God Blesses Dependence

Let me continue the story that was left from last blog entry about the workshop. Yes I texted Karlene saying that the workshop was going great and to keep praying. I partly did that so she would not worry, I was not sure the workshop was going that well. But i did have a confidence that God was truly going to do more without my dependence on the DVD series, instead total dependence on Him.

Karlene was able to get the bag to me for the second day of the workshop, but I ended up not using the DVD’s. I tried to start with it, but saw looks on the faces of the teachers that told me to switch it off, so after 2 minutes, I did. I now had a textbook and workbook to use as well. These served me well in some aspects, but the workshop did not flow as well, as I would pause and look through the material instead of speaking from what I remembered. I can now see that it is very important that a presenter had best memorize the topic well enough that you don’t even have to look at the notes. It makes it flow and has a better feel to it. I am sure I forgot things that may have been important or interesting, but in the end, I learned that it is better for the presenter to speak what he or she knows very well.

One topic that came up that I didn’t want to speak about much was corporal punishment, but a certain teacher did not want to let it go. Teachers don’t feel that they should let it go, but it is MCC policy that the stick or cane is not to be used if they want to embrace the Peace Clubs. It is also against government laws as well, unless the principal administers it. After a too lengthy discussion, we moved on, but I did not feel anything good came of it. I was proved wrong when a teacher later shared she had been challenged by my views and would refrain from using “beating” as part of her discipline plan.
I can now testify that the workshop was the best one that I have had so far. The teacher response at the end was very encouraging. We had a brief time of sharing and teachers said they had been revived, challenged and learned a lot. Their were a few with tears in their eyes. They wanted to know how to love the students when their are so many in a class that they hardly know their names (even Gr. 1 has up to 68 in one class). I was hard pressed to give an answer, but did say that what I think is required of us is to do our very best in all that we do, to show love to the students by preparing lessons with all their hearts, by treating students the way that Jesus would, and pray that the Holy Spirit would help them see opportunities to touch students’ lives.

I have another workshop tomorrow. I am recovering from Malaria that I was feeling the effects of at the end of the other workshop, so I pray that again, God will do more than I can ask or imagine in this workshop. Please keep me in your prayers.

God Works Through Weakness (or forgetfulness)

This morning Anthony travelled out to do a workshop at a place that is about 2 hours away from our home. He's staying there overnight. Anyways, he left early this morning to get there in time for the 9 am start time. At 7:40 when I came back home from dropping the kids off at school, I was made sick to see his backpack still beside the door. I opened it up and found all his notes, books and DVD's that he uses to put on this workshop. I realized that it meant he had nothing to use for his two day workshop. I felt physically ill and called him to see where he was and if he realized that he had forgotten his bag.

He thought he had it and was upset when I told him it was still home. But he was too far to turn around and come back for it. Then we got cut off. I tried to text him to ask if he wanted me to see if our neighbours would let me borrow their truck and drive into Choma (half way to his workshop) to drop his bag off there for him to try and get during the lunch break. He called me back when he was in a service area again and said, that I didn't need to bring it, that he was mad at first but now he was calm and just had a peace that God was going to work despite the circumstances. He laughed and said, just because you couldn't do this doesn't mean that I can't. I laughed too because that's exactly what I was thinking when I saw his bag! My first thought was if this was me going to do a workshop and I had left my bag at home with my notes I would be a basket case!!!!! And here's my hubby calm and at peace that God was going to make a way. He did tell me to pray and pray I did! :-)

It was neat to hear later today that Dad and Mom's bible study group had been lead to pray for Anthony last night and today and then they called to see how the day went. Anyway, then I went over to Tracy's and asked if I could use her truck and said I would understand if she said no. But she said yes without hesitation and said it's just a truck! I was amazed and as we talked, she said we could go into Choma together. (She's without her hubby like I am only for more days than me) She thought it would be good to get out of Macha for a bit. So, I went and made provisions for the kids incase we didn't make it back by 13 hours when school is out and then we headed into Choma.

