Published November 04, 2009 12:48 pm - CONNEAUT — Summer has quickly slipped into autumn and autumn is fading into winter as the last of the leaves settle to the ground. Yet, at South Ridge Christian Academy there is a bright spot that also coincides with this time of year. It is the annual Missions Conference.
South Ridge alumnus serving mission with children in Honduras
Star Beacon
CONNEAUT — Summer has quickly slipped into autumn and autumn is fading into winter as the last of the leaves settle to the ground. Yet, at South Ridge Christian Academy there is a bright spot that also coincides with this time of year. It is the annual Missions Conference.
The Missions Conference is an opportunity for students to meet missionaries and learn more about who they really are. This year’s conference brought home one of SRCA’s own alumnus, Paul Hosier. Coming back to his alma mater revived many school memories.
“Consistency, the importance of making plans and working towards them, and the reality of your Christian life are some of the lessons I learned during my years here,” said Hosier.
Hosier, who graduated from SRCA in 1983, and his wife Sheila have five children. After graduation, Hosier went on to get his master’s degree in Christian counseling. He worked for 20 years as a director of Child Services, working with extremely abused children.
Three years ago the Hosiers were called to Honduras as missionaries where they work with Baptist Medical and Dental International. They feed around 70 children a day in a special feeding program, train staff for working with abused children and upon their return, will be opening a transitional living home for teen-agers. Hosier and his family sacrifice to provide love and care for children who would otherwise be digging through dumpsters in order to survive.
Children are often abandoned or left to themselves in Honduras. They are allowed to just run the streets. People in America would think they are being bad, but in a place like Honduras, there is no other place for them to go. They are simply trying to survive.
“It’s a different world. They sniff glue to take away the hunger pain. It’s awful what they have to go through. We can’t understand stuff like this over here (in America),” Hosier said. “These people have experienced more than anyone should have to experience.”
The Hosiers and three of their children will be returning to Honduras in January. They are excited about going “back home.”
“We wouldn’t want to be anywhere else; the children are still over there, nothing has changed. I have the best job in the whole world!” said Hosier.
Other activities at SRCA this fall included some special field trips. The kindergarten class made a trip to Port Farms in Waterford, Pa. At Port Farms they have turned acres of farmland into an adventure zone for the young and young at heart. The class began their adventure with a brief orientation and a lesson about the farm.
The students quickly understood what the term “busy as a bee” meant as they witnessed bees making honey from behind glass. But, this was only the beginning as they worked their way through the farm.
They were thrilled with corn mazes, slides, tunnels, farm animals, tractor bikes, pumpkin sling shots, lunch in the barn and other activities that kept them busy for hours. A favorite of all was the hay ride. After riding to the pumpkin patch students were able to pick their own pumpkins.
Voted “over the top” by the class was the corn box. This was a huge box, like a sand box, but filled with shelled corn. However, the corn proved to be no different than sand as students came home with pockets full of bright yellow kernels. Teacher Carolyn Dilemme took it all in stride and creatively planned a craft centered around the corn to remember their day.
Another volleyball season has ended successfully as it culminated with the annual mother/daughter volleyball game and awards night. A special thank you goes to SRCA’s new volleyball coaches, Tammy Roesch and SRCA alumni Amanda Pulaski and Laura Roesch.
Just as summer has slipped into autumn, the calendar at SRCA has slipped into a new month. Each new month brings more events and other activities. Nov. 12 to14 SRCA is looking forward to hosting the annual Shar-a-thon of Christian radio station WGOJ. This also includes a benefit spaghetti supper on Nov. 13.