Wow, yesterday was an Fun day in the new Computer English class. I walked 25 students through the process of turning on the computer, logging into the computer, logging off the computer, and shutting down the computer...twice. It was quite the process and we all cheered at the end of class. We all clapped and had huge smiles on our faces. We had accomplished something amazing!
It may sound funny to say that actually turning on a computer and walking through those processes could be something "amazing" but it was!
Some of these students are JUST learning English, some of them have NEVER turned on a laptop or computer...so, to all of us it was amazing!
Watching some of them after class was probably my favorite moments of yesterday...they were GLOWING! I am so thankful that I get to be used by God in this way everyday!
Please continue to pray for these students. Even though I am teaching computers, I want them to first and foremost see Jesus in this classroom. See him in ME. I want them to feel His love in this classroom filled with computers and desire to go after Him. Please pray that with me!
Have a great day and go find your own "amazing" moment today!
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Saturday, August 23, 2014
What I Miss...
I am sitting in my kitchen with the smell of mangos. I am in my running clothes but I haven't gone and won't be going running today. It was rainy here in Haiti yesterday so the streets are muddy right now. But, as I sit here I started thinking about the differences of the two worlds that I exist in. If you go for a walk/run here in Haiti you are NEVER alone. Everyone is out on the streets. They "live" outside. This summer while in the states I could go for a walk and never pass anyone, or maybe pass one or two other walkers who would quietly say, "good morning" and keep on going. Here in Haiti-not the case! When my friend and I go for our run together we are yelled at, greeted with someone who wants to run with us for a few seconds, honked at by taxis telling us to get out of their way...it is just LOUD. I MISS quiet morning walks in the states!
And yet, when I am in the states I miss the faces of my friends and just sweet people greeting me as I pass them.
There is always something to miss-no matter where I am. So thankful that God is never missing-He goes with me wherever I go!
We had such a GREAT summer...here are some of the moments we captured...
Fun with the cousins
Family picture in Branson
My two amazing sisters!
Again, fun with the cousins!!
One of my favorite people: Uncle Vernon
My brothers and my sister
Ethan and his cousin Cale...can't keep these two apart!
Trout fishin' with dad
Fun in Myrtle Beach
And yet, when I am in the states I miss the faces of my friends and just sweet people greeting me as I pass them.
There is always something to miss-no matter where I am. So thankful that God is never missing-He goes with me wherever I go!
We had such a GREAT summer...here are some of the moments we captured...
My mom and dad
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Home again, home again...
Wow, we are HOME! It was such a great summer and when I have time I will share with you some of the things God allowed us to do and experience while back in the states. He is GOOD! However, this is just an update to let everyone know we are home safe and HOT. We didn't have water most of the first day and night so that is always a little bit challenging but we are so thankful to be home.
I am sitting in my NEW classroom because this is where I have internet...none at the house. It is exciting to be starting something new.
Please keep us in your prayers as we start a new year. God has amazing things in store! I am ready to watch him work here in Haiti and so thankful that I get to be a part of it!
I am sitting in my NEW classroom because this is where I have internet...none at the house. It is exciting to be starting something new.
Please keep us in your prayers as we start a new year. God has amazing things in store! I am ready to watch him work here in Haiti and so thankful that I get to be a part of it!
Friday, May 23, 2014
An End and a Beginning
Wow, it is so hard to believe that we are finished with another year in Haiti! This year has been difficult and amazing all at the same time. God really taught us a lot this year in unexpected ways...it wasn't always easy going through the situations but it was such a blessing to see God's hand in everything!
God not only taught us a lot this year - he spoke too! For the last few months he has been speaking loudly. At the beginning of 2014 Scott mentioned to me that he wanted to start a computer program at SBC and said I should come help. I said I would pray about it but in the back of my mind I thought, "Yeah right...I think I am good as the fourth grade teacher." So in all honesty I didn't pray or think about it too much after that...until a couple of months ago. God started putting the thought in my head. I honestly started thinking about it more than I had ever wanted to. He continued to speak clearly and loudly so that I couldn't miss his message. I felt a peace that I could have never imagined. I never wanted to be anything but the fourth grade teacher.
