Yesterday, Shannon was sick again and so I had to teach the class alone again. I didn’t mind though. It was really fun especially since it was Thursday so that meant no Kindergarteners. Don’t get me wrong, I love the kindergarteners, but trying to teach both kindergarten and first grade at the same time is a little difficult. So, that makes Tuesdays and Thursdays a lot easier. Anyways, I had a great day yesterday. I taught the bible lesson on both Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday, I talked about David and how he was a shepherd. I correlated that to how Jesus is our shepherd and we are his sheep. Then, on Thursday, I asked them what I had talked about on Wednesday and all of them could tell me, in detail, what we discussed and how we should follow Jesus as our guide so that we do not stumble. It was incredible! It was such a great feeling to know that God spoke to these kids and allowed them to remember it and He used me as a part of it. The faith of a child—it’s so incredible to witness. They love to sing praise songs to Jesus and they love shouting out what they’ve learned. They’re happy to talk about God. They love to tell you all they’ve learned and why God is so important to them… I think it’s time I examine myself. Is my faith that of a child’s?
I’m reading The Reason for God. I think I had mentioned that before, but this time I actually know what the book is about since I’m further into it. I love it! The first half is all about the seven biggest reasons people don’t believe in God. The author uses logic and reasoning behind why skeptics refutes are out of line with their disbelief in God. It’s really quite something and the way the author disqualifies the skeptic’s views is admirable because he doesn’t degrade them and tear them down, he respectfully examines all sides of the issue at hand. It’s hard to really explain and it’s not an easy read that’s for sure, but I think it’s worth reading. Timothy Keller, the author , writes very well and makes some great points as to why the reasons some people don’t believe aren’t even good reasons because it can apply to any religious or nonreligious group. (Example: Christians are exclusive. Keller responds with something like, “So is every other group with a belief.” He says more and in a nicer way.) Anyways, good book. Just read it. It’s easier to read than explain it.
Today, we had a bible lesson with all the kids at school (usually we just teach our own grades, except Fridays, everyone gets together). Shannon was feeling much better today so she came to school and said she prepared a lesson for the kids. It turned out amazing! The kids loved it and we all got a great laugh at the students acting out the Garden of Eden scene in Genesis. The older kids all volunteered to be a part of it which made the littler kids love it. We had a tree, the serpent, Adam, and Eve. The guy who played the serpent tried to talk like a snake then Adam and Eve tried their best high pitch and low pitch voices. And the tree was funny because he kept hitting the serpent in the face. Anyways, it was hysterical. Probably had to have been there though lol.
Now, for a bunch of random, short updates:
We have played soccer every day for an hour at school and I can say I am honestly sick of it lol but I love playing with the kids so I don’t stop playing. And, I’m getting pretty good. Watch out Women’s Professional Soccer Team, I’ve played with Haitians.
I am getting over my homesickness completely. I love it here and I am so happy God allowed me to be a part of this incredible plan He has unfolding here. Wednesday of this coming week, a team of college kids are coming in for a week. Thursday this coming week, a med student is coming and staying until June 30th. Woo people my own age!!! Then when that team leaves, another team comes in the day after they leave. And teams come and go, some overlapping, until July 8th. I leave July 6th, so starting Wednesday, I’m going to be so busy. I’ll be their hostess and go with them everywhere. That includes going to the beach with all the teams for the next four Saturdays. Dang. I hate being hostess ;) Needless to say, I’m really stoked! We will be doing radio evangelism and putting on VBS at churches.. It’s going to be great!
Also, I wanted to make a shout out to Emily Brooks. Thank you so much for the “No Spiders” Shoe, it has come in handy a lot. Thanks girl!
Laura Westercamp and Ali Salman. Please forgive me. I was a little worried that I wasn’t getting comments from you two. You’re my best friends and so I was hoping for a little support from you guys. Let me explain because both of you are giving me support and I am so thankful for that! My blog decided that it would be fun not to send me some of the comments on my blog. So, since I can’t get my blog to load very often down here, I was only receiving the comments that got sent to my email, none of which were either of yours. At first, I thought, “For sure something is wrong.” But then I kept posting and still got nothing from the two of you, or so I thought. I got on last night on my blog and sure enough, I had a lot more comments that I wasn’t getting to my email. Sorry I doubted your support. I love you two and you mean so much to me! Thank you for commenting and for supporting me and for all the encouragement you two have shown me.
For the rest of you, I have gotten most of the other comments to my email, but my blog should load more often so I will be able to check the comments at least three or four times a week so I will be getting all of them now. Thank you everyone for the support and the comments. Keep them coming! They are so very encouraging. God is speaking through you all to me through the comments and it’s helping me see why I’m here. Thank you.
Another small update, I’m sleeping well every night. If you didn’t know, I always have a hard time sleeping, even at home. God knows I need the rest and He provides every night. It’s amazing.
Also, I assumed every kid at the school I teach at would be bilingual. They aren’t. Most of the students only speak English, but they’re all Haitians. I thought it was interesting and thought I’d share..
I’ve been able to run three or four times a week here and it’s great. I told you all that I have to run early, but it’s been good. Since I have to be done running by 6am but I don’t have to be ready for school until 7:30am, it gives me time in the morning to spend with God. I think that’s really helped me grow and trust in Him though out the day. Especially because I turn to Him in the morning and it reminds me to turn to Him during the day as well.
Two more things to update. Sorry this is so long. (So much for the short part of the random, short updates.)
Wednesday night was Prayer group meeting with the missionaries on the compound. We did a bible study over Ephesians 1:16-23. Every word of it is what I pray for you all who support me every day. It says, “I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayer. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparable great power for us who believe…” I didn’t type it all out, but you get it. I’m so thankful for you all. I mean it.
Lastly, the Dennington’s arrived yesterday afternoon to the compound. They are who I will be living with from now until the end of the trip. So, I have now moved four times (the last time was just rooms, but nonetheless, I moved), but I am now here to stay. No more repacking and unpacking. Yay!
That’s it. Sorry it was so long, but I thought it was all either fun or necessary to say. Oh, one more thing. Good luck, Daddy, on your marathon on Sunday. Kick butt! I know you’re going to do great! Say hi to the Pacific Ocean for me (I really hope that’s the Pacific next to California). I love you!