High Country Enrichment Families,

I pray that each of your families is resting and enjoying family time.  During these times of uncertainty, it is difficult to focus on today and not begin to wonder about how this will affect everyone long-term.  God is good and continues to provide.  (Matthew 6:25-34 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these ...)

HCHE is grateful for how God has cared for us for the past 23 years.  We know that He will still continue to provide and care for us and the families here. 

The board has prayerfully considered the closure of New Life Church and the impact that has on High Country.  Our policy states:

Cancellations:  If District 20 or New Life Church cancels due to severe weather, HCEC cancels all classes for the day. No make-up classes are scheduled; however, teachers may wish to assign make-up work. Students should be notified of make-up work within three days of the missed class. Refunds for classes missed due to snow or other acts beyond our control (like contagious disease) will not be given. In the rare event that three or more classes are administratively cancelled due to severe weather or other acts beyond our control, one make-up day will be scheduled, provided New Life facilities are available.

Due to New Life facilities not being available we have asked all classes to go to an online format. Tuition needs to be paid as normal.  Volunteer credits and staff will be paid as normal.  The heart of the ministry is to share the gospel, enrich your home-school experience, and to provide community.  By going online, we will still be able to complete this mission.  HCHE staff is still all working and preparing for the upcoming fall semester.  There will still be important details sent out in our weekly bulletin along with encouraging words to keep us living out our faith.  We are all working hard to use the technology available to move many onsite items to online.  We ask for your commitment to fill out the online forms, check your emails and read the communication sent so this can run smoothly.

As we move forward please keep in contact via phone and email with fellow students and teachers.  This is social distancing, not break of contact.  The Lord will guide you in everyday decisions and with peace of mind during uncertainty. (1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!)  With teachers moving the classes online, this will look different from having them at New Life.  Please be gracious to them.  They are working extra hard to provide a class to you in a format that was not planned.  Everyone is doing their best to provide the heart of the ministry from home.  We are not called to live life alone, but in community.  We want to have weekly contact, prayer, and the gospel message to keep us strong in this time.

The board does want to support families that are in need.  We are a nonprofit ministry and have always operated that way, so we do not have a surplus of funds.  But with that said, if you do have a benevolence need please write a letter to the board.  We know that this is hitting the economy, and we will do what we can to help families.  The best resources and guidance will come from our home churches.  Please reach out to them as well if needed.  Let us also trust God with our finances.  (Luke 12:15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”)  He will guide us and can stretch finances, food, anything more than we ever can.  

This unforeseen event is tough.  I know there will be questions and concerns from many angles.  I will be here to answer you.  I do ask that you prayerfully raise concerns.  Pray about all questions for at least 24 hours and then reach out.  I will be doing the same as I answer all of you.  I know God will give us each wisdom and peace, and I am resting in that. (Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.)

Erica Danielson

HCEC Administrator

(307) 399-5545