Let me first begin by apologizing…this blog was supposed to be posted awhile ago. I am sorry for this being so late.
November 2, 2012
This month has been difficult, but so rewarding. My team along with Team Ignite ministered with Fellowship Bible Church Christian School. While there, we were able to work with children with fetal alcohol syndrome. The school ministers to the surrounding farming communities and squatter camps.
For the first week, my teammate Sharisse and I taught an art class for the children. After that week, the principal placed me in the classroom! I was so excited! I was able to teach the small class of five students in grades 6&7. Although they speak English, they are learning how to read and write it. I also learned some of their native language, Afrikaans. Then I was able to teach in the grade 3. Boy was I in for a surprise!! At first glance, these children were unkind, didn’t listen, and weren’t really interested in learning anything. In the beginning, I really struggled. But when I chose to see them through Jesus’ eyes, everything changed. He showed me that I just needed to do my best to teach and LOVE them. God taught me so much while teaching these students.
One story I would like to share is that of a little boy in grade 3. He was probably the most difficult student I had. One Tuesday, I had separated him from the other children and was talking to him. Usually there would be no response and he would shut down. But this time was different. I knew God was doing something in him. It seemed as if he was drinking in the words I was saying. He stood listening intently as I shared with him what the Bible says about how we should treat others the way we want to be treated, and how we should pray for our enemies. I couldn’t believe the difference he showed!! However, it wasn’t until that night in team time that I found out my teammate Sarah had the opportunity to talk to him as well.
The Lord works in awesome ways!!
We had gone that night to the farming community to spend time with the children and their families, encouraging them in Christ, and praying with them. Sarah had a chance to talk to him and his father and pray with them. Afterwards, as I was standing outside with the other children, he came outside. As I watched him walk towards us, eating his dinner from a plastic container, there was something different in his demeanor. He wasn’t acting like the other children. He was just observing what was going on around him…many people from America, spending time with others in his small community. Although I can't say what he was thinking, or what he will take with him throughout his life, I do know that the Lord is sovereign. I can rest knowing that He will use me in a way that pleases Him…so that He is glorified.
I pray the presentations of the Gospel that were given and just the way we lived our lives made a difference. Praise God that we had the opportunity to minister in this school!
