So apparently this is more like a monthly blog rather than a bi-weekly! Things have been hectic around here. We finished up our first term (it went by sooo fast!), which was intense. I've realized making exams is almost as much work as actually taking the exams...maybe even more work! To wrap up the term, we took the kids to the nearby waterslides. Not only did I jump in there with them, I convinced the rest of the staff to get off their butts and into the water as well. We had so much fun. A great end to a great first term.
Besides being super busy, life here is awesome. Of course, like every other time in life, there are ups and downs. There are days I am on top of the world and days that I feel exhausted and lonely. But all in all, I can't express the peace I have in all of those times. Spending 40 - 50 hours a week with these kids is only getting better and better. As I build relationships with each student, I look forward to being here more and more. I find myself staying late, offering to do anything that means spending more time with them. I recently got to take 4 girls out to ice cream as a reward for having the cleanest cabin. We ended up sitting at the ice cream shop chatting for over an hour. I actually got a phone call asking if I was planning on returning the girls. We just got caught up as our conversation casually moved from silly girl talk to me sharing pieces of my life with them as they did the same in return. It is times like these, times when you see into their hearts, times when you get to share yours with them, times when you see God working that make me feel like I could stay forever (don't worry Mom, God hasn't changed the plan yet:).
I've realized that trying to share with you all of the things that I am thinking, seeing, feeling and experiencing is impossible. But God is moving and working, know that. I can feel myself changing, the way I look at life and people and the world. I am realizing more and more what it means to run the race set before you. I am understanding that you're either in the battle or you're not...there's no sitting on the sidelines. I am learning that it is all about God. It's not even about me a little bit. There is no logical explanation for me being here; there are no qualifications that I have met, no qualities that I possess, nothing that I have done to bring my life from where it was to where it is. And so God gets all the glory. Anything that I do here, any good that can possibly come from me is only from Him. Let me tell you, when you realize that, it takes a whoooole lot of pressure off! Especially when you don't know what the heck you're doing teaching teenagers in Africa! I'm learning a lot more too but I'll spare you all for now. That's just a taste. ;)
Please continue to pray for us over here. Pray for us as we
move into our new building this week! We've got a lot of work to do but it is very exciting. The new building is AMAZING. Please pray for the team from Rolling Hills that will be here in two weeks (including my sister!!!). Pray for our kids as they are home in Phillipi for their break...safety and wisdom! Also, one final thing I would appreciate prayer for. One of my oldest and best friends, Tamra, is getting married in May. Super exciting! I have been honored by being asked to be in the wedding, which consists of mostly family. I have been given the okay to take a couple days off and fly back home to be in it! Now, the only problem is coming up with a couple thousand dollars to buy a plane ticket! Normally I would work hard and save if there was something I wanted. This missionary life doesn't really allow for savings haha. So I am once again unable to do anything on my own, but rather turning to Jesus. Please pray that God provides this money. I have seen God be waaay too faithful to worry about this now. I know that he will come through, I just need your help praying.
A final word: my Xhosa is coming along quite nicely! The kids have begun to give me "exams" every week and I got 100% on my last test! The kids are LOVING that I am learning and it has really helped us bond further. So for now, sala kakuhle!
