Well the past two weeks have been a blur, but awesome :)
Week one we were the teachers, and God was able to use our knowledge of the kids to make it the best it could be to serve the kids. We were able to plan it knowing which kids would smile and how to encourage the whole week. I got to teach the kids about missions, and in a hands on way. We discussed the different continents each day :) It was insane to see how even though we were few, God still worked through the week and was able to give us management of the kids.
This past week we had a team from Griffin, Ga, which is awesome because they were so incredibly close to home. Highlights of the week was probably when little miss Shania leaned back and told me that she loved me. I had an awesome moment with one of the little boys, Jamel, he was upset cause one of hid classmates got onto him, but I was able to remind him how much we loved him, but also how much God loves him. These little ones are just precious. Now with that being said on friday they definitely took my smile away. I had to break up more fights than I can specifically remember. Three of the four boys in my class went to time out every class period. The crazy part though was to see changes in the kids. Many are either softening their hearts toward Jesus, or will ask random questions about Him. There are many moments when I am reminded of how important and awesome the ministry is down here. You'll have to call for more specific stories because I cant sit still long enough to write them all out
If you could please be in prayer for patience, the children are begining to change. They are no longer calm, its sorta like they have spring fever. Also if you could be in prayer that little alexis's heart would soften, that would be amazing. She needs Jesus so badly, it is crazy.
Thanks :)
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Even through the rain
This week has been mad, simply stark raving mad. To start off, we don't have internet at the house right now, so any updates will be questionable. Were sitting at Barnes and Noble though and I'm procrastinating working on stuff for tomorrow.
This week our team consists of summer missionaries and whoever is available. We all have taken a topic and are teaching for the week. I get to teach missions which is awesome because I get to talk about stuff I have studied for years and am very passionate about. Downside, I don't think I am meant to be a teacher. The middle schoolers were so cool, they were asking questions and really curious. The kindergarten boys decided to take their shirts off. (I was able to persuade them to not though, time out chair/ girls screaming is not as awesome as shirtless apparently.) Most of the day I couldn't help but laugh at some of the things they said. But I think it was a productive day. They really seemed to enjoy themselves and most seemed sort of interested. It was overall a hectic day and I currently feel like a 70 year old woman.
We actually stayed at the center till about 8 tonight, which was an incredibly long day, but it was sorta awesome. Because nothing was perfect nor comfortable, it was neat to see that God simply must have a plan. Ms Alice pointed out that He had given us the team we need and all of the skills required. So in a way I found this comforting because its not for us to make it prosper, its to us to do our best. Gods got it :) So this sense of comfort is worth all of the hard work. And the kids are delighted that we are their teachers.
On a delightful note, I got five letters in the mail today, and that simply made my day. They all were encouraging and simply comforting.
We got to work this morning and it was sunny. Since the center has no windows throughout the building, it was sorta depressing to come out to a downpour. But we blasted worship music on the way home, and it was cool. Even through the rain God brings sunshine :)
So yes, please be praying that all of the boys keep their shirts on tomorrow, and that I can represent South America as God wants it shown. Also please be praying that just God would use this mismatched week for his glory. And maybe a bit of patience on all the leaders part would be awesome too.
This week our team consists of summer missionaries and whoever is available. We all have taken a topic and are teaching for the week. I get to teach missions which is awesome because I get to talk about stuff I have studied for years and am very passionate about. Downside, I don't think I am meant to be a teacher. The middle schoolers were so cool, they were asking questions and really curious. The kindergarten boys decided to take their shirts off. (I was able to persuade them to not though, time out chair/ girls screaming is not as awesome as shirtless apparently.) Most of the day I couldn't help but laugh at some of the things they said. But I think it was a productive day. They really seemed to enjoy themselves and most seemed sort of interested. It was overall a hectic day and I currently feel like a 70 year old woman.
We actually stayed at the center till about 8 tonight, which was an incredibly long day, but it was sorta awesome. Because nothing was perfect nor comfortable, it was neat to see that God simply must have a plan. Ms Alice pointed out that He had given us the team we need and all of the skills required. So in a way I found this comforting because its not for us to make it prosper, its to us to do our best. Gods got it :) So this sense of comfort is worth all of the hard work. And the kids are delighted that we are their teachers.
On a delightful note, I got five letters in the mail today, and that simply made my day. They all were encouraging and simply comforting.
We got to work this morning and it was sunny. Since the center has no windows throughout the building, it was sorta depressing to come out to a downpour. But we blasted worship music on the way home, and it was cool. Even through the rain God brings sunshine :)
So yes, please be praying that all of the boys keep their shirts on tomorrow, and that I can represent South America as God wants it shown. Also please be praying that just God would use this mismatched week for his glory. And maybe a bit of patience on all the leaders part would be awesome too.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Time out
This past week has been a whirlwind, but we’ve been rather excited to know that we were about to have a week off.
