Looking Ahead and Looking Up!
From the front door of Good Soil Academy we have an unspoiled view of Bunda mountain. At 2,874 feet above sea level, it is not an impressive peak, but what the mountain lacks in stature it makes up for in steepness. Almost all of its 2,874 feet are gained by climbing a very steep and unrelenting slope. How do I know? Nicole Pease, Chris Neba and I climbed it! For Chris and Nicole it was a hike; for me, it was a climb!
From a distance, one would not know that it is a mountain dedicated to prayer and worship, but as you ascend and draw nearer to the summit, you begin to encounter small groups of people praying, singing, and even preaching. In fact, Bunda mountain is famous throughout Malawi as a mountain where people go to fast, pray and worship God. I took this picture as we reached the summit. As you can see, the entire group is bowed in prayer. This scene was replicated by hundreds all around the summit of the mountain.
There was something heartwarming and moving about seeing so many people willing to climb a mountain to get closer to God. I was reminded anew of the importance of prayer and the role that prayer plays in our faith.
I was also reminded of the role that prayer has played in the creation of Good Soil Academy (“GSA”). GSA was born out of a time of crisis for GSP, and God answered our prayers for direction in giving birth to GSA. He has also been there for us throughout an entire year of firsts. Our first students, our first teachers, our first administrators, our first crops, our first scholarship students, and now the completion of our first year! Just first, after first, after first.
Now we are in the midst of planning for next year. We’re so grateful to all of you who have been part of praying for GSA. We are also reminded of the need to first “look up” in prayer, to spend time on the mountain with God in both gratitude and petition before we look ahead. Please commit to pray with us that God would continue to nurture, grow and protect Good Soil Academy and its students.
For His Kingdom,
Dean
P.S. I want to make you aware of an emerging need. All of our sponsors for our first year students have renewed their commitment for next year (form two), and we are so grateful for each of you who have reaffirmed your commitment to these students. However, we have had eight gifted students apply for the freshmen year for whom we have no sponsorship. If you are willing to do such, your commitment of $3400.00 to sponsor one of these girls at GSA would transform their lives. For more giving information, see: https://www.goodsoilpartners.org/donate