Stonecypher Page

 

Stonecyphers 2010

Feb 24, 2010

Greetings From Jos,

 

 

     In months like this January in Jos we learn not to take such a blessing for granted. There have been riots, killing, burning, and as you can imagine, lots of nervous people. Please know that our family was never in danger of any kind. Still our hearts are broken over the sadness and loss so many in the Jos community are suffering. You will hear many stories about the cause for such a crisis. Often those “authoritative” stories are written by those who have been in Jos for days or weeks, or in some cases, never. Essentially the repeated crises here come down to a battle over who controls this beautiful part of God’s creation. Ultimately it is a sad testimony to the devastation that always follows mankind’s sinful ways.

     That is why missionary work at a school like Hillcrest can bring hope into such a disappointing situation. First, we believe that Hillcrest is here to reveal God’s glory in a particular way. That is—as a representation of God’s people, diverse yet one, representing eight different Christian traditions coming together to do excellent Christian education. Together we have the opportunity to show the world our great God who unites His people for the good of others. Second, we see at Hillcrest everyday a gathering of the nations, with as many as twenty different countries being represented within our student and staff population. Third, we see called, well-trained and dedicated professionals pouring out their lives in service to our students—impacting their students’ lives in the name of Christ, moment-by-moment and day-after-day. It is a joy to watch as God uses such interaction to draw young lives to Himself forever. Fourth, united as a body of Christians, we can take healing and reconciling action throughout the  hurting Jos community.

 

     Every time a crisis comes to Jos, many people ask—and perhaps you have wondered—why do missionaries keep their families in such a place? But perhaps a better question would be—why are there so few of God’s people present where the hurting is the deepest? Maybe the question is not your, “Why are you there?” but rather our, “Why aren’t you here?” Of course, the one question we must all ask is, “Where does God want me to serve Him?” Answer that question and you will know whether you should be here or there.

 

     Right now as we begin to look toward the next school year at Jos, we have some serious staff needs. You might be God’s person or you might know of someone who could be God’s person to fill these needs. We need  an elementary principal, a second grade teacher, middle school and high school English teachers, a computer tech person and an industrial arts teacher. We also need a music teacher for the first semester. Hillcrest has a direct hire program for teachers or can put you in touch with one of our cooperating bodies about filling one of these positions. Please spread the word and have anyone interested in such an opportunity to get in touch with me at mstonecypher52@gmail.com or at hillcrestschool@yahoo.com.

 

     Now for family news: Rachel is well into the second semester of her sophomore year at Montevallo, and is enjoying herself more than ever. She’s busy with her work study job as a teacher assistant in Alabaster, Baptist Campus Ministries activities and ministries, some particularly challenging classes, and of course, family and friends.

 

     John David is counting down the days to graduation as he continues to put in long hours in AP Biology, AP Psychology, AP English and AP Art,  and other senior classes, along with track and discipleship.

 

     Becky is busy with educational therapy, testing students and consulting with teachers. Mike is meeting with all kinds of groups and individuals, seeking God’s direction and figuring out the appropriate and godly Hillcrest response to the multitude of challenges that come along with the crisis situation.

 

     We ask for your prayers on behalf of Hillcrest School as we seek to show to the world the hope we find in our great God.

     We ask for your prayers for every Hillcrest family as they seek to redemptively deal with the crisis environment.

     We ask for your prayers for us as a family in transition—looking toward John David’s graduation and his move to the U.S. to begin his college career.

     We are always keenly aware of your prayers—most especially when we walk through days of crisis and turmoil.

 

     We thank you for those prayers and for your generous Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Offering support that places us right here where God calls us to be as His agents of encouragement and reconciliation.

 

Godspeed,

Mike and Becky

Rachel and John David

October 20, 2009

Greetings to everyone!

