MAY 2007 NEWSLETTER

Samuel E. Harris, Ret. Lt. Col U. S. Army. Sam is Principal at MLK JHS.

Sam Harris walked on to the MLK campus and was ready to leave after a few days due to the extreme conditions. Instead, he began as Principal of MLK JHS in 2000 to turn MLK around. The school was plagued by a lack of leadership, gang activity, and 50% teacher turn over. MLK had vast racial diversity amongst the students and 70% of incoming students were reading at 2nd thru 4th grade levels. SAT-9 testing scores were 48 points lower than the year before. MLK was the lowest performing JHS in the district. MLK also experienced 35% truancy, numerous fights on campus, suspensions and expulsions.


After six full school years of Sam’s leadership and love for his staff and students, MLK student performance has consistently increased, teacher turnover is less than 6%, truancy is 15%, gang activity and fighting on the campus is very infrequent, and values, consistent with God’s way, are being taught on campus. It has been a pleasure to come alongside one of God’s heroes, Sam Harris. Sam has told me he has offers to be a District Superintendent, but God hasn't released him. Sam exemplifies Eph. 2:10 with his dedication to serving his staff and students at MLK.

March 29th we received verbal approval to begin LightHouse on the campus of MLK JHS in the fall of 2007. We wait, sometimes not so patiently, for final approval from the District. Until then, we’re scheduling our initial prayer walk at MLK on June 2nd. We’re moving slowly forward with identifying prospective mentors, tutors, and other volunteers to launch LightHouse in September 2007.

In late December, Lee and I along with one of our donors, began to assist a single father with two children attending MLK. He walks 3 miles to and from work, makes $1,000 per month, pays $525 for a small one bedroom apartment near MLK, and has boarded up the windows to keep drug addicts from stealing their one TV. When Nick and I first visited this family, it was a cold 270 outside. It was not much warmer inside because the landlord refused to repair their wall heater. The father is a follower of Jesus. When we laid hands on him and prayed, his spirit jumped with joy. Since that time, others have joined me at their apartment for prayer and witnessed his joyful spirit….an inspiration to me and those with me.

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus” 1Thes. 5:16-18

The Warriors and our wives and children enjoy time together. We try to have a family gathering or couples time together once per month. Lots of laughs, good food. and great fellowship. The Warriors meet weekly and have been focusing on Phil. 3:12(b) “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me”. We are getting to know each other, enjoying each other and beginning to love each other.

On a family note, dad celebrated his 87th birthday and Nick is home from Cal Baptist and is now a Sophomore. He has committed to serve in Young Life when he returns in the fall. Nick had surgery on his right foot, and we’re hopeful this will allow him to continue with tennis. Thomas enjoyed playing tennis for Forest Lake Christian HS. Lee is having a ball working at Apricot Lane. Lee’s sister, Sue, is preparing for a bone marrow transplant for her cancer, which returned two months ago. We are very thankful and grateful for all God is doing to us and through us.

Please join us as we pray: "Lord, Your ways are excellent and the ways of man dark; may You open our eyes that we may see You; may You make heaven more real that all earthly things; may we exalt You higher than all earthly desires and things; may You show us how to die that we may rise to the life You have planned for us; may we draw near to You in full assurance of faith and may our deeds move the lost towards Jesus; may You bring the laborers to join Your LightHouse team; Father please protect all those who serve at MLK and those who attend MLK; and Lord bless us with patience as we seek to see You move in this dark area of Sacramento."

Thank you for your prayers and continuing financial support as God guides us in carrying out His calling on our lives.

In His grip,

Bill & Lee Coibion
1637 Old Hart Ranch Road
Roseville, CA 95661
916.412.5554 cell