"Repentence is not what we do in order to earn forgiveness; it is what we do because we have been forgiven. It serves as an expression of gratitude rather than an effort to earn forgiveness."
- Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
The Final Stretch
I have just concluded my last "off" weekend this summer. Our final two week team arrived yesterday and when they leave we will have a brief six hour break before the final group arrives for just one week. It is absurd to believe that eight and a half weeks have already passed and in another three and a half I'll be home (what?!).
This last outreach went well. God took some time to teach me about patience. One day the kids were just really misbehaving and not putting forth the effort I know they are capable of. As I was getting frustrated, I realized God must feel this way all the time as He watches us fail to do what we know is right or as He has to teach us the same lessons again and again. And despite all of my frustrations I truly love these kids and want the best for them - so how much more must God love us! I am special to God in the same way these kids are special to me, and I mean that in both senses of the word "special."
"The challenge to grow and the grace to fail" is a quote I read this week by Judson Morgan describing the theater I was a part of at school. I think it pleases God to put us in circumstances where we feel "the challenge to grow and the grace to fail." God has done that for me here in the DR as I am pushed to learn more, yet surrounded by a wonderful, supportive community.
I also got to practice patience as Taúmi did not want to follow instructions one day; she was more interested in playing in the swing. I held her as she continued to scream, cry, and squirm in attempts to get to the swing. She made herself so upset that she even threw up a little. However, God is good and rewards us as we stick it out through some of these difficult situations. Taúmi is learning to follow directions and that she can't just do everything her own way. Her tantrums are getting shorter each time and she is becoming a more willing participant. Praise God for the work He is doing in these kids lives.
On a lighter note, one of the kids, Daniel, was playing dead on the porch where we were all eating lunch. So Angelica, another little girl, ran over to give him "CPR" and was pressing on his stomach. On one of the repetitions, she managed to squeeze a fart out of him! Sorry for the crude humor, but it was one of the most hilarious things that has happened at school! All of us teachers were practically rolling on the ground we were laughing so hard.
"But God does not take away life; instead, he devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from him." - 2 Samuel 14:14
This last outreach went well. God took some time to teach me about patience. One day the kids were just really misbehaving and not putting forth the effort I know they are capable of. As I was getting frustrated, I realized God must feel this way all the time as He watches us fail to do what we know is right or as He has to teach us the same lessons again and again. And despite all of my frustrations I truly love these kids and want the best for them - so how much more must God love us! I am special to God in the same way these kids are special to me, and I mean that in both senses of the word "special."
"The challenge to grow and the grace to fail" is a quote I read this week by Judson Morgan describing the theater I was a part of at school. I think it pleases God to put us in circumstances where we feel "the challenge to grow and the grace to fail." God has done that for me here in the DR as I am pushed to learn more, yet surrounded by a wonderful, supportive community.
I also got to practice patience as Taúmi did not want to follow instructions one day; she was more interested in playing in the swing. I held her as she continued to scream, cry, and squirm in attempts to get to the swing. She made herself so upset that she even threw up a little. However, God is good and rewards us as we stick it out through some of these difficult situations. Taúmi is learning to follow directions and that she can't just do everything her own way. Her tantrums are getting shorter each time and she is becoming a more willing participant. Praise God for the work He is doing in these kids lives.
On a lighter note, one of the kids, Daniel, was playing dead on the porch where we were all eating lunch. So Angelica, another little girl, ran over to give him "CPR" and was pressing on his stomach. On one of the repetitions, she managed to squeeze a fart out of him! Sorry for the crude humor, but it was one of the most hilarious things that has happened at school! All of us teachers were practically rolling on the ground we were laughing so hard.
"But God does not take away life; instead, he devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from him." - 2 Samuel 14:14
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Faith Journey
My roommate from last fall just sent me this quote. As I ponder "what's next" (and I know I'm not alone in this inquiry), I thought it seemed particularly applicable:
"Living a life of faith means never knowing where you are being led. But it does mean loving and knowing the one who is leading. It is literally a life of faith, not of understanding and reason - a life of knowing Him who calls us to go. Faith is rooted in the knowledge of a person and one of the biggest traps we fall into is the belief that if we have faith, God will surely lead us to success in the world."
- Oswald Chambers
"Living a life of faith means never knowing where you are being led. But it does mean loving and knowing the one who is leading. It is literally a life of faith, not of understanding and reason - a life of knowing Him who calls us to go. Faith is rooted in the knowledge of a person and one of the biggest traps we fall into is the belief that if we have faith, God will surely lead us to success in the world."
