Principal’s Message March 2015
Dear Parents,
There is an expression that I sincerely hope rings true: “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb”. As I sit at my desk on a Monday morning writing this message, the day has started with howling wind, flurries and a forecast calling for wind-chill temperatures in the -25C range. The good news is that this cold spell should be short lived. Something that I know will not be short lived, is the positive experiences and memories soon to be created for our Grade 9 students who will be going on their Missions Trip. All of the planning and preparation that has gone into this annual Grade 9 Missions Trip culminates with our grade nines following God’s call to serve others, in Belize from April 10-19.
Please join us on Thursday, March 26 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. in the MCS gym for Fiesta Night, which will include a taco dinner, presentations, entertainment and a silent auction, all in support of this Missions Trip. On Thursday, April 9 at 1:15 p.m. you are invited to the MCS gym to join the school community at the Missions Trip Commissioning Service where we will offer support, encouragement and prayers for those students, staff and volunteers serving in Belize.
It is difficult to describe the time and effort our MCS students and staff have put into preparation, and I know this Missions Trip experience will have a lasting legacy, both in Orange Walk, Belize and for all of our participants. The Missions Trip participants will provide manual labour at three different schools, enhancing playground facilities, school maintenance and building an addition to one school. Our students will share their testimonies by hosting an evangelistic movie night for the entire town, through leading worship in a church and being interviewed on local radio.
The grade nine students have shared the meaning and importance of this missions work in each of our MCS classes and some have also presented at their home churches. One of the priorities of Edmonton Public Schools and a core value of MCS is for our students to develop empathy as a key character trait. Meadowlark Christian’s 4 L’s: Learning through academics, Living in Christ, Leading by serving others and Loving with strength of character, will be reinforced through this Missions Trip – we are taking the learners of today and supporting their development into the leaders of tomorrow!
I want to acknowledge and thank the MCS Foundation, MCS staff, students and their families and those in our community who are supporting this Missions Trip. Acts teaches us about Paul’s mission travels and service to others and in chapter 20 Paul taught us that through hard work we must help those in need remembering the words of Jesus who said “It is more blessed to give than to receive”.
Darren Oskoboiny
Principal