We began homeschooling when the oldest children were two and have been doing it now for 18 years. While we were in the USA we heard all the same concerns that you have heard. About their social skills, friends - are they on par with other children their age? In response to those questions while we were in Missouri we were very active in Scouts, both Boy & Girl, church and at least three different support groups.

Then when we moved to Central Mexico, we started high school for Mike Jr. & Melissa (twins), and Mindy started 7^th grade. We knew that God had called us as a family to Mexico so leaving was hard but we had each other. Each child got to pack a crate of important items that they just couldn't live without and we sold or gave away everything else. It didn't seem like they were leaving their friends really because now they had the computer to e-mail or IM them, and that kept them connected. The relationships with the other homeschoolers are stronger today than when we left. When we travel back to MO in the summer we find that they have made arrangements to do special things with our children and go out of their way to include them just as if they had never left! (What school system would have done that?)

When we first moved here we missed the interaction with other children. In Tepic, the capital of Nayarit, there are not many Americans and none that were our children's ages. So they were pretty much alone until they learned the language. We plugged into a local church and the children began to thrive. It was so wonderful to see the children use all the skills that they had learned through homeschooling come into play.

We still covered all the basics that are required by the state of MO. One thousand hours of school-500 have to be language, math, science, and history-this is what MO requires. We have always used Alpha Omega workbooks for the foundation of our learning. I used to call in my order in April every year (they give a nice discount if you order early) but once we moved out of the country I used the Internet to order my books. This worked fine because we usually were in the States in June so I could pick up our next year's books on the trip. We added to these books with field trips and games to play. A couple of my favorite web sites for school ideas are 0-homeschoolreviews@yahoogroups.com and Soda Mail. They produce a reader feed newsletter of on-line free resources. Because we are now in Mexico they have had the cultural experience that they would never have been able to get in a Spanish classroom somewhere. Melissa was able to tutor several children in English as it is a required course for the Mexican Schools.

Our normal school day is anything but normal. We have children scattered around the house working in workbooks, often still in their PJ's until they are finished. School begins no later than 9am and often is finished before noon, giving the teenagers time to spend on other activities with their friends or at the church. When they were younger we played lots of games; I guess that is why they don't mind the rainy season here. When it rains, nothing electronic can be plugged in: video games, radio, television... and yes I still count it as school because most of our games are spelling, math or history based!

In the remote villages where we minister, the older adults do not speak Spanish, but Huichol; the younger children are taught both so as not to lose their native tongue. Some of the villages do not even have roads; just dirt paths and a pile of rocks is your sign post to turn, and are from 3 to 10 hours from our apartment. In these villages we encourage the native pastors with help in ministry, children's church and video nights. Several years ago we were able to help bring them the Bible in their own language. God is awesome in allowing us to play a part in sharing HIS Word to the lost. In some of the villages we still encounter the "witch-doctor" but in most of the ones we visit they have left, defeated!

It has been almost 6 years since we moved here and there have been many changes, the biggest when Mike Jr. & Melissa left for college last August. They are attending Greenville College in Illinois and have made the transition look easy We have Mindy with us now for one more year and I am looking forward to spending more time with her. She is hoping to attend Findlay College in Ohio in August of 2004 where she will be preparing to be a vet.

You can be a part of our ministry to the Huichol Indians by praying for us, sending us an encouraging note, becoming pen pals with our daughter, or assisting with finances. You can check us out on the Internet as well: www.geocities.com/makuelker/Las-Pilas.html or e-mail us at: makuelker@yahoo.com. Pen Pals and encouraging notes should come to: Kuelker, APDO 173, Tepic, and Nayarit MX CP63000. Donations should be made out to: IAM, PO BOX 167786, Oregon, OH 43616 include a note stating it is for Mike and Becky Kuelker. Prayers should be sent directly to the Heavenly Father!! :-)