His eye is on the sparrow...

I have been thinking about birds nests. Did you ever think about how crazy it is that birds (birds- think about how big their brains aren't) can pile random bits of a twig and fiber together- not only into an actual shape, but into a thing that their babies are safe in, AND something that can still hold its shape after falling out of a tree. And they do all of it with their feet and their mouths. Yeah- I don't know anybody who could do that.

Isn't that incredible that God did that for them? He thought so intently about what birds would need that He packed that much building skill into their little pea sized brains. And every year, no matter how many birds are building their nests- there's enough twigs, stringy/fibery stuff, and worms to go around.

"Fear not, you are worth more than many sparrows" (Luke 12:7) If He takes that good care of the birds, think how much care He takes of  you and me?

The Road Ahead

This summer begins what is quite possibly the scariest thing I've ever done: support raising. DundundunDUN. Oh my word- SO overwhelming. I SO want to be back in the fall for classes here. But to go from 8% to fully supported in one summer? Unheard of. Insane. Impossible. And all kinds of other big words that are basically the adult version of "Ah!!! Scary!!" Not that any of this is news. But its getting closer now, and therefore, scarier. 

I have found, over the last few weeks, that I am relating more and more to Peter walking on the water. I alternate between being totally relaxed and confident that God's going to bring in exactly the right amount at exactly the right time like He always has, and freaking out because this absolutely ridiculous and I must have totally lost my mind to even be attempting this! When my eyes are on Jesus- I can walk through/on/over/ these crazy waves of support raising. But the minute my eyes are off Jesus- plunk!- I drop like a stone. Jesus makes the difference like nothing else possibly could. 

He's been reminding me of that lately through this song called "Wait and See" by Brandon Heath. Maybe these words will be an encouragement to you in where God has you. They sure have been to me as I think about this summer:

Still wondering why I'm here, 

Still wrestling with my fear,

But oh! He's up to something

And the farther along I go,

I've seen enough to know that I'm

Not here for nothing

He's up to something. 

Perspective

What's Next?

It’s funny, when I say this is what I’d like to do long term, people who have kids in or have ever worked in childcare look all excited and say “really?!” and people who don’t have kids or haven’t worked in childcare look at me like I’m crazy and say “really?”

But yes- I believe this is where God has me- and I love it! I am SO excited to be here, being part of the Gospel getting out to places its never been! So- the next step is… raising support/connecting with other people who are also excited about what God is up to and would like to be a part! That will, Good Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, be starting this summer.

Currently I’m in kind of an in-between place, I’m not a student or a member of the mission. The plan is to join the mission at the beginning of June (doing the paperwork now) and then finish support raising by August . No you didn’t read that wrong. Yes I know that’s insane. See, once I become a member, I can’t come back and serve till I’ve finished support raising. So I want to get done FAST.  It’s kind of complicated, but the biggest two reasons are personnel needs here, and lack of housing there.

Guys, I really, really, REALLY need you all to be praying about this- because from a strictly human standpoint- this is 100% impossible- by all statistics I’ve already got like 6 strikes against me as far as support raising goes (single, support ministry, US ministry etc , etc) But with God all things are possible! And if He wants me here (and I believe He does), then He’ll make a way. So PRAY guys- only God can get me from 8% to the minimum 60% by August!

Preparing the Preschoolers

That’s how I think about this amazing ministry God’s given me here at the training center: He’s given me the chance to train the little ones. God has got good plans for them, and good plans for them to be part of people who’ve never had the chance to hear about Jesus, finally getting the chance to know Him. So as the three of us pre-school leaders have started off the semester, we’ve been carefully and prayerfully considering- what do these little ones need to learn above and beyond basic
123, write your name, this color is red stuff before kindergarten. And here’s a few things:
 Sitting. Missionary Kids have to do A LOT of sitting. Trust me. I was one.
 Playing well with a wide variety of kids in a wide variety of settings.
 Solving conflicts with other children without direct adult involvement (ie-realizing they need to share, take turns, say sorry, etc without a teacher or parent telling them so)
 Map Time (pictured below): Most of these little ones are headed overseas, so they need to know a bit about the world. We have learned the names of all the continents (yes! They had a mental block about Africa for the longest time- but they’ve got it now), and each month, we learn about a different continent. We see pictures from the country, learn to say hello and count to 10 in a language from that region, learn a little about the people there, and pray that God would help the people who don’t know Jesus there to know Him. It is the sweetest thing ever hearing these little ones pray for God to send people His Word!

Pigeon Song

During March, we spent some time  in the classroom learning about the South Pacific, and the countries there where some of these kids will grow up. One of the countries we learned about was Papua New Guinea (right above Australia). One of the other pre-school teachers, Kayla, actually grew up there as a missionary kid, and she taught us this children's song.
The words basically mean: Little kids, little kids, come to Jesus/ little kids, big kids, Jesus loves you.  /Sisters, brothers, daddys and mommys/ all of you come to Jesus, Jesus loves you."
The kids have learned it so well, (much better than the video-that was our first week learning it!) But I love to hear them sing this song because, in essance, this is what God is calling them, well all of us really, to do. Go and call people to come and meet our wonderful Jesus!

The Class:

Here is our un-offcial class photo of the year!

And by un-official, I mean "Hey- all 13 kids are here today, let's take a picture." "Okay lets take a picture. Hmmm.... I think I have my camera...."

But they're cute anyway. :)

I had a little turtle

Last week a turtle came to visit our classroom. He "volunteered" by poking his out of some bushes as I walked to the classroom that morning.  That was one brave little turtle! . He was picked up, carried, tapped, inspected, screamed at, chased (both inside and outside) and turned every which way you can imagine and he only retreated into his shell  for about ten minutes total.
I loved watching the kids warm up to the turtle too. The boys, of course, took all of 5 seconds, to think it was the coolest thing ever. Even most of the girls were excited, and eventually got brave enough to tentatively touch the turtle. It's exciting to see them opening up and being willing to try something they're a little nervous about- a good skill they'll need as they head overseas!

You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child. -Dr. Seuss