Red dirt, white socks, and new books

In the land of red dirt, Monday morning anticipation was high as forty-eight children woke up and forty-eight children put on maroon and white checkered uniforms, freshly pressed white shirts, gray trousers or skirt, white socks and black shoes. They made sure their hair was in order, they had their snack and they were off. Many did not walk far because they live on the same compound as the school. Some walked a mile and even some came on motor bike.  All different ages from three to twenty- four. Some do not know English, some it is their first time in this school, and yet some it is their first time EVER in a school. Forty-eight children sat in the assembly and met their teachers and other pupils. The first day of school went as most first days of school. Crying pre-schoolers, because they miss their parents. Screaming pre-schoolers, because they saw a toilet flush for the first time in their life(they were afraid they would get sucked down). Lunch time came and the children went home to process the events of the day. That afternoon teachers discussed time table mess-ups and number of pencils needed. I would say that the first day of school was a success.

Praise the Lord! We have entered into our second year of school as Emmanuel Christian Academy. Praise the Lord! We went from twenty-two students last year to forty-eight students this year. Praise the Lord! We found a pre-school teacher just in time for the first day of school. Praise the Lord! We have gone from two secondary students to seven. Praise the Lord! We are getting so big now that we need a whole other building. We are using rooms for classrooms that are not supposed to be classrooms. God is good, God is faithful, and God has a master plan for our school.

This year we have senior 1, senior 2, and senior 3 in the secondary school- which, roughly translates as 8^th, 9^th, and 10^th grades.  The next two terms I will be teaching history, geography, business studies, and computer for all of secondary. I also am teaching study skills/library media, which I am actually really excited about. This all translates into nine different preps. Fun, right?!

Please, continue to pray for ECA. We still do not have all of our textbooks; they haven’t arrived yet. Some teachers do not even have one copy of their textbook.  We also are still in need of another primary teacher and another secondary science teacher.  We have two students that are adults, one is 21 and the other 24, please pray for them as they have a lot of challenges ahead of them. We have fifteen brand new pre-school students and most of them do not speak English. Please, pray for these students as they are scared and this will be a tough adjustment and please be with their teacher as she is also new herself. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for ECA this year! 

It's been a while...

I apologize for not posting in while. I have written, just not posted, so here are some of my old writings, but new to you!

January 1, 2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! This year holidays have been a little different, because although I love living in Africa it is still a little strange to be away from family and friends. Yesterday, I was discussing with friends of what we all did last New Years and to be quite honest I can't really remember. I do remember, however, that I had gotten really sick. This year I had the awesome opportunity to hang out with a lot of people I didn't know and some I did. We had someone from Australia, Ireland, Sudan, Canada, and about seven from the United States. It was so much fun talking and getting to know each one of these people. We experienced bringing the new year in together. This year we are all going to have different struggles, different celebrations, different surprises, and different experiences. I'm so thankful that I got have that night with all of my new friends.

January 3, 2010

There are new words I pick up every day and one new word that I have had the privilege of using for the last month is “holiday”.  Holiday in British English means vacation. I began my holiday over twenty days ago. I was excited for this break and the chance to see friends and experience different ministries. I have learned so much in the last month from my holiday, but the one thing I have learned the most is the point. What is the point of a holiday? Since it is the Christmas season I was listening to one of my favorite Christmas cd’s by Shane and Shane.  One of the songs that caught my attention is “Holiday”. I have posted the lyrics below. The main theme is that Christ should be our holiday. Now in the song they are actually talking about holiday as in celebration and I am talking about vacation, but I think they can go hand in hand. Plus, I’m the one learning the lesson. The point of a vacation is a break, a hideaway from reality and the hecticness of everyday life. So, I have learned that as I was taking not only a break from my reality in Sudan I was taking a break from the reality of Christ in my life. I was taking a break from being intentional with God, taking a break from seeking after Him and sitting at His feet. I was reminded that just about a year ago I had learned that, just like the song says, “… you are the favorite part of me”, that God had taught me that he does dwell richly in me, therefore, making everything about me about Him. Ok, so now the goal is to get back to that. I can safely say that my “holiday” from my reality of Christ is over and I  am trying to be intentional in calling out His name and making Him my hideaway!

You are my holiday
You are right in the middle of me
You are my hideaway
You are home

I’m calling out your name 
Oh my holiday
You make my heart new
And I love you!
What it is I’m trying to say
Is you are my favorite part of me

January 8, 2010
Beauty in its fullest extent. The cool crisp morning breeze, the rushing sound of water over the Nile rapids.  Many different types of birds flying to and fro trying to find breakfast, using song to bring in the morning, Monkeys jumping around, not staying still long enough to actually see one, but you know they are there. True sounds of peaceful relaxation in the midst of God's beautiful creation. Three men paddling against the current of the Nile river in three separate canoes probably trying to fish.  A small group of women across the river sitting together.  I can not help and wonder and hope do those women, do those three men see God in this beautiful creation they live in.  Do they see the power yet delicacy in His hands as they look at the landscape, do they hear the gentle whisper of His voice in the current of the river or the His strength in the rapids? I am remind of Romans 10:14-15. These verses are a huge challenge to me every single day. Is my life reflecting this to those around me?