- Oswald Chambers
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Answered Prayer
Sometimes when we pray God says, "yes"
Sometimes when we pray God says, "wait"
And sometimes God says, "no," but it's only because He loves us
But God always answers our prayers
- A song we sing in the preschool classroom :)
Looking back over my various prayer requests, I am blown away to see they way God has really answered them.
Before the last outreach, I asked for your prayers that I would not fall into the rut of routine and that I could continue to find newness in everyday. It was a wonderful outreach and this truly seemed to happen. The things that were old had new life to them and somehow I ended up on a number of new adventures. For example, we were in town buying some groceries when suddenly our car was needed to pick up a group of students. Since there would not be enough room in the car for all of us, I hung out at the ice cream shop in hopes that they would someday return. I really enjoyed having my own little solo adventure and having the chance to slow down and people-watch for a little bit. Another day, a teacher at SI's preschool in Los Higos was sick, so based on my experience there last fall, I was elected to go fill in for the day. It was a ton of fun to get back to Los Higos and see a bunch of people, have lunch with my Mamá again, and to try something different. It seemed like these sorts of things were happening all outreach.
I also asked for you all to pray for Génesis, a new student in my classroom who was having a difficult time adjusting. She is doing so well now! She no longer cries throughout the day and is participating more and more in class. What a darling Génesis is and it is cool to see her gain increasing mobility with a walker. As she gets older and gains a little more balance and coordination, she will likely be able to walk without assistance.
In case I hadn't mentioned it, Angie, the lead teacher in my classroom, did in fact get her visa and is in Utah now for an English immersion program. Lordis and I have taken charge of the class and have learned well how to work together and keep track of all our little munchkins. In addition to Angie making it to the States, all of our teams have made it back and forth from the DR with no major issues.
Praise God for all of the amazing things He has done and for answering so many prayers. God has been so good throughout the first three outreaches and I know He will continue to be faithful through the last three. Please continue praying with me as I am considering coming on full-time staff with Students International and waiting for God's response.
"Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart" - Psalm 86:11
Sometimes when we pray God says, "wait"
And sometimes God says, "no," but it's only because He loves us
But God always answers our prayers
- A song we sing in the preschool classroom :)
Looking back over my various prayer requests, I am blown away to see they way God has really answered them.
Before the last outreach, I asked for your prayers that I would not fall into the rut of routine and that I could continue to find newness in everyday. It was a wonderful outreach and this truly seemed to happen. The things that were old had new life to them and somehow I ended up on a number of new adventures. For example, we were in town buying some groceries when suddenly our car was needed to pick up a group of students. Since there would not be enough room in the car for all of us, I hung out at the ice cream shop in hopes that they would someday return. I really enjoyed having my own little solo adventure and having the chance to slow down and people-watch for a little bit. Another day, a teacher at SI's preschool in Los Higos was sick, so based on my experience there last fall, I was elected to go fill in for the day. It was a ton of fun to get back to Los Higos and see a bunch of people, have lunch with my Mamá again, and to try something different. It seemed like these sorts of things were happening all outreach.
I also asked for you all to pray for Génesis, a new student in my classroom who was having a difficult time adjusting. She is doing so well now! She no longer cries throughout the day and is participating more and more in class. What a darling Génesis is and it is cool to see her gain increasing mobility with a walker. As she gets older and gains a little more balance and coordination, she will likely be able to walk without assistance.
In case I hadn't mentioned it, Angie, the lead teacher in my classroom, did in fact get her visa and is in Utah now for an English immersion program. Lordis and I have taken charge of the class and have learned well how to work together and keep track of all our little munchkins. In addition to Angie making it to the States, all of our teams have made it back and forth from the DR with no major issues.
Praise God for all of the amazing things He has done and for answering so many prayers. God has been so good throughout the first three outreaches and I know He will continue to be faithful through the last three. Please continue praying with me as I am considering coming on full-time staff with Students International and waiting for God's response.
"Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart" - Psalm 86:11
Friday, July 1, 2011
Leadership
As we come to the close of our third outreach this summer, it has become apparent to me that leadership greatly impacts a team. As I reflect on the various teams that have come through here, I can see that the aims of the leaders are reflected in the aims of the students. Servant-hearted leaders have servant-hearted students, etc. This makes me grateful for the fact that we have such an amazing Leader, Jesus Christ, to set the example for us and teach us the right way to live. If we can follow Him, hopefully we can reflect His heart to those around us as well.
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
- Philippians 2:1-2
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
- Philippians 2:1-2
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)