Kids say the darndest things...

Last week I was walking the kids up from the playground when I overheard a 4th grader say, "(insert name here) says he's allergic to girls." A little 3rd grader says "Nuh uh, he can't be because then he'd be allergic to his mom." I couldn't help but laugh and share with other adults.

Being sick for so long put me very behind in my work. Today I plan on catching up completely. A HUGE blessing is that I received a package in the mail today. :-)

Long Weekend

There was no school on Friday due to a Kenyan national holiday. Friday marked the day of Kenya instituting the new constitution. I decided that with a day off from school I shouldn't stay in Nairobi. I went to Hell's Gate National Park with a couple of people. It was my 4th trip there and I have to say I LOVE that place! Each time I go I am enamored with God's creation. The weather was beautiful and the company was good. That evening I hung out with one of my new friends. Yesterday I went to Amani Ya Juu for lunch with quite a few of the ladies from WNS. Seventeen ladies showed up to celebrate 2, no 4, of the teachers' birthdays. In the evening I went out with a couple that I'm friends with. I always say that their little boy is my favorite baby in Africa. :-) When we got back from dinner they put Micah to bed. Then one of my friends joined us and the four of us played two games of Settlers of Catan. This morning was church and then the rest of the day was spent taking a nap, visiting, and running errands. I am still very behind in my work from being so sick and having to stay in bed for 5 days straight. Sadly I didn't get any school work done this weekend. Hopefully tomorrow morning I can get up without problems and get to school early.

Honesty is the Best Policy

I am really enjoying my students this year. Today one of my students came back from lunch recess and handed me 1,000 shillings (about $13). She said she found it on the field. She said she was tempted to keep it but knew the right thing to do was turn it in. How precious! I am so enjoying my class this year!

Back...Again :-)

Today I went back to work. I felt miserable most of the day, but sometime around mid-afternoon I got a slight boost of energy and taught two subjects back to back. This morning it was pretty sweet when two of my students ran up to me to give me a hug. Then when my students were leaving this afternoon several of my kiddos made sure to tell me how happy they are that I'll be at school tomorrow too. Please pray that I can get a good night's sleep tonight. Last night I couldn't fall asleep until around midnight and then i was up every hour coughing. I had to get up at 5 a.m. so I'm pretty sleepy and already ready for bed. Please keep praying for me. Much love!

Prayer - what a glorious thing!

Today I went into my classroom to get things ready for a substitute. I checked our classroom P.O. Box where the students can write me confidential prayer requests. The first note I opened said, “Please pray that my mum and dad may stop fighting.” My heart melted and instantly I felt the need to want to protect this child from whatever is happening at home. As I continued reading more notes there were requests for friends and family members’ salvation, people with illnesses to get better, a parent to find a job, and one child said they are having trouble with their faith. It is interesting what weighs on a child’s heart. They can dwell on troubles just as we adults do. It is precious to me that they trust me enough to share with me, and they confide in me to pray for them. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again – Teaching is a privilege! I eagerly anticipate the changes God wants to make at West Nairobi School. He has already started working on me. I’m sure He’s already started working on my students’ hearts. This year revival will happen. I’m praying for it. Please pray with me. :-)

School's back!

We started school on Tuesday August 10th. I'm excited about getting to know all my new kiddos. Sadly, I missed school on Thursday and Friday because I've picked up an upper respiratory infection. Thursday I tried going into school hoping to stay until lunch, but I left just before 10 a.m. Yesterday I went to the doctor and was advised not to go into school on Monday. I've been trying to find things to amuse myself so as not to get bored. It's kind of weird that I will have missed more school than attended for this school year. Today I'll try to get into my classroom to get ready for the substitute tomorrow. I think I got sick from a plethora of things. For one the weather turned very cold suddenly. I've been a bit stressed in getting ready for the new year and taking on some administrative duties. With stress comes loss of sleep. With loss of sleep usually comes a lowered immune system. With a lowered immune system comes sickness. I guess when you're always go-go-go and need a break God gives you one in an unexpected way. It has been nice to rest and relax without stressing over school. Please pray that I continue to get better. Love and miss you all!

I will bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me. Bless his holy name!

10 Blessings (in no particular order)

* my new roomie
* newfound peace that I know is coming as a direct result of prayer
* no violence from the referendum
* no traffic for a few days because of the referendum :-) I will go as far as to say it was pleasurable to drive in Nairobi during this time. Extreme statement, I'm know!
* my classroom should be ready for the first day of school
* faculty at WNS who have a heart to serve our Savior
* unsaved kids in my class who WILL come to know Jesus this year
* spiritual growth in the previous months and the coming months as well
* prayer - it is still amazing to me first of all that Christ would die for me, a sinner, but also that I can go before the throne of grace at any time of the day or night
* my station wagon (Big Bertha as I call her) is still running
* Thursday nights at the Gottfried's house
* the Word of God that daily gives me guidance
* great friends both here and across the Atlantic Ocean
* sermons on podcast

Okay, so I know I said 10 blessings, but I just couldn't stop at 10. I could write more, but it's pretty late and I'm tired. Blessings all!