Last night as we began our mini vacation, we got some big news and you could almost hear God smiling as Ms Alice told us. The team that was coming down to lead the week of July 12th through the 16th has canceled, but instead of canceling camp again, we are going to lead it. It turns out our week off will be spent preparing to lead the entire VBS for all 50 kids. Interestingly enough, God has been preparing us for leading because this past week, we led the middle school class. We each got practice in being in charge of a specific class time. We have no idea where our helpers will come from (cause lets face it, if it were only four of us there would be a mutiny..) but I do know that God will provide. We’ve already started asking around and looking at VBS material online. It now completely makes sense why there are four summer missionaries instead of the usual amount also. It seems that God had this in his plan the entire time. We shall have to see.
I do have three stories though from this week, and they both definitely got at my heart.
Two days ago Nichaela’s best friend came to vbs, interestingly enough his name is Daniel, he is white, and autistic. Nichaela would never guess that he is her complete opposite though, and even if she does she doesn’t care a bit. She proudly walked with us down the hallway and introduced him to all the leaders as her best friend. The sweetest thing though was after everyone was eating their snacks, she came up to me and asked for help finding the challenge question. She promptly told me that she had already found the answer, but wanted to find it for Daniel. So we sat down, looked up Noah and wrote Daniel’s name on the back. I don’t know if I have ever met a little girl this sweet and kind.
On a different note, yesterday at the pool we were talking to two of the girls when Lyndsie asked Tonajah what her shirt meant. It said “Set my daddy free” and “Little Miss Iron”. The little girl is incredibly sassy, but also precious. Tonajah told us that her dad is up in prision for 15 years, and then Nicheala told us that her daddy lived in a halfway house. I have really grown to love these girls, and I would love to see them grow up to still be as sweet as they are. It broke my heart because this just points out how broken their homes are. They are sweet and precious children, and I would never want to wish that on them. It definitely pointed out just how important our love can be in their lives.
On Friday I walked in to set up sound as I usually do, but this time, I had to be extra quiet. Many of the girls from Tifton were seated in a circle, praying for the upcoming day. It was encouraging to see their love for their savior, and also such caring hearts.
Over all God has used this week to demonstrate himself, and also his divine plan. If you have any prayer requests, please message me or something! God bless :)
Last night as we began our mini vacation, we got some big news and you could almost hear God smiling as Ms Alice told us. The team that was coming down to lead the week of July 12th through the 16th has canceled, but instead of canceling camp again, we are going to lead it. It turns out our week off will be spent preparing to lead the entire VBS for all 50 kids. Interestingly enough, God has been preparing us for leading because this past week, we led the middle school class. We each got practice in being in charge of a specific class time. We have no idea where our helpers will come from (cause lets face it, if it were only four of us there would be a mutiny..) but I do know that God will provide. We’ve already started asking around and looking at VBS material online. It now completely makes sense why there are four summer missionaries instead of the usual amount also. It seems that God had this in his plan the entire time. We shall have to see.
I do have three stories though from this week, and they both definitely got at my heart.
Two days ago Nichaela’s best friend came to vbs, interestingly enough his name is Daniel, he is white, and autistic. Nichaela would never guess that he is her complete opposite though, and even if she does she doesn’t care a bit. She proudly walked with us down the hallway and introduced him to all the leaders as her best friend. The sweetest thing though was after everyone was eating their snacks, she came up to me and asked for help finding the challenge question. She promptly told me that she had already found the answer, but wanted to find it for Daniel. So we sat down, looked up Noah and wrote Daniel’s name on the back. I don’t know if I have ever met a little girl this sweet and kind.
On a different note, yesterday at the pool we were talking to two of the girls when Lyndsie asked Tonajah what her shirt meant. It said “Set my daddy free” and “Little Miss Iron”. The little girl is incredibly sassy, but also precious. Tonajah told us that her dad is up in prision for 15 years, and then Nicheala told us that her daddy lived in a halfway house. I have really grown to love these girls, and I would love to see them grow up to still be as sweet as they are. It broke my heart because this just points out how broken their homes are. They are sweet and precious children, and I would never want to wish that on them. It definitely pointed out just how important our love can be in their lives.
On Friday I walked in to set up sound as I usually do, but this time, I had to be extra quiet. Many of the girls from Tifton were seated in a circle, praying for the upcoming day. It was encouraging to see their love for their savior, and also such caring hearts.
Over all God has used this week to demonstrate himself, and also his divine plan. If you have any prayer requests, please message me or something! God bless :)
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