CHCA Eagle's Eye 2014

CHCA’s network of global friends and relationships
has grown steadily and is becoming increasingly
reciprocal and mutually enriching.
Although there are many examples and stories of the
ways in which CHCA has been both guest and host, let me
offer three. First, I think of CHCA’s faculty, students, and
parents who have travelled frequently to the Tent of Nations
and Daher’s Vineyard, an organic farm located in the hills
southwest of Bethlehem. There they have learned first-hand
of the extraordinary Christ-like example of Daoud Nassar
and his family who tirelessly work towards building bridges of
understanding, reconciliation, and peace in Israel. The MSL
High School in return
welcomed and hosted
Mr. Nassar at CHCA as
he spoke in Chapel and
helped our community
understand first-hand
the calling we have
as Christ followers to
engage in working for
shalom within our world.
Next May, we anticipate
sending an Intersession group of students and faculty to both
learn about the struggle for peace and reconciliation between
Palestinian Christians and Jews, as well as to help develop and
install an aquaponic system on the farm.
Another example of growing reciprocity is the relationship
that has emerged between CHCA and an exceptional
school and community in Guatemala. CHCA has been the
beneficiary of two remarkable students from MAES Modern
American English School in Antigua, Guatemala, and CHCA
students and faculty have also had the opportunity to travel
there to learn, share, and deepen their understanding of
Spanish language and Guatemalan culture. Last summer
John Prado, one of our Spanish teachers at the High School,
travelled with a small group of students to Antigua and were
lovingly enveloped into MAES’ community, as they were
immersed into their life and culture living with host families.
The opportunities for deepening the relationship between
MAES and CHCA in the future are only just beginning.
The third example represents an exciting new development
for CHCA and a natural extension of the International
Student Program. Next spring, the first CHCA student will
spend a semester studying at Gehzi High School of Shanghai,
located in the heart of downtown Shanghai, China. Because
of the mutual trust and relationships that have developed
among CHCA, the Shangahi Dian Zhi Ya Cultural Exchange
Company, Gehzi High School and its parents and students, a
CHCA senior - whose passion is to study and prepare for an
International business career in Asia - will become possible
while in High School abroad. The opportunity to study and
live in China for a semester will provide an extraordinary
rich experience on which to draw in shaping her goals and
coursework in University. In addition to our first CHCA
exchange student, the growing relationship between CHCA
and schools in both Shanghai and Hangzhou, will soon
provide significant opportunities for collaboration and shared
learning between students and programs in both countries.
“For us, welcoming Guillermo into our home expanded
our family. In addition to Guillermo joining us, we have a
special bond with his family in Guatemala. This has been a
double blessing. Our lives are richer because our families are
connected. It has been an extraordinary experience for us all.”
CHCA Host Parents Todd and Natalie Pfister
Only one year ago CHCA launched the International
Student Program to comprehensively meet the needs of
a growing number of international students. Rather than
relying on traditional agencies to recruit and support these
students, CHCA designed a program that would facilitate the
recruitment of excellent students, place them with CHCA
families, and provide a level of academic and social support
that would allow these students to thrive and succeed as
integral members of our community. International Student
fees, in addition to regular tuition pay for these services and
the program, has been remarkably successful. Seven initial
students finished their first year within the program and we
anticipate welcoming an additional 16 new students from
China, Korea, Guatemala, and Mexico this fall. Ever since
the first international student arrived at CHCA in 2007, the
presence of international students in our school has deeply
enriched our academic program, lives, and community. We are
profoundly thankful for their presence in our lives and to the
host families who have lovingly opened their hearts and homes
to these young men and women. Please consider ways in which
your family might participate in the International Student
Program as guests or hosts in our growing communities
of friends around the world. If you would like additional
information on our program and specifically on opportunities
to host an international student, I would be delighted to
connect with you!
Please consider ways in which your family might
participate in the International Student Program as
guests or hosts in our growing communities of
friends around the world. Contact Todd Bacon for
more information - Todd.Bacon@chca-oh.org
1 Karen Hering, Writing to Wake the Soul. (New York, New York: Atria Books/Beyond Words, 2013), 192.
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