Well, God has other plans. He has changed my focus and has allowed me to be excited about something other than 4th graders...he has been developing in me a passion for the college students and for computers. I don't know what God's "big" plan is but I do trust Him! And next year I am choosing to be faithful and work at SBC starting a new computer program. I will be helping in specific ways with the Academy still but no longer as the 4th grade teacher. I have such a peace about this decision that it feels weird sometimes to not be sad about stepping out of the role I have loved and enjoyed for a total of 7 years. All I can say is that God is guiding, directing and providing peace through this change.
So, next year I will be teaching at SBC to start a computer program for theology students as well as for the community here in Port de Paix. I am excited to see what God is going to do through this program and through me. Please keep us in your prayers as this will be a big change for our family and our ministry here in Haiti.
God not only taught us a lot this year - he spoke too! For the last few months he has been speaking loudly. At the beginning of 2014 Scott mentioned to me that he wanted to start a computer program at SBC and said I should come help. I said I would pray about it but in the back of my mind I thought, "Yeah right...I think I am good as the fourth grade teacher." So in all honesty I didn't pray or think about it too much after that...until a couple of months ago. God started putting the thought in my head. I honestly started thinking about it more than I had ever wanted to. He continued to speak clearly and loudly so that I couldn't miss his message. I felt a peace that I could have never imagined. I never wanted to be anything but the fourth grade teacher.
Well, God has other plans. He has changed my focus and has allowed me to be excited about something other than 4th graders...he has been developing in me a passion for the college students and for computers. I don't know what God's "big" plan is but I do trust Him! And next year I am choosing to be faithful and work at SBC starting a new computer program. I will be helping in specific ways with the Academy still but no longer as the 4th grade teacher. I have such a peace about this decision that it feels weird sometimes to not be sad about stepping out of the role I have loved and enjoyed for a total of 7 years. All I can say is that God is guiding, directing and providing peace through this change.
So, next year I will be teaching at SBC to start a computer program for theology students as well as for the community here in Port de Paix. I am excited to see what God is going to do through this program and through me. Please keep us in your prayers as this will be a big change for our family and our ministry here in Haiti.
Monday, May 5, 2014
4th Grade Highlight
When I ask my old students what they remember most about being in my fourth grade class the most common answer is...THE OVERNIGHTER! Every year I have an overnighter for my students to celebrate the year and it is definitely the highlight!
I think it is a highlight for me as well! Even though I am extremely tired the next day, that night has given me so many memories!
The night is filled with games, food, and lots of laughter but my favorite part is our time on the roof. Each year I take the kids up on the roof of the school just before the stars come out. We have a time of worship, a time of prayer, a time of remembering the year (good and bad and silly)...it's a time that brings us closer together. Every year, that is always my favorite part.
This night is a night where my students get to just be kids. All of them don't come from homes where they get to just be a kid for a whole night. They don't have to clean or do chores...their only responsibility is to have fun and they are good at it! I fall in love with them even more during the course of this night because their true selves come out and some of them are just down right funny! They don't complain about anything! This time we had some major issues with the TV...tried two and neither worked. They didn't complain at all!
My students amaze me during this night! They SHARE everything, HELP everyone, and LAUGH with their whole body! I love watching them be KIDS!
I think it is a highlight for me as well! Even though I am extremely tired the next day, that night has given me so many memories!
The night is filled with games, food, and lots of laughter but my favorite part is our time on the roof. Each year I take the kids up on the roof of the school just before the stars come out. We have a time of worship, a time of prayer, a time of remembering the year (good and bad and silly)...it's a time that brings us closer together. Every year, that is always my favorite part.
This night is a night where my students get to just be kids. All of them don't come from homes where they get to just be a kid for a whole night. They don't have to clean or do chores...their only responsibility is to have fun and they are good at it! I fall in love with them even more during the course of this night because their true selves come out and some of them are just down right funny! They don't complain about anything! This time we had some major issues with the TV...tried two and neither worked. They didn't complain at all!
Saturday, April 26, 2014
What's happening in Haiti?
What's happened lately?
