PFO, Week Two

Horseshoe Falls, Niagara, NY

After an amazing trip to Niagara Falls on Sunday, we hit the ground running on Monday morning with "Life Skills Simulation".  I had dreaded role play, but the session turned into an opportunity to recognize strengths and weaknesses and God's faithfulness.  We were divided into autonomous groups of twenty adults.

 Once situated in a classroom, the twenty adults were assigned roles; everything from assistant principal to sixth grade student.  At that point a "Code Red" was declared, and we were thrust into an event which needed to be handled well in order for success.  Assistant principal was my role, and, through default, I became the leader of the group.  While I do assume leadership roles in many instances, I dislike being the one making decisions in a crisis.  The blessing for me came in the form of a team of teachers and students who opted to work together well.  Several members who had been students in real-life code reds provided strategies for positive group dynamics.  I found strength in the crisis, drawing from trust in the Lord and trust in my team.

Smitty, playing a volunteer parent in another group, struggled with lack of personal experience with a code red.  The technical support staff were not involved in the emergency drills in our former district.  Protocols that teachers used regularly he had missed.  Smitty understood the importance of being part of the emergency preparedness process at BFA.  The experience encouraged both of us.

Participants of PFO 2011

The week continued with intense sessions on child welfare, purity, dorm issues, and specific teaching strategies.  We learned so much in such a short period of time.

PFO children performing

Wednesday evening many of the attendees participated in a talent show, and we all laughed away much of our stress from the two weeks.  Thursday evening we celebrated finishing well with a marvelous banquet and skits from the children's program.  Friday morning, after many shared hearts and bittersweet tears, we celebrated communion together.

We are part of the group going to
schools in Europe.

We understand now why God has kept us here for this season.  We needed the time at PFO.  Wisdom gained at Houghton the past two weeks is key to our transition to BFA.  God has not tarried without purpose.  We are ready now to leave on Saturday for Germany.  Our hearts are very torn, but we have, by God's grace, been well prepared to "mind the gap" for Third Culture Kids and their parents.