The last half of our GAP year is flying by. On October 8, 2012, the students will begin their last quarter at GAP.
Eleven of the students have been busy with applications for university and most have been completed and submitted. We encouraged them to apply to more than one university as it is very difficult to be accepted at the universities here.
During the last quarter, the GAP students did job shadowing. It was a hectic time each morning departing by 6:30 a.m. delivering students. Students were assigned to different places: a hospital, a school, the SPCA, a B&B, electricians, plumber, construction firm, engineering firm, radio stations, a police station, a farm, fashion design, and the Department of Treasury. Most of them had really good experiences.
The third quarter is always a difficult one as students become tired of school and abiding by GAP rules. We were saddened to have two students decide they did not want to finish the GAP year. We pray that they continue to remember what they learned in their months at GAP, their commitment to Christ, and will continue to grow spiritually.
When discouragement comes, it seems like God always gives encouragement. Two weeks ago, one of last year’s students came and spent the afternoon with us. Lawrence met daily with this young man last year as he didn’t like to submit to authority or rules. At the end of GAP, he started stocking shelves with a grocery chain and proved himself so well he has been promoted and now doing managerial training. He thanked us for our loving him, teaching him, and disciplining him. He said he wouldn’t be where he is today without God’s direction and all he learned from us and other GAP leaders. He told us that he is certain that God sent us to South Africa last year specifically for him.
Pray for us and the students during this last eight weeks that university acceptances will come and job opportunities will open up for those not starting university in January.
