Lucky- Blessed- Me

 My class is absolutely the cutest!

 

 

Christmas with the kiddos

Christmas with the kiddos: we decorated the tree (over and over and over)

We made lots of Christmas decorations for our tree, and cards to send to other people.

We even had a party with little presents. 

And did a Christmas program for our parents

Such adorable little Christmas elves :) 

God and Peppermint Mocha

Sometimes I treat God like Peppermint Mocha Creamer.

Sugar Free Peppermint Mocha creamer is my absolute favorite. I buy it as soon as it comes out in the fall and drink basically nothing else with my coffee until it goes away around.... well... around now. I'll miss it for a while, but eventually I will forget about it.  Well not exactly forget- but I stop checking the shelf for it whenever I need creamer, and after a while, I forget just how good it is, and I'm fine using other kinds, because, hey, they're pretty good too, right?

I think I do that to God too- but way more often. He shows me how good He is to me and I'm blown away... for a while. When I stop paying attention- looking for the everyday evidence of His love, and then I forget how good He really is, so I start to use other stuff, and begin to think, "They're nearly as good right?" Shopping, TV, movies, food. Whatever.  Basically just as good when I'm sad or lonely or stressed, right? False.

But, oh, when He calls me back again, and reminds me again of how good He really is! Its mind blowing. It so clearly beats all competition! Its- well- its like the best first sip of peppermint mocha ever.

Off and Running

The semester is off and running! I have twelve kids this semester- Three five year olds, five three year olds and four two year olds. Other wise known as "the big kids" and "the medium kids" and "the little kids" Though one of my two year old insists on a daily basis that he's "a big kid too!" 

Medium, Big and Little kids- all playing together

 Such a multi-age classroom certainly has its challenges. Let's just say lesson planning was quite extensive the first week - haha. But now things are running smoother, and I and the kids, are getting the hang of things. 

I don't do it all alone of course- that would be quite impossible.  The moms  of kids in the program take turns helping out in the classroom. They're a big help during the morning- and sometimes they even bring special talents- like face painting. 

The kids LOVED it!

Guess What?!?!

So- as many of you know- I've been praying to return to the Missionary Training Center in Missouri this fall. Partnership Development continued to inch along, so it didn't look very likely, but God had given me peace about staying or going- which ever He decided to do. I asked a bunch of you to start praying with me that my support would double so I would be able to return and serve on a permanent basis. Well, now, three weeks later, I have some awesome news for you: my support didn't double (not even remotely close).... BUT I STILL GET TO GO NEXT MONTH!!!!!!!!

And how in the world, you might ask, did God pull that off? 

Well, about three weeks ago I got a call from the Personnel Department at the Missionary Training Center saying they were really, really desperate for childcare personnel this fall, and if I was willing, and my home church agreed, they would be willing to bend their normal "60% or more for two months or more" policy- In short, would I please consider returning for the fall regardless of how much support I have?

I was immediately torn between instantly wanting to go and thinking "there is no way I can live on 35%". But after a week of intense prayer and a talk with my pastor- I was sure. God wants me to return, and He will take care of me, just like He takes care of the flowers and the birds. And would you believe support has gone up 8% since then? and more is promised! If God keeps going at this rate, I'll be at the minimum by fall-hurray! 

I've been waiting till I had an official departure date to tell you all, but its taking longer than I thought and I am too excited to wait any longer to tell you all. So- actual departure date: mid-to-late  July. Specfic day TBA

Thank you all for praying! Please don't stop now- God is doing the most amazing things!

Prayer Requests from latest newsletter:

Praise God for:
·         His goodness all around
·         His perfect timing
·         New (and very surprising) support
·         For the time He blessed me with at my old job
·         More time I can use in discovering the Partners God has picked out for this ministry

 

Pray for:

 

·         A heart attentive to what God is doing
·         Continued ministry opportunities
·         Wise use of daily time
·         God to continue to press this ministry onto the hearts of the people He’s chosen to partner with
·         Support to double by the end of June. (see explanation coming soon)
·         For full support and available housing to coincide for a prompt return to the Missionary Training Center

Why Childcare? Part Two

Why does God choose small people to use? Sometimes small in age, like David or Samuel were when they started. Sometimes it’s a different kind of small, sort of like “consider  your calling brethren, how not many wise, not many noble were chosen…” I think God likes to use little people, and even little things, just so that we can see how big and awesome He is. After all, isn’t that the point of all He does? He loves us so much, and He wants us to know Him. So He picks things and people to use that will make who He is obvious. Maybe that’s one of the reasons He likes kids so much. When the tool used is so small, you can’t help but admire the Craftsman.

Kids, being so small, are in a perfect position to show off the bigness of God. He is so great that He comes through even in the simple things they do-playing with other kids in the village, listening to their parents, sitting in the teaching times… all of these things are God’s light, shining through, not only to the kids who have never heard of Jesus, but also to the parents of these children.

People get confused and think that the strength of a ministry is in the skills of this individual, or the talent of that gifted person, or the incredible effort exerted by these faithful workers. And though all those things factor in, let’s not forget that “unless the Lord builds a house, they labor in vain that build it” (Psalm 127:1). And that God choses to use things we call foolish, low and weak to prove how desperately we need Him (1 Corinthians 1:27-31). God plans to be unmistakable.

Why be involved with childcare? Because God will use little people to display His wonderful, good, bigness. And after all, isn’t that what walking with Jesus is all about?