I dropped Anthony's bag off for it to be picked up and taken to him (and he now has it) and then Tracy wondered if we had time to go for lunch together. I said that sounded really good and that I realized now being in Choma that I hadn't been out of Macha for over 2 months and no wonder I was starting to go a bit stir crazy! So we checked with Sue at the school and she said she'd look after my kids and then we went and had a lovely lunch, did a little bit of shopping and headed home! What a lovely morning! We talked non stop there and back and it was just so good to be with a friend and get out of Macha and have a break from mom stuff and yeah.....it was just a good morning. She thanked me after we got home for getting her out of the house and I thanked her for being so willling to give of her time to help me/Anth out. I'm going to miss them when they move April 15th. :-(

Then I went and picked up my kiddies who were fine, went and talked to their teachers and heard good reports about them both. Then we came home and the kids ate a really late lunch and then I felt like treating them for the good reports from school so we made popcorn and watched a movie! While we were watching my parents called and we chatted and while I was on the phone with them I got a text from Anthony saying, "Went great! Praise God, keep praying!" How exciting! I shared it with my parents and neither of us could speak for a bit because we were just awed at the way God works when the situation seems impossible or terrible! :-) (At least in my eyes it did :-)

What a great day! God's just once again proved His goodness and faithfulness and I'm so thankful! My faith is being stretched and it's good!
Thanks so much for your prayers! They are so necessary and so needed!

Down but not out.

Josiah is hacking, sniffing and tired. Keyana is stuffed up and has a deep throaty cough. Now I find out that Grandpa Peters passed away. He was very ready to go, so in a way, I am glad for him. He is going to be loving it on that side of heaven! I would have gone to the funeral if I was there, to celebrate the life of a man who lived a long, faithful life.

But for us left here, we medicate, soupinate and restibit as much as we can for our kids. It is always draining as parents when the kids are sick, they are more whiny and helpless than normal. We need to celebrate the times we can share here. Today I gave the kids a bag of dirt as a gift. Keyana thought it was chocolate so put a small piece in her mouth when I was trying to get a container for them to examine the gift more closely. In the end her taste test was all she needed to conclude the present wasn't good. The point was an object lesson - when we get rudeness, back talk or disobedience, it is like getting a bag of dirt when we really wanted a gift of polite, obedient and honoring talk. So when we hear another dishonoring someone, we will say that we don't want your dirt around here! After brushing Keyana's teeth, we did have a gift the kids could get excited about, they shared a pop. We hope and pray that this will be one sweet and dirty lesson the kids will remember!

It is Friday!! Well I am not sure that is exciting as that seems at first thought. Not much changes around here. At least I don't have any appointments this weekend, so it means lots of time to spend with the kids and Karlene.

Yesterday we had a Bible study with two of our new friends, they live in the house across from us. Youngsters, both around 25, just beginning their careers. We had a very good time chatting, and it has been amazing to us how easily we have all opened up to each other. It was agreed that we all appreciated that about each other, openess and honesty about how we are doing spiritually, as well as other struggles.

One thing we discussed is our term which is coming to an end by July 28th. We have been asked to consider extending our term and this is very difficult for us, or at least I feel that way. We have already been accepted by another mission organization, since last October. So we are praying, and ask that you pray as well. We need God to guide us in this - I have people almost weekly asking if we will stay longer, as they also realize our time is coming to an end soon.

Feels like we must be making a positive impact if that is what the local people are saying. Praise the Lord, it is all him, and he moves through me in my weakness.

Preaching

I was asked to speak in church last week. I said yes without thinking about it. I realized later that I had a workshop that week, and would only have 3 days to prepare. God knew I needed more time so he caused the workshop to be postponed. I was working on it off and on, did not know what to speak on, did not want to speak on the topic that kept coming to my head (parenting) as I often feel inadequate myself. So I did what I do in these situations, opened up the Bible to one of Paul's letters and started reading. I soon had an idea, prayed about it, and it developed. When I was finished, I had a sermon on parenting! Hmmm. At least it wasn't on disciplining children, I definitely did not want to talk about that! Well, when I got up to preach, I looked at my notes once in a while, but did not use them much in the end. I left out several pages and talked in more detail about surrender! But the focus was on surrender as parents, children and a church as to how God can use us to build up children.

This may sound haphazard, but it seemed to really connect and flow on Sunday. Karlene told me that several ladies had told her on Monday that they had really enjoyed the sermon, that people had been talking about it that afternoon for some time. Parenting is a hot topic for them. What this has taught me is that it is good to prepare for a sermon, but when giving it, don't depend on the notes, depend on the Holy Spirit to give words as you speak. I praise Him for empowering me so that it was helpful to some. Praise the Lord!!