The In-Betweens

The other night, I was awakened out of sleep by a loud - CRASH!

After coming fully awake, 

I realized it was just the sound of a large avocado falling off the tree 

and onto the tin roof of the shed behind my house.

It was probably the 50th one that fell that day. 

So, content on the identification of the sound, 

I rolled over to fall back asleep.

I don't know about you, 

but every time I go to fall asleep, 

I seem to kind of "take inventory".

The day had been a good one.

The week had been a good one.

God is so GOOOOD!

That got me thinking about all of the ups and downs in life.

Since arriving in Zambia,

I had gone through sickness, broken limbs, pain, 

periods of constant headaches or ear aches.

Even though there were breaks in between,

 the breaks are easy to forget when you are always 

going through some sort of thing.

Tonight, 

this night, 

I was thankful for the days that are just normal, 

no present pain or sickness, 

no unnecessary drama in my life, 

just a day, 

a good one.

In the Christian life, we go through many ups and downs.

We experience spiritual mountain tops; highs of great spirituality and victory.

Then we experience valleys; deep, dark valleys of trials, 

heartaches, and testings.

Even though we should strive for those spiritual highs, we can't always have them, otherwise they would become "normals".

We need all three present in our lives to truly grow in His grace 

and in the knowledge of who He is.

Tonight, I am just thankful for the comfort, strength 

and rest that comes in the "in-betweens"!

Little Lumps of Clay

School this year had an amazing start.

It is hard to prepare for the unknown.

I say unknown, because each child is differant. 

Its not like I can find out how the children are from thier past teachers.

No, they are fresh clay, ready to be molded and made for the Master's use.

William and I with some of my students

This year I have twelve students.

(Not all are pictured above.)

They come from differant homes and differant backgrounds.

Some even come from differant countries.

Every day is a new adventure in learning.

With each day, I learn more about thier personalities

and each day I learn more about myself.

We are almost half way through our school year here.

(Zambia schools start in January and run till December,

 unlike American schools that start in September and end in May/June).

Each day is filled with smiles and sillyness.

They learn to do the fun things,

as well as the challenging things.

We are molding young lives,

training them for the future.

This Little One

As a missionary, you wish you had time to really do 

everything you would like to do.

There are so many people with so many needs.

So many talents and experiences that the Lord has given you, 

but not ever enough time to share them with others.

Every day, week, month, year we are faced with choices.

Since I can't do everything (after all, I am not wonder woman),

I have to decide what I can do that will make the most impact for the Lord.

Where is HE leading me?

What does HE want me to do or not do?

In reality, it takes many precious years to work with someone,

and in the end, it is just a small impact,

YET, A BIG IMPACT TO GOD!!!!

Recently, I have noticed that this little boy has been struggling in school.

         He is a very clever boy, but yet struggles

 to get all of his work done in class.

I hardly have extra time for anything.

My schedule is so jam-packed with school, visiting, ministries, 

house cleaning, laundry, dishes,....

 but the Lord prompted me to take a little time twice a week

 to help this little one regain his confidence back.

I tutor him twice a week.

it is just a short time,

BUT

a great joy!

Every week I go home blessed.

First of all, because when you obey 

what the Lord is telling you to do,

then He blesses you.

You know,

 when we have our little times together,

it seems like time stands still.

I never feel like I am 'sacrificing' my time,

I never have an anxious spirit (what I mean by that, 

is when you feel like you just want to get to the next thing),

I feel totally at peace during these times. 

All I can say, is that it is because of obeying the Lord.

Another thing I love about my times with this little boy,

is to hear him pray.

He still speaks in broken English, 

but when he prays it is with a heart to please God.

He prays for his teachers, that God would help him with his work 

and that God would help him be kind to others.

Precious, precious, precious!

My time with this little one may not change the world,

BUT IT COULD!!!

Isaiah 60:22

A little one shall become a thousand, 

and a small one a strong nation: 

I the Lord will hasten it in his time.