Be Still My Soul

I woke up this morning at 3 AM and never went back to sleep.  My mind couldn’t settle on any one thing so I submitted to resting instead of sleeping.  My body is mixed up along with my mind and heart.  Now it’s 5:30 and though it’s still dark, the birds are already giving praise to their creator. 

My thoughts and feelings need the sifting of my Savior, just as wheat falls to the threshing floor, while the chaff blows away in the wind.  What remains produces a harvest of food to satisfy and seeds to plant in the next season. 

I choose to believe what I know is true-

• 1.        God brought me home.  It’s the next step on his path for me.
• 2.       Everything God does holds purpose.

Though my heart is already missing the 48 children I’ve come to love, it’s rejoicing in the community of friends and family surrounding me.  Even though I don’t know all the steps ahead, I will join the birds in praising my Creator until there is light along the path.  Thank you for your prayers.

in my ears...

….a song that’s quite appropriate

Hold Me by Jonny Diaz

Any other day I’d just run away from what lies ahead but right here I stand choosing to remain right here where I've been led.

I cannot see the end.  I cannot pretend the seas are calm ahead and the only thing I can cling to is what you said.

Clouds assume command, the sky unrolls it’s wrath, but firmly still I stand.  There’s no turning back.

I need you to hold me when the storms begin to rage cause you know me, and you know that I’m afraid.

Oh I’d rather go round, but I’m following now so I’ll trust that I’ll make it through

Just help me remember, I’m never alone. I’m walking with you.

What is still unknown has caused my fear to grow.

Fear of thoughts unseen.

But with your embrace I know I can face all that's facing me.

Clouds assume command, the sky unrolls it’s wrath, but firmly still I stand.  There’s no turning back.

I need you to hold me when the storms begin to rage

Cause you know me, and you know that I’m afraid.

Oh I’d rather go round, but I’m following now so I’ll trust that we’ll make it through

Just help me remember, I’m never alone. I’m walking with you.

A term well lived

Friday was the last day of our 2nd term in 2011.  The term ended well with a day of recitation.  Each class presented something they had learned.  We all sang, "What a Friend we have in Jesus" and "Trust and Obey."

The first year of preschool sang the B-I-B-L-E and sang songs about shapes.

The second preschool class sang "Jesus Paid it All" and did an ABC sound off.

The kindergarten class sang "Near the Cross" , the Old Testament Books, and did a finger play.

The first graders (my class) skip counted from 2's up through 12's and then said Isaiah 40:9-25.

The fruit of God's grace in each class was evident.   He has been faithful to teach the students much this term.  Truly, I've been a student as well.  As I've taught these children, God has taught me about

• joy despite hardship and loss
• endurance to overcome obstacles
• prayer that transforms
• humility that looks to God instead of self

We followed the recitation and awards with a special lunch.  The students were thrilled to try hamburgers, eat chips (fries), and to drink sodas.  

tacos

It all started a few months ago on the playground.  One of my students asked me what I eat in America.  Here, they have a rotating menu, but mostly eat the same foods each week.  I started naming off a variety of foods including chicken, spaghetti, etc. 

Then I said....  tacos

All the children around me burst into laughter.  "You eat tacos?"  

                                                                                "Yes"

The children proceeded to tell me that in Swahili "mataco" means buttocks.  The way they told me was by saying, "taco is this"  while hitting their rears.  

Ever since then taco has become a favorite topic in my class.  I showed them pictures of tacos on my computer, but they are still fascinated with the concept.  A few weeks ago one of their books was about growing tomatoes.  At the end it had several things you could make with tomatoes.  Beatrice had to show me the taco everyday.

Due to this, I decided to invite my class over to my house for a taco tasting as an end of the term celebration.  They were African tacos made on chapatis instead of tortillas. (A chapati is similar, but a little thicker.)

Melissa and Ben helped prepare this.

The children weren't sure about it when I let them smell the seasoning packet, but in the end it was a success.  They were thrilled.  Yesterday they said, "I want to do tacos again today."  