1. Prayer Walk
I went on a prayer walk with my GWAP girls (6th grade Bible Study). Wow, it was awesome! It was fun to see the girls in their element and with their families. One of my girls practically takes care of herself...I learned a lot about my girls that day! We walked to their homes and prayed over the home and the people inside it! It was eye opening and I have lived here a long time. Please pray for these girls...they want to live out what they believe to be true and yet they have the opposite being shown to them in so many ways...it's hard to ignore. Please pray they live out the truth of God and not what they see and hear all around them. Some of these girls are told that they are no good and worthless, ugly and not wanted...pray they will choose to hear God's words to them, "you are loved, beautiful, accepted and MINE!"
2. BreakOut
This is our high school conference during our spring break. I helped lead worship and it was so much fun. I haven't sang like that in a LONG time. I miss it! The kids had a great time and two of our high schoolers were baptized. It was a great week! Please pray that God will continue to work in their hearts!
3. Relaxed (kind of) on the island
The first day of break the boys and I traveled on a sailboat with about 40 others to the island about 5 miles away. It took us about 3 hours to get there but it was beautiful! Definitely the prettiest beach I have been to. The water was like a glowing aqua near the white sand...pictures and words can't describe! God has quite the eye for beauty! I love it! Scott wasn't able to come...he has been grading papers. The seniors at the Bible College have to write a senior thesis paper so he has been very busy ready and grading.
1. Prayer Walk
I went on a prayer walk with my GWAP girls (6th grade Bible Study). Wow, it was awesome! It was fun to see the girls in their element and with their families. One of my girls practically takes care of herself...I learned a lot about my girls that day! We walked to their homes and prayed over the home and the people inside it! It was eye opening and I have lived here a long time. Please pray for these girls...they want to live out what they believe to be true and yet they have the opposite being shown to them in so many ways...it's hard to ignore. Please pray they live out the truth of God and not what they see and hear all around them. Some of these girls are told that they are no good and worthless, ugly and not wanted...pray they will choose to hear God's words to them, "you are loved, beautiful, accepted and MINE!"
2. BreakOut
This is our high school conference during our spring break. I helped lead worship and it was so much fun. I haven't sang like that in a LONG time. I miss it! The kids had a great time and two of our high schoolers were baptized. It was a great week! Please pray that God will continue to work in their hearts!
3. Relaxed (kind of) on the island
The first day of break the boys and I traveled on a sailboat with about 40 others to the island about 5 miles away. It took us about 3 hours to get there but it was beautiful! Definitely the prettiest beach I have been to. The water was like a glowing aqua near the white sand...pictures and words can't describe! God has quite the eye for beauty! I love it! Scott wasn't able to come...he has been grading papers. The seniors at the Bible College have to write a senior thesis paper so he has been very busy ready and grading.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
My son is sitting on the couch!
So thankful Cameron is sitting on the couch! All day he has been lying on the bathroom floor or in his bed. He hasn't been feeling well today!
As I said in the last blog, I have been trying to find the blessing/gift in each moment. All of today's moments have allowed me to spend some more one on one time with Ethan...we made bracelets (thanks Danielle for the bracelet maker). We played bounce potatoe (Ethan's new made up game), made breakfast together, watched Frozen together, and right now he is sitting on my hip beside me playing MineCraft while I do a little work on the computer. I have also had the blessing of just sitting with Cameron and comforting him. He blessed me by making this comment, "A lot of children don't get to have parents like me." It is on days like this that I am reminded how much I love these two sweet gifts God has given to me! Thank you, God!
As I said in the last blog, I have been trying to find the blessing/gift in each moment. All of today's moments have allowed me to spend some more one on one time with Ethan...we made bracelets (thanks Danielle for the bracelet maker). We played bounce potatoe (Ethan's new made up game), made breakfast together, watched Frozen together, and right now he is sitting on my hip beside me playing MineCraft while I do a little work on the computer. I have also had the blessing of just sitting with Cameron and comforting him. He blessed me by making this comment, "A lot of children don't get to have parents like me." It is on days like this that I am reminded how much I love these two sweet gifts God has given to me! Thank you, God!
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