Risks of Following Jesus

We are incredibly blessed to be able to operate Vita Nova in a country where our staff will not risk their lives just to teach. The following is a news bulletin from Voice of the Martyrs (http://www.persecution.com/)

SOMALIA Four Christian Teachers Murdered - VOM Sources

On April 13, four Christian teachers, two of them converts from Islam, were murdered by Islamic militants in Beledweyne in south-central Somalia. The four teachers, two British citizens of Somali origin-Mr. Daud Hassan Ali (64) and Ms. Rehana Ahmed (32)-and two unidentified Kenyans, were shot and killed by Islamist insurgents during a midnight raid on the Hakab Private English School. The Islamic extremist group responsible for the violence, alleged that they fired indiscriminately and that the teachers were killed in crossfire. Local people, however, believe the teachers were singled out for their suspected evangelistic work. The wife of Daud Hassan Ali alleged that her husband was targeted because he was a Muslim-born convert to Christianity. Pray the families of those killed will rest in the knowledge that those who die in the Lord will be raised with Him. Pray the perpetrators of this attack will come to repentance and salvation. Pray for wisdom and protection for those serving Christ in Somalia. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Spaghetti Success!

Few words could describe our Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday better than...WOW! We estimate around 70 guests visited Vita Nova and enjoyed a wonderful spaghetti meal, complete with desserts, including a cake with our name on it from one of our families.

And speaking of our families...what a tremendous amount of giving they all demonstrated. Parents and children alike gave of their time, talents, and resources to make this spaghetti dinner and raffle a tremendous success. Not only did we raise nearly $2000.00, but we got to meet some wonderful people, who in turn got to share in the spirit of Vita Nova.

We offer a huge THANK YOU to all who made this possible, whether through their donations or their hard work. We could not have done this without you.

Please click on the picture below, which will take you to the picture page on our website. You may also click here to visit the links to our growing number of community and corporate supporters.

A Roman Emperor on Education

We have a page on our website that is a growing collection of quotations that enrich and advance the vision of our school. The following is from the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, who reigned from 138-161 A.D. He is famous for being something of a philosopher, and his book, Meditations, has been in constant print for nearly 2000 years. Writing in Greek he acknowledged various influences on his life, including that of his father, mother, and great grandfather. What is fascinating is that one of the truths he came to see is one that a rapidly growing number of families are embracing today.

Meditations 4

From my great-grandfather I learned not to go to the public schools and to have good teachers at home and to understand that for such things it is necessary to spend eagerly and lavishly.

We all spend our money on the things we choose. The wise know that there are few better investments than in the education and future of our children. Yes, it is unfair that those who choose Christian education for their children must pay twice, once in the form of tuition and again in the form of taxes that support schools they will not attend. Yet Christians throughout the ages have been willing to suffer, many to the point of death, for what they believed to be right, and we can be confident that if we prayerfully follow God's leading, He will bless our faithfulness more than we can imagine. Remember, it is Jesus Himself Who says, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38, NIV)