For Such a Time as This?

As I said in my last post, we got our application to the Special Needs Scholarship committee turned in 24 hours early.  We felt really good about our application, until I got an email at 1:30 on April 1st.  By the time I was able to speak with the lady at the committee to learn exactly why we were denied, we had less than 2 hours to send in an amended application.  The real problem is that it appears the system is designed to not allow new schools to qualify.  


We knew from the beginning that they would be looking for us to be financially viable--what we didn't know was that the only documents they would accept are documents that we cannot produce until we have been in business for at least three months!  The other real problem is that if they do not approve us this year, any children who enroll in our school this year will never be able to receive their scholarship because the law states that the student must be enrolled in a public school the year preceding the year they apply for the scholarship. This is really unfair and discriminating, we feel.  We know that many of our students will not qualify for or need the scholarship, but we also know there a some that want to enroll but will not be able to attend without it.


Our Board has written a four page rebuttal to this decision and are fervently praying that the committee will reconsider.  We have even suggested that they grant us a provisional approval the first year which would protect the students: they could get their  scholarship this year and if we are not approved then the second year they could stay with us and lose their scholarship or change schools and keep it. Because of my study of Esther this semester, I has occurred to me that perhaps God will use our situation to set a precedent for other new schools. And who knows but that we have come to this position for such a time as this? We have a good friend who is related to our state senator and he discussed our situation with him today and gave him our rebuttal to review.  He told our friend that he would look into it and see what he could do this week!


So, again, I ask you to PRAY!!  First of all that we, like Esther, are careful to be respectful of the authorities in place and not offend them.  Most importantly, we pray that everything we say and do will Glorify God and be an example of Christ's love. We also pray that the Senator will carefully read the rebuttal and successfully intervene on our behalf.  Lastly, we do pray that the hearts of the committee will be changed and we will be accepted as a school eligible to receive Special Needs Scholarships and that God will provide all the students we need to pay all of our bills and be a financially viable school!!


Thank you for all of your prayers and encouraging words.  We KNOW that God is in the center of this entire project and that He is in control!  Our scripture this week is Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."