Occasionally, Trish posts a flashback picture of an adorable, smiling, little Ben sitting in a bucket. That shot earned him the nickname Bucket Boy among hundreds of homeschooling moms. Ben has long outgrown the bucket and as hard as it is to admit, he has also outgrown the name Bucket Boy. Ben is 18-yrs-old now, and he’s making some mighty grown up decisions. So, this post is all about Bucket Man.
For the past few years, Ben has been attending a private Christian boarding school. He has been doing well there, and matured a lot. Now, Ben is at a crossroad. He could continue on at his boarding school and finish his high school education there. But Bucket Man has decided to try a different path.
The Honduran Air Force has a program, which allows students who pass the application and testing process to enter a 3-year program. At the end of the three years, students come out with a high school education, the rank of sergeant, and the necessary training to go into the Air Force as an aviation mechanic. Such job security would be great for a young adult in the U.S. In Honduras, it is monumental!
Trish said that she is really excited to see Ben finding his way and making plans for his future in this way. She admitted that it is a little scary for her to think about him moving from a sheltered Christian school to a military environment. Wasn’t it just yesterday that he fit so neatly in a bucket?
Ben is still a student at the boarding school, but they received permission for him to get out for a couple of days for the special testing. On Sept. 29, Melvin drove the 1.5 hours to pick up Ben. Then he drove 1.5 hours back to Gracias and another couple of hours beyond that to the testing sight. A friend of Ben’s also had his initial application accepted and he made the trip with them.
Both young men had previously taken an online test of general academic subjects. They took a very similar test in person. Of the eighteen young people to apply, only seven passed on to the next level. There was also a physical fitness test, a psychological test, and a physical exam. They weren’t given results of every test, but Ben passed the ones they gave him results of. The final results will arrive in December. That will allow Ben to complete his current school year.
If he is accepted, the new program will start at about the same time the new year at boarding school will begin. Being the mature Bucket Man that he is, Ben is not burning any bridges. If this new opportunity isn’t what God has in store for him, he will be able to return to his current school to finish strong.
Please pray for Ben as he begins making these choices for his future. As every parent knows, it’s not easy when they outgrow the bucket!
- posted by Christi.
3 comments:
Praying for Bucket Man and the whole Sowers family through this process!
I remember the “Bucket Boy” photo very well. Ben has certainly grown up since then, and it sounds as though he has positioned himself well for a promising future. I will be praying for the perfect outcome.
I've been praying for Ben (then David as I recall) since he was that amazing bucket boy with the incredible story stole all of our hearts. It's incredible to see how God's hand has been so visibly on his life since the very beginning and we will continue to pray as he's entering this age of so many decisions and transitions.
Thanks for the update and Trish, may your Momma's heart know that even in the Honduran Air Force program I'm certain he will have a bunch of prayer warriors around the world interceding on his behalf!!!
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