Testing 1,2,3,4,5…Testing 1,2,3,4,5

Yesterday (Monday), we began our annual achievement testing using the TerraNova test which is graciously procured by Puebla Christian School on our behalf. This year, we’ll be testing 22 homeschoolers (including our own 2 boys) from grades 1 through 11 (minus 7th).

Today and yesterday, we’ve been testing 7 MKs in grades 1 through 5. Next Monday and Tuesday, we’ll travel to Querétaro and proctor tests for 13 more MKs in grades 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11. We will conclude the following Monday and Tuesday with siblings in grades 8 and 11. They are out of the country until late next week so they will have to test by themselves.

After all the tests have been taken, we will ship the answer sheets and booklets back to PCS so they can be added to the rest of their tests and sent to the USA for scoring. Results are usually returned by early summer but due to logistics, sometimes families may not receive their results until late in the year.

While the testing only keeps us busy for a couple weeks, it is one of the most valued aspects of the education ministry to MKs. The results of these tests allow each family to know how they’re doing from year to year in the education of their children. Some of these missionary families probably would not choose to homeschool had they been back in the USA. Some of these missionary families find homeschooling to be a very difficult challenge. Of course, in missions ministry there are many other challenges that accompany living/working cross-culturally in a foreign country doing a spiritual work. We’re pleased to be able to help them through facilitating this testing. Over the years, these tests have helped many missionary families gauge their progress and to identify problem areas in their curriculum and even learning issues with their children.

We praise God for these families and how God is using them in their various ministries. It is encouraging to know that in helping them in this practical way, they are able to continue touching the lives of literally thousands of people through their ministries. That is exciting to us and encourages us to know that this ministry and our efforts here are worth the investment our ministry partners and we are making here in Mexico. Thanks for praying and giving!