 

          If you have never been to the Hillcrest School International Food Fair, you should make your plans to do so. Can you just imagine eighteen different nationalities setting up colorfully, flag-decked booths, featuring the delicious best foods their country has to offer? Imagine the families manning those booths all dressed up in typical national dress; add in the Hillcrest band playing varieties of music from the various countries; the hum of the excited international crowd sharing laugher and conversation freely as they wander from booth to booth, sampling the various foods. This is true fellowship at its best. You just have to experience it to understand. Perhaps it is at least a pale shadow of what our fellowship in heaven will be.

 

          Now, that’s getting to the point of Hillcrest’s very essence. Hillcrest School intentionally sets out to bring together families from all over the world in a purposefully Christ-centered educational environment just to discover what God will do. And let me tell you, it is an amazing experience to administrate, teach, disciple, do therapy, lead drama; all of it amidst the shared purpose of God-called and inspired Christian educators from across the world. Becky and I are both so grateful to be here.

          For instance, today I will have the privilege of going with our fourth graders and their Canadian teacher to visit our Plateau State Governor, the Honorable Jonah David Jang, who is a faithful evangelical Christian. In fact, his determination to do the right thing has ruffled a few feathers, so to speak. Pray for him and other Governors, the President and members of the National Assembly here in Nigeria.

 

          And there are the students from eighteen different countries this year. Now, these are children and teen-agers like any other children and teen-agers. They will delight you and frustrate you, sometimes within the space of a couple of minutes. The key is: their hearts and minds are open to God’s calling, their seeking and responding, their growing, their going, their serving—and in the end, His Kingdom growing because their lives have been changed through the constant encouragement they receive from God’s servants living out testimonies to His faithfulness day-to-day and moment-to-moment.

 

          Well, I’m sure you’re wondering what’s up with the Stonecypher family? Let’s start with Rachel. She’s into her sophomore year at Montevallo. Thanks for your prayers as she worked through all of the adjustments of her first year in college, her first year in the U.S. on her own; etc. She’s intending to change her major to elementary education—she surprised herself by loving her part-time job as a teacher’s assistant in a nearby school, that she’s looking to become a teacher. Rachel is especially grateful for some great Christian friends who are making her feel truly at home in Alabama.

 

          John David is hard at work, tackling four AP classes and the usual senior opportunities, such as competing on the soccer team as a defender, managing the basketball team, assisting with sets and lighting for the senior play. He is still looking toward a major in criminal justice and a career in law enforcement. John David, his class and their sponsors are working hard to arrange a class trip to Turkey, where their Bible teacher would lead them on a tour of ancient churches written about in the New Testament.

          Becky has been carrying a more than full load of therapy students at Hillcrest, as well as providing advisory special education services to teachers, particularly in the elementary and middle schools. She has also been working with Linda Taylor to lead the eighth grade girls in discipleship classes. In addition to that she has been completing requirements for her professional registration with the National Institute of Learning Difficulties.

 

          Mike has been superintending at Hillcrest (praying, guiding, advising, pushing, discussing, empathizing, detailing, correcting, moderating—leading as God leads). He has also been directing the senior play and teaching along with one of our parents, Architect Gomwolk, the tenth grade boys in discipleship.

 

          We are counting on your prayers as each of the Stonecyphers continues to seek God’s direction with hearts of trust and obedience in the midst of their busy lives.

          We also ask for your prayers for Matt Kilgore, our new chaplain at Hillcrest. Fresh from a Baptist Church in Pisgah, Alabama; his heart is on fire for God with a particular passion for prayer. The Lord is using him in a powerful way at Hillcrest.

 

          Thank you for your prayers. They are our lifeline. Thank for your support through the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas offering. They are our daily provision for living and ministering where we are. You are such a blessing to us.

 

Godspeed,

Mike and Becky, Rachel and John David

 

***IMPORTANT NOTICE*** We are changing our e-mail address from mstonecypher@gowestafrica.org to mstonecypher52@gmail.com. Thank you for sending future e-mails to the gmail account.