Elijah

The reality of my impending departure is setting in.  My return to the states will bring many decisions regarding a house that hasn't sold and a job that hasn't been found.  Sunday night my friend, Melissa, encouraged me by sharing what her pastor has been teaching on Elijah.  She said that God did not tell Elijah the next step until his current circumstances were complete.  

Yesterday morning I looked up this passage of scripture and found it in 1 Kings 17.  Verses  7 and 8 say: 

"And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land.  Then the word of the Lord came to him."

Reflecting on this renews my resolve that God provides for his people.  Last night I walked over to one of the boys' cottages for evening devotions.  Five little treasures were sitting on the floor in their pajamas listening to their mama teach from the Bible.  I was amazed at the story she had selected; it was none other than 1 Kings 17 and 18.  God clearly wanted to reinforce this passage in my heart.  Our village Bible Study has been on Isaiah.  She had chosen this passage on her own.  

Yesterday I also received word that my friend, Lynsey, has had her second child, Elijah Glenn. 

Uncle Ben

My last night in the states was a late one.  I remember my brother sitting on the floor, writing a note to me in the book my church family put together.  It was hard to say goodbye to him, knowing that his life would change in significant ways by the time I returned home.  Since then he's graduated college, been accepted to dental school, and continued to grow in God's will for him.

My students reading their library books to him after lunch the first day.

He arrived here on Tuesday night and met the children for the first time on Wednesday at lunch.  One of my students who usually doesn't say much proclaimed, "your brotha, looka like Jesus."  It's the beard.  They aren't used to wazungu (white people) with facial hair.  African men don't tend ot have much facial hair either.  She then went on to say, "when people see your brotha, they say, 'Jesus is coming! Jesus is coming!'"   She was thrilled when he joined our table the next day.  Ben has a cheerful effect on people.  

It's always interesting to see what name the children will decide to give a person.  Despite how you introduce someone, they will modify that person's name.  Ben was introduced as "Mr. Ben," but by Friday they were calling him "Uncle Ben."  As I've thought about it, that seems fitting.  I've come to love these children like they are my own. 

 










Uncle Ben has enjoyed playing soccer (football) and Frisbee with the children.  Since I'm athletically challenged, I'm more than joyful to watch with the cheering section. 

cheering section

The children are having fun with him, and I'm enjoying catching up on life (past and present).

This is the maize just outside our gate.

Happy Birthday Father's Day

My dad's birthday is on June 16th, which is always closely linked to Father's Day.  This year my brother, Ben, and I are serving our heavenly Father and away from our earthly father.  This post is for a father who has been open to what my heavenly father had planned for me.  Dad, I thought you'd enjoy seeing the children who join you in celebrating a June birthday.  I love you!

The first time I met the children was at the July birthday party.  Birthday parties are once a month, usually the 3rd Saturday.  The festivities begin on Friday with the decorating of birthday crowns.  I was delighted to help this month!

Then during afternoon snack on Saturday the children come full of joy for cake and presents. 

Clinton, Erick, John, Kelvin, and Witness have been telling me about their June birthday ever since I arrived.   They blew out the candles, we prayed for each child, and then we all enjoyed cake. 

 

 

Medley

You never know what will happen when you go to afternoon playtime...

              drumming

                   singing

                       playground
                           jump rope
                               sidewalk chalk

                                   all of the above

                                        or none of the above.

On Friday I enjoyed several medleys and thought you would too.

First up: Witness singing:  "Good morning God, this is your day.  I am your child. Show me your way."

Next: Clinton and Mary (brother and sister) singing: Tis so Sweet (one of our recent hymns).  Tis so true to trust a Savior that found these two!

  
And the finale: Witness, Isaka, and Theresia singing Jesus Loves Me.  (with Irene in the background)

27- Neema

Two weeks ago we welcomed our 27th resident child, Neema.  Neema means grace in Swahili and is a perfect name for our new treasured daughter; she's gentle and affectionate.  On her first night I joined the children for an evening walk.  It was easy to fall in love with her as she held my hand.  God shows his love through these children in powerful ways.  Due to roadblocks with social welfare she had been waiting over a year to come.  We are all rejoicing that she's here.  She will be Mary's (in green) classmate starting Monday, June 6th.