day 132: side-by-side

we had a great time today introducing "t" to classes as well as after-school club at xolani primary school. the learners loved having someone there who could communicate with them on a heart level. it even gave us a peek into the seemingly "mundane" side conversations the learners were having all day...the ones we typically can't understand! ("t" explained that when we asked for examples of sin, they jokingly carried on an entire conversation about not sharing your biscuits [cookies] with your friends...all because one of the girls refused to share. i couldn't help but laugh. MAN, i wish i could undersatnd them!)

lots of praises from after-school club, especially!
- about half of the learners are coming back each week with slips indicating that they've shared the story with 3 people over the last week. it's fun to hear them talk about who they shared with & what the responses were. exciting to hear them anticipating continued sharing & follow up as they learn how the story continues.

(center) because "t" was with us, we were able to allow the learners to write PRAYer requests in xhosa.
she translated them into english!
(bottom right) 4 boys showing off their "i shared the story" slips. each shared with 3 people last week!

- it's so fun to watch the leaders among the group rise to the top & begin to really step up. i try to remind them constantly that they are all leaders...but that they have a choice as to the kind of influence they can have on others. i remember a teacher telling me i had "great potential" in the 8th grade...i didn't really know what it meant then. BUT...i never forgot it. & THAT, more than anything, lit a fire underneath me. PRAY that these kids would fully surrender their lives to becoming FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST, for that is the ONLY way they will ever truly be able to LEAD.

- had one of the club kids ("m") pull me aside today & ask for PRAYer for his father who is currently in the hosptial due to cancer. i asked permission to share the request with the rest of the boys. so we circled up & i shared with them about the importance of surrounding yourself with good, spiritually uplifting friends. i talked to them about being the Body of Christ to one another. then, i shared the young man's prayer request about his father. you could have heard a pin drop. then i asked who in the group would step up & PRAY for him. the boys looked around at one another & then 4 hands shot up. &, from that point on, the entire group dynamic changed. join us in PRAYing for this young man's family.