What Exactly?

Note: This post is written to answer the most pressing question we’ve received in the past few weeks. What exactly are we doing in Tucson?

For the past three weeks, we’ve called the north parking lot of Pusch Ridge Christian Academy our home as we serve with the SOWER ministry. PRCA is nestled at the edge of the Pusch Ridge in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains which grace the northeast perimeter of Tucson. Mount Lemmon, the highest peak of this range, rises to 9,157 feet. These mountains are predominantly a smokey earthly tone, absent the dark green hue of spruce trees and the brilliant white of a fresh snowfall. Nonetheless, their majesty inspires awe.

Serving with the SOWER ministry at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy (PRCA) has been an uplifting and gratifying privilege. This K-12 private school reflects all that education can be. Watching how the students interact with each other and with their teachers is what I imagine all parents hope for their children’s educational and social development. I can’t help but ponder how our country would be different if every child could experience what this school offers.

Sixth through twelfth graders enjoy this beautiful campus in northeastern Tucson, while K-5^th are located about 10 minutes southeast of us. A third campus will be opening in the fall of 2022 to address the growing demand for the classical education Pusch Ridge Christian Academy delivers, which it describes as a long tradition that emphasizes seeking after truth, goodness, and beauty through a study of the seven liberal arts and the Great Books, a canon of literature known for its excellence in uncovering the human spirit. 

Each morning, students can be found outside playing basketball, tetherball, and volleyball before the school day begins. Students calmly take turns. Older kids encourage younger kids. I recently witnessed a tall high schooler wrap his arm around a younger, shorter boy, encouraging, “You’ll make the team! Just try out. You’ll rock it.” 

Students follow a dress code, all looking ready to learn. Haircuts are neat and trim. No tattoos are visible. Self-sufficiency is applauded: an entrepreneurial 7^th grader is selling casseroles to raise the required funds to go to Washington D.C. (I’ve purchased Grannies Baked Spaghetti!). The 8^th graders participate in etiquette classes. Young men learn to extend an arm for a young lady and to pull back her chair as a lady is seated. Students learn to make polite conversation and which utensils to use. Students also learn the basics of ballroom dance steps. The experience culminates in a formal dance in the spring.

Teachers exchange friendly banter with their students as the kids funnel into classrooms just in time for the opening bell. Announcements, a short devotion from one of the teachers, and a prayer starts the day. Each classroom then recites the Pledge of Allegiance and the memory verse of the week. Thursday mornings include an hour of chapel time, high schoolers together in the gym while middle schoolers come together in the café. Last Thursday, I witnessed a couple hundred students worshipping God with such joy and beauty, I was moved to tears. Genuine care is clearly evident between students, teachers, and administrators. The positive energy in this building in contagious and so refreshing to the human spirit.

This institution’s commitment to developing men and women of faith and character is remarkable. Biblical teaching is woven into the curriculum and the culture of this school. PRCA clearly expresses its vision for each student through the “portrait of a PRCA graduate.” This portrait articulates five character traits that are cultivated in each student: a Virtuous Steward, a Courageous Christian, a Justice Seeker, a Truth Seeker and a Servant Leader. Sports are an important element of PRCA as well, challenging students to be disciplined and to grow physically and spiritually.

As SOWERs, our work here is very practical. Most of my time has been in the kitchen. My resumé now includes new skills requiring dexterity: filling small cups with ranch dressing or salsa, wrapping cookies, brownies, muffins and scones, filling paper sacks with freshly made tortilla chips, and making meatball subs. I humbly confess that I might have sampled an item or two. The kitchen ladies, also know as the “kitchen angels,” are delightful! Time passes quickly with friendly banter. A few office projects have been thrown in the mix as well. Skip’s work has been similarly concrete so far: building a storage shed and trenching in a water line. One other SOWER couple is serving with us. We’ve enjoyed their camaraderie.

This work is a radical change from my career as a business analyst when crafting intricate process maps, documenting complex business issues, or training colleagues consumed my mind. Volunteering as a SOWER has been an adjustment to be sure, but one I’m embracing; I find joy in the simplicity of the tasks. In the past couple of weeks, three students have said in passing, “Thanks for volunteering here.” How refreshing to hear teenagers acknowledge the efforts of others.

We will leave here filled to overflowing with gratitude for this experience and with greater hope for the future, knowing that PRCA graduates will make this world a better place. We hope to return in the future!