER for 5 years or more!  Cindy and Wendy and Sharon, all  volunteers, taught  English and other classes.  We are so grateful to God for all of our teachers!  They are all excellent!On December 30 we were leaving the parking lot of the church in La Ceiba when a member of the church made a great effort to stop us and make a commentary.  This man is a prominent businessman that we have known for  years, and he has visited Instituto El Rey.  Jorge commented how impressed he is with IER and with the work that God is doing up there in the valley. He said it is a school of excellence!

Let me end with this very, very significant and meaningful series of events.  On the 23rd of December, Sharon and I and Melvin, one of our 6th year medical students who was visiting, were having a party for Paula – one of our 8th grade students, and two of her brothers, Adan and Carlos.  Afterwards, as I was driving the car down to give them a ride back to their home, the car crashed into a huge rock!  I am not going to try to explain how that happened!!!  But here is the point of this story –as I was standing there looking at the damage, somewhat in shock, Paula came up and quietly touched me on my arm, then her brother, Carlos, did the same thing as if to say, “we are sorry, we feel for you.  It’s ok, God is here!”  They did not have say a word, a gentle touch of their hands spoke more than words.  From tragedy to triumph!  What an awesome Christmas present!

This year our costs to operate the high school were $146,077.92, and it is because of your faithfulness in giving that we were able to meet these obligations!  Thank you so much!

May God bless you abundantly during the New Year.
And now,  To gain for the Lamb the reward of His sacrifice.
Earl and Sharon Washburn
Administrators IER
www.ierschool.org

Update from Instituto El Rey

Every year, Ivy Chapel’s members support several students at Instituto El Rey, a Christian high school in Rio Viejo, Honduras that serves the rural poor.

The mission of Instituto El Rey is “to provide an oasis of hope and love in a region plagued by poverty, violence, abuse, superstition and ignorance.”  Every student comes from a situation where there would be little chance for high quality education.

Recent events, including political upheaval and an earthquake, have hit close to the school.

Following is an update from Sharon Washburn, the school’s administrator.

On May 28 we experienced a big earthquake off the coast of La Ceiba.  It was 7.3 on the Richter scale.  For weeks after that we felt many aftershocks.  One evening, June 15, the boys and I were startled by a 5.1 around 10:30 pm for the next 90 minutes we felt 5 more shocks between 5.1 and 5.3.  I learned how to report our experiences to the US geology survey website.  Together we learned more about earthquakes.  Then we took our fledgling knowledge, including maps, down the steps to the school and taught our students and teachers. Did you know that on June 10 there were around 200 earthquakes in the world in only one hour?  That is amazing. We are appreciating our world.

Then in June Honduras experienced a political earthquake.  We continue to wait and pray for the outcome of that earthquake.  This we know –God is in control.  We, here on the North coast, are doing fine and are very safe. We are not much affected by the marches in Tegucigalpa.  Instituto El Rey is still teaching our students.  The teachers still come to school.  We will have our 3rd quarter exams in two weeks.  Our younger students had our first social studies fair June 10 and all participated in our Cultural Afternoon July 20.  Our little band has started practicing for the Independence Day parade on Sept. 15.  Things are moving along.

Groups have been coming to minister and work at the orphanage up the road and at the clinic across the street from us.  We often are the receipients of the talents that they bring which enrich the school.

Oh, by the way, Ester, our principal, was at a meeting which featured as the major topic the local national university.  The meeting was opened by the president of CURLA, the university.  He said there is a high school in the Cuenca del Cangrejal which is producing excellent students.  That when students come from this school they know how to be, study and do well in their classes.  He asked if there was a representative from Instituto El Rey present.  Ester raised her hand to receive his congratulations.  Praise the Lord!   So we are not only alive and well, but we are victorious and thriving.  For that we are grateful for our students, parents and teachers.

We, also, are thankful for your partnership in educating these precious jewels.  You are making a difference in the lives of our students and teachers.  Thank you.

About the school

The school was established in 2001, and now serves 170 students in grades 7 through 12. It celebrated its first graduated class in 2006, and to date 61 students have graduated from Instituto El Rey. 60% of graduates are seeking college degrees or professional training. Among the most recent graduates are four students seeking medical degrees, three studying nursing, two pursuing systems engineering, one studying business administration, and one aiming to become a lawyer.

Students at IER come from 15 villages in the mountains south of La Ceiba. Many overcome tremendous obstacles to get their education – some just to get to school every day. Scholarships, family sacrifices and support from friends enable all their schooling. Each student’s family is required to pay a token amount (less than $5 month); the total cost per student is actually around $70 per month.  Students who cannot afford the small monthly tuition can work at the school on weekends to earn that amount.  A high percentage of students are supported through a sponsorship program administered by a separate foundation.

The faculty includes salaried Honduran teachers, plus American volunteers Earl & Sharon Washburn, who serve as both administrators and teachers. Earl’s brother, Russ, is a member of Ivy Chapel and over the past 7 years dozens of church members, including youth, have gone on mission trips to IER to help with construction and other projects at the school.

Subjects taught at the school include Spanish, English, math (incl. statistics & physics), science (including chemistry & biology), several computer classes including programming & design, social studies, accounting, art, music, P.E. and some practical skills such as carpentry, sewing and gardening (which will help them earn a living if they opt out of further education).

Click here to learn more about Instituto El Rey.

Supporting Joint Neighborhood Ministries & Circle of Concern food pantries

The current economic downturn has meant that many that families who were previously able to keep up with their bills and feed their families are now finding the only way they can manage is to come to food pantries for help. Ivy is proud to support food pantries in our area, including Join Neighborhood Ministries in the City of St. Louis, and Circle of Concern in West County. We are collecting basic food items, along with monetary donations to help families in crisis with utility payments. In addition, a portion of the proceeds from our Oct. 24 HarvestFest will go to benefit these two organizations.

If you want to help, contact our church office for information at (314) 434-4991 or via e-mail.

Building support for Habitat for Humanity

April 26, 2009 by  
Filed under What's happening

It’s time again for Ivy Chapel’s annual Habitat for Humanity drive. We’re building a lego house in the Narthex. With each $10 block, you’ll help build our house — and you’ll add your support to this very worthy cause which helps build real houses for families in our area. Our goal is $750. Help us build a house in our church… so we can help Habitat build houses throughout our community!

Click here to contact our church office to learn more about helping Habitat for Humanity, or call 314-434-4991.