Contagious Excitement Sparks Family Change
“It’s very exciting to have students from so many different countries at our school” shares Karen Nava, Administrative Director at BridgeWay North American School in Mexico City, Mexico. “Our students come from countries including Japan, Korean, Russia, Venezuela, Colombia, Canada, the United States plus many more.”
This means holidays often need to be explained as students are exposed to them for the first time. In October, the school does not focus on or celebrate Halloween. So, the Kindergarten Spanish teacher got quite creative and wrote a story about “The Happy Machine.” She told the 5-year-olds that Jesus can change our sadness and anger into happiness, if He comes into their hearts. “The children asked a lot of questions about that,” Karen said. One little boy in particular, Daniel*, whose family is not from a Christian background, kept asking about Jesus. The teacher invited the children to pray and Daniel asked Jesus into his heart. Then he went home to tell his parents.
Daniel’s excitement was contagious! His parents soon became part of the monthly prayer meetings at the school. A clear sign that the ministry of BridgeWay is reaching not just their students, but their families and communities as well.
BridgeWay officially started in August of 2017 as a bilingual Christian school. “We wanted to offer a high quality, Christian education in the city,” Karen shares. The school now has classes from kindergarten to Grade 7 held in 10 classrooms. The curriculum is taught in 50% English and 50% Spanish to help students meet the academic standards in Mexico, Canada and the United States. From 7th grade the curriculum is taught in 80% English and 20% in Spanish. BridgeWay also offers a music program that includes singing for all students and some instrumental lessons for the older ones. “Our After School program fills a big need for families here, “Karen adds. “We offer activities like swimming, cooking, Bible Stories, crafts and games.”
“We look forward to offering more grades as the need grows and as we are able to build or purchase a larger facility.”
*Name has been changed
Pray for BridgeWay:
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For the opportunity to buy another building. They would like to expand to offer Grades 7 and 8. The whole school needs new facilities for sports and also a place where students can spend their recess and lunch time. You can donate here to support the project.
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For more staff, specifically a 7th grade English teacher, an Elementary English teacher and a Physical Education teacher. If you are interested you can find out more here.