At the end of the semester, Ouachita Hills College decided to wrap up this semester of the ESL program with a celebration to honor the students that had completed the program and to encourage others to return next semester. Several of the level three students that completed the ESL course spoke in English to encourage the other students in the importance of starting AND finishing an ESL program to learn how to speak English better. After the speeches, Ouachita Hills Academy's Ringers of Hope bell choir performed several songs including "Now the Green Blade Rises" and "Crown Him Glorious Lord". The mini-concert was followed up my a meal of salad, pasta, garlic bread, and cookies. During this time, the students had the opportunity to spend some time together and with their teachers and friends from ESL. Here at Ouachita Hills we are looking forward to another semester of ESL classes that will begin in August.

In the available time before supper, students moved quickly to transform the cafeteria from an institutional dining room to a cozy, nostalgic setting complete with two rocking chairs in front of a fireplace. In a surprise student-organized gathering, student after student took his or her place in one of the rocking chairs to express thankfulness for a certain staff member. "Pastor Rosengren and I go way back," Rafael Rodriguez reminisced before clarifying that "way back" referred to their meeting only a few months prior. Even as a new student, though, it didn't take Rafael long to warm up to Pastor Rosengren and the rest of the faculty of Ouachita Hills Academy and College. "I really appreciate what you do for the campus, Mr. Owens -- all the time you take to make it look nice. And thank you for being such a good work supervisor and someone I can always talk to." This is only a small part of Daniel Treat's lengthy speech, but no matter how verbose it was, the message was of love and gratitude. Though this special event only comes once a year, the students of Ouachita Hills want the staff to know everyday how much they are loved and appreciated.

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On Wednesday evening, February 20, Megan Smith received her diploma in secondary education. Because of her emphasis on mathematics and science, Megan asked Dr. Henry Zuill, a biologist and retired professor from Union College, to speak for her graduation. He based his message on Hebrews 10:35. Ms. Smith now teaches Algebra, Precalculus, and Consumer Mathematics at Ouachita Hills Academy.

Congratulations, Megan!

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The Arkadelphia Seventh day Adventist church joined all Heaven in rejoicing on Sabbath, January 19 as Bill Hollis, Vanessa Malette, and Cindi Myers committed their lives to Jesus and His truth in baptism.
Bill has been a committed, Sunday-keeping Christian for many years. Last spring he began praying that a church would come to Arkadelphia that taught the Bible. A few weeks later he received a flyer in the mail for a series of meetings on Bible prophecy. He didn’t know it, but the meetings were held by a group of students and staff of OHC who were working and praying to raise up a Seventh-day Adventist church in Arkadelphia. Bill attended faithfully and rejoiced in the truths he learned from the Bible. We are delighted that God used OHC to answer Bill’s prayer.
Vanessa shares how she was sitting in her apartment one day two years ago when she heard a knock at her door. She says that she did not feel like answering the door, but that the knocking continued. When she opened the door a woman selling Christian books and offering Bible studies greeted her. She accepted and began studying with Ms. Veronica Jenkins. Vanessa rejoices in the way that God has led her to a deeper walk with Him.
Cindi was raised Seventh-day Adventist and baptized at a young age. She has been an active member of the Arkadelphia group for over a year. Cindi felt God calling her to rebaptism and chose this occasion to recommit her life to Jesus.
Several other people in Arkadelphia are preparing for baptism. Please keep each of these in your prayers.

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On January 15, Ouachita Hills College in cooperation with the Clark County Department of Adult Education launched an English as a second language program to meet the needs of the growing non-English speaking community. After only the second class, 56 adults have enrolled with a desire to learn and develop English speaking skills. This is a significantly larger amount of students than was anticipated! Fortunately, three classrooms were provided at the old elementary school building in Amity for the ESL program to be conducted in. Students from Ouachita Hills immediately volunteered to help accommodate the large amount of students.
Alvin Cardona, a freshman from Ouachita Hills College and ESL instructor said, "Their desire to learn and excitement are contagious. I feel privileged to be a part of this project. I know that the program itself is going to be an effective way of improving the lives of many people in the community."
We are so grateful that God has given us the opportunity to minister to these souls on a weekly basis, and we ask the Holy Spirit to help us focus on this Christian mission.

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