a new year

It's a new year and it feels good to say that a lot of things are feeling fresh. I had a wonderful trip back to the States and Canada this December connecting with people that I love and who have contributed to my life and been a great blessing to me. There are, of course, many others who I wish I could have connected with or been able to spend even more with. I have also had a great, yet challenging, last four months (since the last update) in terms of work and personal life. As usual, for the purposes of this blog, I've had to wade through all of the many exciting and challenging things to try and make it short enough as not to lead my readers into a gentle slumber (although some would probably appreciate that, too).  Read on to learn about the launching of the second phase of the Raspberry Pi Pilot Project, a brief update on Mauro and Breyling, and a quick, shotgun blast look at what is on the horizon for the next several months for me.

Picture Taken Recently at the mouth of Volcán Masaya

Phase Two Launched

A little over a year ago we launched what has become known as Phase 1 of the Pi Pilot (read the exciting story about it on here on Edudeo's site).  The Raspberry Pi (raspberrypi.org) is a credit card sized computer that was buy a starter kit and plug this little wonder into your existing monitor, TV, or projector.  Compare that to a normal desktop computer of around $250-300.

originally designed for teaching children how to program on a very inexpensive, yet highly flexible and fully functional computer.  For a cool $70 you can

This January marked the beginning of Phase 2.  Through Edudeo Ministries and a grant they secured through the Charis Foundation, we received funding for the purchase of 65 Raspberry Pis as well as 5 basic robotics kits based on the Raspberry Pi called the GoPiGo.  They also co-funded, along with Dordt College, a four-day training for the computer teachers of RedProCom (the Network of Christian Computer Teachers).  The trainings were lead by Dr. Derek Schuurman of Redeemer University, six Dordt College students.  Dr. Schuurman lead a series of devotionals that helped teachers work out the relationship between technology

and education and also invited us to reflect on what a distinctively Christian education should look like.  The Dordt students lead a series of hans-on, practical lessons sharply focused on using the Raspberry Pi in k-12 education.  Topics were highly engaging and ranged from assembling the GoPiGo robot, to programming it with Scratch, to graphics editing, to the basics of teaching the simple programming language known as Python.  Our very own computer teacher from NCA Matagalpa also contributed a pair of excellent sessions including one

entitled "Creating Creative Spaces in the Classrooms."

Of the 65 Pis, 60 of them will go to 4 schools with two schools receiving up to 20, and two more schools receiving up to 10.  The remaining five will be used during monthly trainings.  Our hope is that the cost of these computers is much more within reach for Nicaraguan Schools.  If they can see themselves as capable of providing their own computers, they will likely play a greater role in intentionally shaping the experience their students have with technology.  And as RedProCom continues to invest in teachers, hopefully their vision as a school grows for how to shape that experience.

Mentorships - Mauro and Breyling

These two guys keep growing and progressing.  Mauro is now entering his last year of high school (according to the Nicaraguan school calendar, which begins in February).  He's been studying at Loyola Institute.  Last year he was involved

with the Drama Team and performed in a number of plays, which he loved and were fun to go watch.  He ran into a couple of significant challenges during the course of the year, but thanks to a good support system that loves him and sheer determination on his part, we were able to get through and turn the picture around.  He is in the early stages of trying to arrange an international student exchange with a school in Louisville, Kentucky, which would begin when he finishes his final semester in December of this year.  He is very excited about this opportunity to learn more English and spend some time in the US.

Breyling and I had a challenging year last year (2015).  He lived with me again as I looked after his education.  During the second semester, he missed nearly 25 days of school--I actually lost count.  Some were excused, many were not.  I was

First day of 8th Grade... last day of 8th Grade.

unsure as to whether we would make it through his 8th grade school year and even if we'd be trying again this year.  As it turns out, he pulled it together and finished the year.  He also agreed to meet my new list of heightened requirements for starting a new year. :)  I went ahead and got him registered for 9th grade again at NCA Nejapa, where he studied last year, but within two days, we received some good news that would change that trajectory.  A spot had opened up at NCA International and he was the next person on the waiting list.  For Breyling, this means that he will be able to now attend a school where English is the primary language and where the teachers are primarily from the US.  It's also on the US school calendar year and has the reputation of being very good, even by US standards.  Last Thursday he started this new journey as he joined the 9th grade class, and will be facing his biggest academic challenge ever.  I think, however, that he will be able to rise to the challenge.  If his first two days were any indication, it looks like he will have no shortage of friends, and will have no problem fitting in.  Even the English seemed to be no problem.

For me, this change means a new financial burden.  If you would like to know how you can help me carry this burden, or allow other kids to have a chance to have a better education at NCA, please contact me and we can talk.

In other news, the Nicaraguan government has quietly reinstated the obligatory military service requirements, which will certainly affect both of these guys.

On the Horizon

This semester is shaping up to be fast and furious.  In the world of RedProcom, it began with looking after a team for 11 days and organizing a 4-day training for the computer teachers of RedProCom (mentioned in the first section above).  After a brief rest, I was swept up into the rush of renewing my resident visa as well as attending to the urgen needs of a growing school.  NCA Nejapa is in the middle of major construction and teacher training was about to begin, meaning leading and co-leading some workshops.  Then the news came about Breyling's opportunity which meant dedicating time to transfer him to a new school.  In the middle of that process, I agreed to watch after some of my friends' kids for a
week as they were out of town on work business.  Finally, today, I think I'm starting to hit a routine again, but it's going to keep me on my toes.

The end of February will bring Breyling's 4th birthday.  He'll turn 16 (figure that out!).  If you have any fun birthday ideas, I'd love to hear them.  March will bring the annual CRC Latin American retreat, as well as a trip to the US.  In April, I'll be hosting another team from Sioux Falls, as I have done for each of the past three years.  And then starting in the beginning of June, I'll be heading to Zambia for several weeks to co-lead a training that will be modeled after what we have been doing here with RedProCom and the Raspberry Pi.  The same pilot project through Edudeo will be funding that trip and training.  I am hoping to line up

some other visits in Africa while I am on that side of the world.  I want to take advantage of the 50 hour travel time and all the expenses involved in getting to the other side of the world to do more than just a short 4 day training.  More on this trip to come.

RedProCom is also on the edge of a turning point.  I've resumed my push for the constitution to be finished and activated.  This would bring more structure to the leadership, helping them know their roles and how to make the group function well.  By adding structure and defining it's identity, it would also open doors of opportunity to have a broader impact outside of the community of Christian schools.  Very exciting, yet a lot of things still have to progress well for that to happen.

Prayer Items

- Mauro and Breyling as they enter into another year of school.  Mauro is finishing high school this year while Breyling has 3.5 years left.  Pray for Mauro's opportunities after graduation, and Breyling's experience at a new school.
- Pray for wisdom and stability amid a hectic semester for myself.
- Pray for visionary and capable leadership in RedProCom as they turn the corner and become more structured.