What's New: Ice Bucket Challenges and More

Serena (senior) is being showered here by a more than
pleased Jaques (junior), quick to do the honors of dousing her.

Lustre may be in the middle of no man's land, but we're still influenced by mainstream culture . . . even here . . . largely due to social media. This is a minefield to navigate through carefully. There are a few benefits though. Yesterday was a good example of how a social media movement could bring us together for some fun as many of us participated in the famous ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. It sure helped that the sun was shining again, the sky blue, and the air in the tepid seventies.

There was laughing and anticipation as ice buckets got filled for Serena, Dimon, Katie, Joyce, Chen, Maya, Mikayla, and even a surprise dousing was given back to Jaques as sweet justification.

Jaques looking way too excited
to make someone wet.

We are making memories, landmarks to remember the joys, the relationships.

It is amazing to think that two and a half weeks are almost finished. It feels like we've always known each other, that we've been family for a long time. Not that we have fully arrived in being the best brothers and sisters to each other that we can be. I think we're on the right track though.

Here are some of the highlights from the past week. On Friday night, Ibrahim popped in one of his favorite movies, "Cool Runnings." Our first family movie night with popcorn and lemonade.

On Saturday, five of the gals (Aleyna, Dimon, Joyce, Maya, Serena) had a volleyball workout from 10am - 3pm. They worked hard. They're strong ladies.

Ibrahim smiles as he drenches Maya
(senior) and McKaylah (junior . . . a
girl from the community that we are
always happy to claim our own).

  After dinner, we finally decided to     do a town run and all piled into the fourteen passenger school van. I felt like the proud parent of ELEVEN young adults. I couldn't be more proud of our crew or of being a part of them. They laugh like wild, and they care for each other too in their way. They are a loyal bunch.

On Sunday, we again piled into the van to head towards the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church, less than five miles away. They so graciously welcomed us with a potluck served after the service. It was so generous and kind of them! 

We got home in the afternoon and within a few hours, the Dorm Committee came, bringing food and Handbooks to go over with us. The guys and girls separated as we worked through the rules. 

At seven pm, the school kicked off to a good start with our annual Opening Program. Ibrahim and Danae shared a brief testimony in front of those who attended, and each student was called up to get a prayer card that they were asked to give away to someone in the audience, someone who would commit to praying for them throughout the year.

Prayer matters. {Those two words can sound so cliche, but maybe you can stop a minute, read it slow. It helps keep the cliche-ness of it from melting those three words right out of you as it does for me when we slow down to really consider.} I am so grateful for the way the people of Lustre commit to prayer.

If you are one of those who has committed to pray, our sincerest of thanks. It makes a drastic difference, so much more than you know. 

As for what's ahead, here's a small list that will finish out our month of August.

Thursday: R&R Day 

Students will go to nearby camp through the school to spend time playing, reflecting, and preparing for this year.

Saturday: Lady Lions' First Volleyball Tournament in Culbertson. 

Sunday: Trip to the Lake (With Dorm Committee Members)

Thank you again humbly for following along! Your prayers are appreciated.

New Beginnings

School is officially in session as of yesterday. The kids came home with backpacks loaded and minds full of new information. Listening to their schedules, I can tell that they have a challenging year ahead. I know that each of them has the potential to excel, and I am eager to watch. I am excited for all that they will learn and all they will have to teach me (danae) along the way.

As of Monday evening, all of the ladies living in the Lustre Dorms are accounted for! Maya and Serena just had their last first day of high school. They're walking the senior road, soon to graduate in 9 very quick months. It's possible they're just a tad excited about that . . . *smile*

Katie and Joyce just began their junior year. They're two upperclassmen with a big load to tackle, but I have confidence in them!

Aleyna is new to the dorms, and it's awesome to have her as part of the family! She is entering this year as a sophomore.

Diamond is also new to the dorms but very familiar and dear to this community. She's a freshman, ready and eager to meet all that's ahead of her.

The Lustre guys are still trickling in, but we've been excited to meet Alek, a freshman this year with a  readiness to learn and experience the school and dorm for all it's worth.

Jaques and Silas are back as juniors. They're hitting the ground running.

Chen is wrapping up his last year at Lustre as a senior, and once Mawin arrives tomorrow, he'll be in the same boat.

We're looking forward to inviting Nevin to the dorms as well! He will be a new member to add to our dorm family.

As for other news, an anonymous donor recently decked out the dorm with beautiful new furniture. We've sure been enjoying it. It is definitely feeling like home.

I look at this year expectant at all the learning and growing we'll do together. One of our dorm committee members recently picked out a sign for the girls that says: "In this house we do second chances. We do grace. We do real. We do mistakes. We do I'm sorrys. We do hugs. We do family. We do love." It's hanging in my kitchen as a reminder. We do family here. The family is still learning what it means to bond and come together, but something great is in the works.

Thanks for following along on our journey!

THE MALE RA

My name is Ibrahim Danladi and I will be the Male RA at Lustre Christian High school for the 2014-2015 school year. Americans have a hard time pronouncing my first name, so to help you say it right, enunciate it this way -  'Ebraheem'. Don't get me started on my last name...

I have a degree in International Affairs from the University of Northern Colorado and a minor in Political Science. I am from Nigeria and you might have figured that out from my name. I first came to the U.S in 2007 as a Foreign Exchange Student and after that wonderful experience, God provided a way for me to come back and attend college. My favorite thing about the U.S is my host family in Washington and Colorado, and the freedom to worship God. What I dislike about the U.S is blue cheese

The top three things I value the most in my life are: God, family, and football which you Americans call soccer. It doesn't really make sense but I guess I will have to ride along like I have being doing for the past five years. There is nothing more important in life than my relationship with God. "In Christ Alone my hope is found". I find my purpose, fullness, joy and worth in pursuing God because He pursued and loved me first.

I am family oriented. In my culture, family comes before anything which can be good or bad if it replaces God. I am blessed with amazing families both in Nigeria and in the U.S. I have an American host family that adopted me as their son.

Every male child grows up playing football in Nigeria (the real one), so I am one of the product of my society. I love the sport; and have used it to meet people that I call best friends today. Since American football makes sense to me now, I love the Seattle Seahawks. They get me excited every time I watch them play. Wanna talk about the last Superbowl? I was still in Colorado when the Broncos got bullied. I am also excited to watch LCHS football games.

I am excited to serve as an RA but more excited to see what Jesus has in store at Lustre. What I am looking forward to the most is meeting the students I will be serving, and I heard it snows a lot in Montana.

If you want to know anything about me, hit me up. Oh! I am afraid of heights and snakes.