October 25, 2008 9:00am
Good Saturday morning. I can’t even begin to believe that we have been here for a week. It has been such an amazing experience and such a humbling one. God amazes me at how He works. Last night they threw us a party and we had the opportunity to thank them for all they have done for us while we have been here. The children have taught me so much and I just pray that God has used me to teach them something. I also hope that the children have felt the love of Christ through my interaction with them. I think that they have taught me more by their love and acceptance as well as the amazing community they have here than I could have ever taught, but I trust that God brought me here for a reason and will use it to His glory, whatever that may look like.
If there is one thing that I have learned here in a great supply it is God dependence. The majority of my days have been spent away from the rest of the team with children that do not speak my language at all and maybe if I am lucky a translator. There is nothing like being in a room full of children without the ability to communicate with them. When I teach with a translator they have to further explain a lot of what it taught and so in essence I have no idea what they are learning or being told through my teaching. All that I can do is trust God to use what I say and what the translator says to make a difference in the lives of the children and plant seeds. Without a translator they try to read a story out of the Bible that comes from wherever I am trying to teach out of and that shows even more God dependence. It is also very interesting how alone you can feel in a room of people when you cannot speak to anyone but to know that God is there with me tends to make all the difference. I am so thankful for this trip and the ways that God has revealed Himself to me and forever changed me because of what I have experienced here. He never ceases to amaze me with His goodness to us even though we don’t deserve it and the ways that He uses sinners like me to further His kingdom.
–Shannon
I have been away from the computer for four days at the ladies retreat… I was so excited to come to work today to look at the blog to see what has been happening with you guys. I am so blessed to just be able to read what God is doing through you guys there. Shannon you are so right, you dont know exactly what the children are taking away from your teaching but be sure you are planting seeds. Seeds that these children will reap some day… How awesome will it be some day in Heaven when one of those children comes up to you and says “I remeber you, you came to my country from the United states”. God is sooooo good.
We are praying safe traveling mercies for your trip home….
Love you!
Be safe,
Janet