Chapel Day

This was our Chapel day this morning and we had visitors from the States, who are part of the YWAM's DTS. Daniel and Junairo. They are both basketball players and they use that sport to share the gospel with people around the world. Which I think is pretty amazing. They have a basketball with six colors and they explain the gospel step by step by using every color on the ball. The kids understood it pretty well and they loved it.  It was a really awesome day. The kids hang around with them. Asked them a lot of questions, and played a lot of games.

                                         Daniel and Lonel playing soccer with the grade 5s during break time.

Thank You Lord

What Can I say, school has really been great so is the the kids. To be honest, I have to say it's a blessing being here at Community Hope school. And I really thank God for allowing me to be apart of this children's lives. I thank Him that he has chosen to work through some one like me to be a light and a blessing to them in return. The Lord is really good. And because of His amazing kindness I am always looking forward to every day. Because I know that every time I reach those school gates there will be sweet faces waiting for me outside with arms open wide in hope for a warm hug from Ms Josua. They are treasure boxes.

I look at these kids and indeed by God's grace I see the hope to this broken community that they live in. I see God raising up a new generation to build up His kingdom and to shine his light in the darkest places. I see God rebuilding the ruins.

THEY ARE THE APPLES OF MY EYES.

They said we should not get attached to the kids, but I have to be honest and admit that I am definitely growing to be in love with these kids and more attached than ever.
 I can't help myself. In fact, I thank God for the gift of teaching. For the joy of being a blessing and being surround by more than a hundred kids every day and all over me!
Their laughter, their hugs, their smiles, the mixed up words, and that good bye hugs and kisses on the cheek when its time to go home. I thank God for those last words at the end of the day that always seem to melt my heart to bits.
''I love you Ms Josh."

Oh, how long?

Oh, how I long spend wasting my life searching for a purpose and meaning to life in the wrong places and people.
When I ought to be still and listen as He says to me: I am the source of your life, apart from me you can do nothing and your life has no meaning.
When you see the struggle and the shame, I see the reason why I came to die. I came for your story and I came for your wounds, to show you what love sees, when I see you.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Jesus is the reason why I am here and whether I live or die, I am His and pray to do it all to His Glory.

Flu...and...headahe

Yesterday wasn't any better from the day before.Woke up very late, missed out on driving with Marya (the grade 3 teacher, who I was suppose to drive with to school ) and struggled to get a taxi from my place to katutura. So I had to walk all the way to the Dorado taxi rank which is a 30 minute walk. It took me a while, but I got a taxi the moment I got there and he dropped me off at a service station close to the school.
I just realized that if you are not early then you are late.

But I am really thankful today. No repeats of Wednesday and Thursday. I woke up at the right time. Left home and got dropped off at the right place. And most importantly, got at school on time. for the first time I found the kids at the gate, who ran to greet me with warm hugs.I felt like I was starting to get a gleams of what it truly means to be a teacher. I really had an amazing fun morning with the kids. And deeply enjoyed the 30 minute chapel that we had in the hall.The kids were awesome during worship time. Loved it.

I did time lines and flash cards all morning again and I sat in the hall by myself  the whole morning. Well, until Nigel from our grade 2 got excused from the class for being naughty. So he spend the whole 30 minutes with me outside chatting about his favorite cartoon movies and what he wants to be when he grow up. I have to say that it was really great to spend some time getting to know him. He's really an amazing little boy, he just needs attention.
I couldn't spend the rest of the day with the kids as I hoped I would because after break my headaches from the flu which I have been trying to deal with for two days now, started to get worst. I didn't want to get the kids sick so I had to come home early. Lying on the couch with a ice full cloth over my forehead this moment, I am trying to read Louie Giglio's book.
Then an hour nap might just do later.

First day officially helping at Community Hope school

It is my first day officially helping out at Community Hope school today.
 And hey..they say first impressions are very important. I don't know, because mine started off with a crazy morning. First of all, I got up at the wrong time which was 4 a.m. Then I got into a taxi that dropped me off at the wrong school in town. Then I got into anther taxi that dropped me off some where in katutura. Which happened to be at the wrong place. I took the matter into my own hands and decided to find the school myself. That's when I got lost on my little adventure.
So I pleaded the Lord for help and He answered me.Took me about an hour to finally find the school.
But I did, and I thank God for that.
:)
I didn't really have much to do today. except to cut out words for flash cards and help make time lines for the grade 2 class. I am scheduled to teach arts and Bible every Friday for the grade 2s. And connect group with the grade 5 girls. I am really excited to get to know and connect with all the kids in some way. I really pray that the Lord will use me to be a blessing in these children's lives and as every day goes by He will continue to reveal to me what He's plan is for bringing me here.
But hey, meet the grade 2s and Ms Afrikaner.

First Day...Visiting Community Hope

So Community Hope is a small school in Katutura situated in a church building. It provides hope through Christian education to children, many of which orphaned by AIDS.

In 2005, Community Hope School (CHS) began with ten students where the need was seen the most- in Katutura. Today, CHS is a fully functioning primary school, ministering to over one hundred students in grades one through seven. Each day these children receive breakfast, snacks, hot lunch, a quality Christian education and, most importantly, hope. School staff visit homes and give medical assistance, food and counseling to those who look after the children.

It has round about 200 students and it is run by an American couple John and Suzanne Hunter who I  happened to meet for the first time last week Sunday at church. We started talking and before I knew it we were talking about my life and what I have been doing last year which was teaching. And at the same time they have been praying to get someone who could help out at school in grade two. I wasn't sure about the idea at first when they asked me if I wanted to help out, so they asked me to take some time to pray and think about it.
But with my visit of the school today and after seeing those kids, I have to be honest and say I definitely want want to be there. I don't have a plan at all, and I think that is okay because I am sure that if God is indeed calling me to be apart of those Children's lives then He has a plan and He will make away. He alone will give me the strength I need, the ability, and the heart to be able to do what ever He calls me to do there. Community Hope school is indeed a pretty neat and friendly place. and the kids are really amazing. My first day and they were all over me. I like them already.
I will be working in grade 2 with another teacher and her name is Ms Afrikaner. I am really looking forward to get to know her. I deeply pray that the Lord will build a good friendship between us and I really hope to learn so much from her.
I am excited!