On Thursday I was able to go into my classroom for a few hours to try to get some work done. There is a lot to do in that room! They painted this summer, so the furniture is all over the place. I am looking forward to getting it set up and ready for my students. Speaking of students, last time I posted, I had mentioned that I would be teaching life skills special education. Because of a lot of different reasons, my class size has reduced itself to 2 students! I will have two girls, one in elementary, and one in middle school. I was sad to see the other students go, but I am looking forward to hearing what God has in store for them and their families. I am also looking forward to giving the two students in my class more individualized instruction. How often does a teach get this type of an opportunity?! I feel very blessed. We have also added a great group of new teachers this year! I have not gotten to know all of them very well yet, but they are all very excited to minister to our kids. I can't wait to see how much our kids grow this year.
Something else I am very thankful for this year is that I can get the Living Room (the young adults group from my church in the states) messages on iTunes! I am so thankful to be able to listen to the messages that I am missing while I am gone. In fact, I am listening to one right now. :) This summer really helped me to realize how much I had been drained over the last year. It was great to be filled up again this summer and to be encouraged by so many people from Living Room. I was especially thankful for the group of people that prayed for me the night before I left. It really helped me to feel so much better about leaving and I seriously can't thank you enough! You are an amazing group of people that are not only ready to change the people in your place of work, but ready to change your communities, Lancaster, and the rest of the world. I am praying for all of you who are leaving for Mexico tomorrow and can't wait to hear your testimonies! God is going to do amazing things!
This brings me to the title of my post, SHINE. A few weeks ago, I bought a t-shirt to help support the Mexico missions team. The shirt says "Let it shine" and has a picture of a big sun with a city behind it. I really loved the shirt, and also loved supporting the group of people going to Mexico. Flash-forward to Thursday morning in Kenya. The director of our school got up and announced the theme for our school year, shine! I was so excited to see God lining up these things in my life. It brought together two of my worlds that sometimes feel so far apart. This year we will be focusing on letting God's light shine on our campus. I can't wait to see our campus lit up and on fire for God!
Prayer Requests:
- For myself, the other teachers in the school, and the students to have a great first week of school
- For the Mexico missions team from Living Room
- For God's light to be spread throughout Kenya
Verse Of Encouragement:
"Let me tell you why you are here. You're
here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you
lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your
usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Here's another way to
put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God
is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city
on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you
under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you
there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open
house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt
people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16
