School Exchanges

Psalms 127:3-5 Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

Yes, it is hard to believe that both Dustin and Nathan have been given the opportunity to participate in amazing school exchanges. It all started a few months ago when the boys came home talking about a friend in their year going to Australia on a school exchange. The school had mentioned an opportunity for students to exchange with a Round Square school in Peru. Both Dustin and Nathan expressed interest because of the opportunity but also to work on their Spanish skills. Mark and I both agreed that Peru was just too far but would consider other locations if they wanted to pursue it with the Exchange coordinator. Both of the boys approached Mr. Miller and expressed interest in a possible school exchange.

We filled out the extensive paper work, the boys had to both write an essay about why they desired an exchange, get teacher references, and give a history of their school experiences thus far. One question asked about religious beliefs and practices. It was interesting to read the boys applications. Dustin explained that he felt an exchange would be beneficial for him to be independent of his brother and his parents. I thought it was interesting that he listed his brother first, I don't think I realized until now how much they depend on each other. Nathan depends on Dustin to challenge him academically and keep him informed about specific school classes. Dustin depends on Nathan to keep him socially plugged-in.

Mark and I have really prayed about this entire process trusting God to open and close doors and really show His will to us regarding these exchanges. Almost immediately Nathan received an invitation to Armidale College in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. Both Dustin and Nathan received invitations to Mowbry College outside of Melbourne, Australia and a small school in Alice Springs, Australia. They also were offered a school in India which we declined. It was a step of faith just knowing that Dustin had a 2 hour layover in Mombai, India!

Nathan was really excited about Armidale as they have a very active shooting program. He has missed shooting very much here as it is illegal in Thailand. We were excited that it is an Anglican campus with weekly church services and also has a very reputable music program. We accepted and began all the planning. Nathan had a really funny reaction when he realised he would be living at an all-BOYS school for six weeks. Armidale offered Nathan free room and board and we only had to pay for his airfare and a petty cash fund-which is quickly being eaten into with ammunition!! He also would be able to participate in all the Anzac celebrations (one of Australia's most celebrated holidays) and take a week long trip to the capitol-Canberra with his year 10 class. (But he's only a freshman, that is a weird British thing!)

We ruled out Alice Springs pretty quickly-it's in an extremely isolated part of Australia, small and didn't have an impressive music program. Dustin was excited about the potential of going to Mowbry-it has an outstanding music program and he has a good friend here in Thailand that moved from Mowbry. Mowbry is not a boarding school so he would have to live with a family. We were really praying for a Christian family but no volunteer was coming forward. In fact, Tyler (Dustin's friend)had approached some of his friends, one of my dearest friends, Shivani from that area was looking for a host family and we had a young lady from Melbourne visiting our church for about 3 months that was here obtaining her scuba guide certification and she had become a friend. Carly's Dad is a youth minister in Melbourne and he was looking for a family. Nothing came up-nothing. God just closed that door. We were a little disappointed because we really wanted Dustin to have this opportunity to help him learn some independence but were trusting the Lord.

In the meantime out of nowhere a school in Johannesburg, South Africa sent an invite to Dustin. A Christian school with a great music department. The very next day a family offered to host Dustin. We continued to pray and just hoped that this generous family would be Christians. Within 48 hours we had been in email contact with this family of 5. The father is in the worship team at their church and the mother has been over all the prayer ministry of the large school!! They have an 18 yr. old daughter, 15 year old son, and a 13 year old daughter. They have been praying that God would send them an exchange student as their son will be going to Armidale(remember that is where Nathan is!!)in June!! Is that an amazing coincidence, such a God thing!! The family has been so generous and is hosting Dustin for free. They already have World Cup tickets for Dustin and will be travelling to Durban, South Africa (on the East Coast of SA) with the family for a family celebration later this month.

We're thankful for a family for Dustin, it is a stretch for him to venture out to a new school without his brother. Nathan, our social son, seems to be happy in a room with 10 other guys and was a great encouragement to Dustin when they have corresponded and Nathan stated, "Exchange is great!"

It's hard for some of our friends to believe that we have sent both of our oldest sons away to other continents. One friend asked, "How do you go from homeschooling to school exchanges in other countries?" So here is some of the explanation I sent him.

"We never homeschooled to isolate our boys from society but because we truly believe that homeschooling can provide a better educational foundation and time for them to get a strong spiritual foundation as well. I think it gives one a strong sense of family. As far as socially, I think they are more social-meaning they can converse with all ages and I don't agree with just peer socialization anyway. Plus, I have little faith in the typical school system in America-isn't that sad? When our guys were ready for kindergarten in Louisiana it was an easy decision-we were so far in the country and had few acceptable school options. The private school was a form of paid segregation from what we could tell and the academics weren't that great. We felt that God made it clear that we should homeschool at that point and we poured ourselves into finding the best available curriculum, following the governmental testing requirements, and searching for outside things to enhance their basic education. God continued to lead us to homeschool, providing amazing resources and opportunities along the way until we moved to Thailand. We had thought that we would put them in some sort of school setting for sure when they entered High School-a testing of their wings of sorts before they were out of our homes and in college. When we moved to Thailand we realized there would be no resources, no support groups for homeschooling...and felt like this would be a good time to put them in a typical school setting (If an International School can be considered 'typical'?)

I am so grateful for the time we had homeschooling mostly because of the fact that I was with Abbie every day of her life, what a gift that is to us. Our boys have done very well in both the American and British International Schools, I think they got a very good educational foundation, they have a love of reading that most of their classmates do not. They have a respect and appreciation of their teachers that few of their classmates have. Because of speaking conferences/workshops we attended, Dustin and Nathan are especially good at public speaking. We were able to give them tutoring in a second language much earlier than most schools and placed much emphasis on musical training. I also feel that homeschooling allowed us more concentrated time on their spiritual training and their character training.

Now that we have felt God has closed the homeschooling door for us at the moment we want each of our boys to be leaders in their school taking advantage of any opportunities that arise. They attend a Round Square, IB International School. There are only a handful of Round Square schools in the world, you can google them but they place a strong emphasis on serving others. At the Regent's school we have had several exchange students from all over the world. Being a British system, year 10, which Dustin and Nathan are completing is a relatively easier year, year 11 they have to take the major British exams that determine if they will be accepted into the IB program.

We didn't ask for a Christian school for either, even though we did state that we were committed, evangelical, Christians. At times here in Pattaya, I've questioned God bringing us here where the boys are faced with so much language and other sinful things. We want our boys to be in the world but not of the world. How wonderful that they both will be attending Christian schools for 6 weeks and experiencing other cultures. It is quite difficult for white, males getting into some colleges, which I realize they will be accepted where ever God wills for them but also feel like this exchange experience will be another thing that will make their college application 'stand-out'.

It makes Grandmamma nervous to send them so far away and I know others question letting them go so far. Can you believe they will both be 16 this summer? No one knows more than we do that no matter how hard one tries to protect and shelter their children it is all futile. We can't take the credit for their welfare in the past and it is God who is protecting and watching over them in their exchanges. They both have a strong foundation built on God's Word. We're a doing a 'test' shot, if you will, to see if our first two arrows are ready to fly straight and hit the target for the Lord! Please be praying for our two guys!!

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