Busy busy times: Is it really possible that it is November and we only have 2 weeks left in the term?! I have been dreadful with communication and I apologize! This term has been a huge stretching point for me. I have learned so much. God continues to work in my heart and the girl’s hearts as well. We have been challenged by lots of things that range from becoming sophomores and increased homework/responsibilities load (for them ), new schedule for me, and fighting spiritual warfare. Through it all God has been faithful to sustain us and I am so thankful for the prayers of all of you that carry us in these difficult times. I am enjoying my work at the office. It keeps me busy during the day, but I enjoy the flexibility of hours and the free evenings. I am constantly learning new skills that are required when working as an “assistant” to the principal ie. dealing with the shipment of a container for the school and other “fun” things like that. (Definitely out of my comfort zone!)
Dorm Life: As I mentioned earlier, this year has been full of changes. What I have noticed is how busy the girls are! I hardly see them unless I am very intentional about seeking them out. They start having more responsibilities with Video sales (concessions sort of deal) at the movie nights, drama, and sports involvement. This term it was basketball for the girls. I enjoy the “Soccer Mom” part of my job. (Getting to go watch them play and cheer them on) I have 16 girls this term. I am so enjoying the deepening of relationships we are able to have instead of having to start from scratch. In our dorm devos we have enjoyed a video series from Louie Giglio. We are now starting a topical study. (our first topic is actually prayer) I am hoping I can help facilitate and guide them as they learn how to search the scriptures on their own. This year I challenged the girls that for our Tuesday night time, we would focus on praying for each other in a sort of accountability way. We have boards up in the dorm where we can write requests we might have for others, but the time on Tuesday is reserved for what God is teaching us or things we are struggling with. This has been really encouraging to see some of the girls grasp and take hold of. It is really neat to hear answers to prayer in this way because they can see a clear working of the Spirit in their hearts.
But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God the Holy One of Israel, your Savior, I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.(Isaiah 43:1-3 ESV)
We were really blessed as a dorm to participate in an outreach to House of Hope. This is an orphanage started by one of my girl’s parents. It was really special because there are some teenage girls there that my girls were able to pair up with and just share and encourage them about life. My girls really enjoyed that time with them and we hope to continue to build on that relationship during the next 2 terms when we go again. Early in October RVA had Spiritual Emphasis Week. A speaker came who is working in Egypt. We were all challenged by his message of dying to yourself and living for Christ. He has a huge heart for the unreached and I know there were several people who left the sessions sensing a burden for them and are now praying about going to these lost people groups. I experienced something very new to me during this week. The first night of SEW one of my girls, we will call her “Grace”, had a demonic attack. I noticed her crying at the end of a session so moved over to where she was sitting. Her tears turned into very strange noises and she was shaking terribly. I had no idea what was going on, but all I knew to do was pray for her! Several other staff members and students formed a circle around us and prayed. This happened for about 30+ minutes before she finally seemed to relax. Obviously this whole thing shook the girls. We had a time of prayer and reading scripture in the girl’s room before they went to bed and I think they were encouraged. These moments can be so intense and make me wonder why God thinks I can handle them, but then He reminds me it is so He can be shown powerful in my weakness and He gets the glory. Through this experience, God has provided an opportunity I have been praying for, for the last year! I felt led to ask Grace if she would read the Bible with me once a week and she has agreed. We already have a good relationship, but I have been so encouraged to see a willingness to study God’s Word …With me since she has not seemed interested in the past . Please keep praying for this Grace. She has a very hard background and is very angry with God. She is not sure if she really believes in Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She is open to continue to read with me and I am thankful for that. I am praying that God would soften her heart towards Him and that she would be able to understand His love and with His help be able to forgive the terrible hurts she has suffered from people in her life. I am reminded how great His grace is to each one of us. If you want to pray specifically, 10:30 am on Tuesday mornings (your time) is when you can pray for our time together.
Pictures: Dorm party, Outreach to House of Hope, my Sunday school group, Multicultural day, and My "little" Tenwek brothers Andrew and Peter White.
God is teaching me to trust Him completely. Last Sunday the message was on trust and He reminded us of Phil 4:6-7. He said that doesn't say the plans will be made known to you immediately but It says the peace of God Will guard your hearts! So ask yourself •can you trust God, even though you don't know where he is leading? •do you trust God that he knows what he is doing even though the decisions aren't easy? •do you trust that Gods timing is perfect even though it’s not often your own timing? These are questions I constantly need to ask myself. God is so patient to teach me His truths. As I look to the unknown of the future, I can rest in His plan. He has given me great peace with that knowledge. As of now, I am feeling like I will not return to RVA immediately after my 2 year term is up. I am not sure where He is leading exactly, but know He will reveal that to me in His perfect timing. I would appreciate your prayers that I would have an open heart to discern where that might be and that I would be continually making the most of every opportunity He gives me to serve Him.
I am looking forward to a month at Home from November 24-December 27th. I am so excited to see many of you and be able to join my family for Christmas. All the brothers and sisters will get to be together for the first time in at least 2 years.
