One June day in 2001, the lives of Rebecca Sater and her two daughters suddenly changed forever. Rebecca's husband Tom passed away unexpectedly, leaving her to face an uncertain future. Among her greatest concerns was 12-year-old Victoria and 5-year-old Caitlin's education.
Rebecca knew that enrolling her daughters in a private Christian school was not financially feasible. "But I didn't want to put the girls in school, so I prayed a lot about it," she remembers. "God provided ways for me to continue homeschooling. It was nothing short of miraculous."
A friend and Memphis-Area Home Education Association support group leader told Rebecca about the Home School Foundation's Widows Fund and encouraged her to apply for a scholarship. In addition, she found a job working for Memphis-Area Home Education Association.
The Saters' daily routine has changed. Because Tom was self-employed and able to adjust his own schedule, the girls' homeschooling schedule was quite fluid. Today, Rebecca keeps a more established school schedule that fits with her job.
Certain aspects of their homeschool routine have not changed, however. The girls continue to participate in regional spelling bees, geography bees, and field trips. Rebecca also carries on her practice of borrowing and exchanging curriculum with extended family members. For curriculum that Rebecca has needed to buy, the WCSF scholarship has been a great blessing in supplementing some of the girls' special interests in language and science.
Far more than just enabling Rebecca to purchase curriculum, the scholarship proves to be a ministry to her from other homeschoolers. Rebecca explains, "The Scholarship Fund is a concrete way for people to turn around and bless someone in need. It's been a help for us. It shows that people really care."
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change . . .
Come, behold the works of the LORD . . .
"Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Psalm 46:1-11 NAS
