day 191: last man standing...

thursday was crazy! sarah woke up sick & unable to go to school. as soon as i realized she wasn't going i began to PRAY...hard. thursdays...oh how tough they are. (you can just go ahead & mark every thursday on your calendar to PRAY specifically for us!!)

headed out & picked up "t" on the way - who had also been sick all week. she was feeling a little better. we drove over to xolani primary school (our monday school) to confirm with the principal one more time about an upcoming event. we also announced it to the learners for the first time, too! oct. 27 (this coming saturday) we're showing a movie (the Jesus film!) on the school property for grade 6 & 7 learners & their families. PRAY for a good turnout & PRAY that the Lord would already be softening hearts to hear the gospel message of Truth, Grace, Love & Eternal Life!

as we left xolani & headed to mzamomhle school for the day i had to laugh. "t" had taken some medicine that am that made her quite drowsy. she was able to make it through our 1st class but then slept through several others in the car. totally not a surprise to the Father that i would be teaching alone...but i was feeling a little caught off guard!

2 different learners in our first class had asked anonymously in different ways for a Bible. so we got to announce that if they didn't have a Bible & wanted one, they could come find us & talk. BUT they had to take the initiative! after class, several followed. i shared w/ them a tract in xhosa & said if you take this home, read it & bring it back next week able to talk with me about it, i'll see what i can do about getting you a Bible. later in the day, another girl came & found me in the break room. very encouraging to see a hunger for the Word in a school we've sensed there is little. PRAY!

as i walked into our 3rd class there were only a handful of students in the room. while it took some time, little by little they came in until most of them were seated. after talking with some of them, i learned that for about half of their school day everyday they don't have a teacher. they said they get very bored. so they were all spread out in nearby classrooms talking, playing soccer, hanging out by the gate, etc. i can't get upset with them for that. found myself wondering what my own motivation to come to school would be if i were them! when they were finally quiet & ready, i just sensed the Lord saying "love them...just spend time with them." yes - i taught a lesson, but found it so much more important to share a story from Scripture & get them up & laughing. left their class both broken & encouraged.

trying to untie the HUMAN KNOT!! :)

we've really struggled with waning attendance in after-school girls' club. so, from time to time throughout the day i randomly invited girls i thought would be interested. the look on their faces was priceless. as if to say, "who, me? really?"they all would stare with excitement. had 16 girls show up. taught a lesson on our need for others, as the Body of Christ. spontaneously taught them the song "lean on me" - which took me WAY back. yeah - it's an old song...but they LOVED it. caught them singing it arm in arm as they left the school grounds.

thursday night i got to spend some much-needed time w/ my mentor & dear friend...such encouragement to my heart. cannot think about what's to come in 2014 when i leave the field but trusting the Lord's sovereignty even there!