Just one week ago I hopped on a plane, flew 3,000 miles over the Pacific, drove up a mountain, then drove another 90 miles across sand-covered nothingness, only to arrive back at Sun Valley Indian School. This past week has consisted of orientation, classroom set-up, and many, many meetings. In fact, they’ve been so frequent that these meetings are beginning to appear in my dreams! Yet, even so, many questions are still left unanswered.
First, through all the chaos, a praise! At this time last year, 27 Native American children were enrolled for their year-long adventure at this boarding school. Currently, we have 54! God has doubled us! Are we ready? It sure doesn’t seem like it. However, I know that He never gives us more than we can handle, so we’ll talk this as a compliment.
My class this year consists of 12 so far. I have 9 little girls and 3 little boys in the second and third grades. My classroom is set-up and ready to go, with the simple theme of Hawaii. Tan rugs on my floor represent the beach, and over thirty Hawaiian pictures hang around my walls. Flowers are on nearly every bulletin board, and even an oversized version of the Honolulu Star newspaper from December 8th, 1941 hangs. My parents have also been so kind to purchase 15 Hawaiian beach towels straight from the islands to mail to my students. That way, they will each have their own personal area to read around the classroom as they spread out.
Today the kids arrive. Following church at Holbrook First Baptist, I will be in my classroom making last minute preparations for the week ahead. Around 3:00, as their trucks and cars arrive, students will be invading our campus, running around with smiles on their faces. It will no longer be quiet. Maybe I won’t even be able to hear these darn crickets anymore! In their place, sounds of laughter and “Hey Ms. Matheny!” from across the field will fill the air. The frogs will begin to be caught and played with. Playground equipment will no longer be abandoned. Kitchen workers will be working double-time to feed nearly 100 mouths every day! My evenings will consist of kickball, tag, rollerblading, and riding my bike (as soon as new tire tubes are purchases, of course).
In order to get to know our kids better, we spend two days the first week with field trips. Due to all the generous donators across the United States and world, we are able to provide these beautiful children with experiences they have never, and may never, be exposed to. On Tuesday we are driving the entire school to Slide Rock in Sedona for a day of playing in the creek, followed by a picnic lunch and field games. Then, on Wednesday, the 1st-5th graders will be heading to Flagstaff (represent!) for bowling, lunch at the park, Walnut Canyon, and of course, my favorite, Sonic Happy Hour! $0.50 slushes are definitely affordable for my twelve children and may be something they have never had before. Last year, I took my class to Dairy Queen as a reward for filling their marble jar and one student looks at me saying, “Ms. Matheny, this is my first time at a Dairy Queen!”
This is what Sun Valley Indian School is all about- exposing these children to new experiences, as well as God’s love, while providing them with a good education, basic health care needs, a bed to sleep in, and three meals a day. We are so grateful for everyone who sacrifices each month to donate to our school. Even in this time of bad economy, individuals are still willing to give. That is what the family of Christ is all about. Praise God for everything He’s been doing. Please pray for the staff, the students, and the funding for SVIS. Let the 2011-2012 school year begin!! J
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