Gr.6 Leadership Camp: Not to be Served but to Serve.

 Everyone wants to be a leader. When I asked the grade six what they wished to achieve by the end of the camp, everyone echoed those famous phrases "I want to be a leader" or "I want to lead."  There are many misconceptions about leadership and it’s easy to develop these mixed messages when we have observed inconsistent models throughout our lives. The idea of being a leader comes with the idea of being in control, tremendous power and authority. The highest position, title and recognition. There is a lot that is said and written about leadership and it’s sad to say that even Christian leadership today seems frequently to get confused with the modern concept of celebrity. Passing over the one true role model who should be our focal point  – Jesus Christ. Matthew 20:28,that was our theme and my aim was to bring back Christ as the focal point of what it means to be a true leader and  by pointing them to him as the greatest leader who's ever lived and walked among mankind. Though King, Matthew 20:28, He came “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." The humility expressed by His act with a towel and basin foreshadowed His ultimate act of humility and love on the cross. He humbled himself to the point of death, even the death of the cross. During these two days we turned the triangle upside down for our students and gave them the chance to use every moment they had to put into practice what they were learning and serve one another. Since serving and putting others head of ourselves doesn't come so naturally to some of us, the first day was really hard for some of the students. Serving was mixed with murmuring and complaints. We had the students divided up into two teams and each team had to come up with a team name, song and dance. So this was my favorite part to watch as different personalities worked together in the most amazing and creative ways in order to achieve a common goal. The presentation was a great success indeed for both teams! 

 I have indeed enjoyed every moment with these children. Every year and every new group brings along something different that it all ends up being a great learning process for both of us. For a leader the abuse of power is a major issue and temptation. But Christians are called to be God’s servants in every aspect of our lives. From the Bible it’s clear that this means serving fellow man in accordance with the higher purpose of serving God. That's my prayer and hope for these kids that by the grace of God they would become faithful young men and women who have the capacity to lead in the Savior’s way and “help other people become true followers of … Jesus Christ.

First day of school!

"So often you find that the students you are trying to inspire are the ones that ends up inspiring you."
Sean Junkins

Catchting up over the Holiday...!

Let’s face it; every student looks forward to the semester break. It’s one of the few times when you can really sleep in or catch up on the TV shows you missed during exams. Students are usually on their own schedule and not thinking about school at all...it's the best time of every student's life!
Well...not so with our students!
 We met up with some of our students yesterday for a day out at the YWAM base and just for me to be able to catch up and hear how things are but so far most of them are already tired of being on holiday. According to them, they would rather be at school than at home! Tv shows become totally boring and sleeping in is no longer a privilege but a "waste of time". So it was like a breath of fresh air to get away from home and go out. Thanks to John and Suzanne who lovingly opened up their home and blessed us beyond words!
According to Indepensia; this was the best time she had ever since the school closed.
Every moment was a blessing indeed!

Even if He don't, yet will I hope in him...

So many times it's easy for me to admire people like Job or hymn writers like Horatio G. Spafford for their faith and courage in the dark days

but I realized that I don't  always understand the weight, heartache and brokenness behind those words. It's easy to sing those songs and repeat those words when there's nothing bringing us down and sometimes we don't fully understand that these songs and words were penned down with grieves tears and in their darkest moments when all hope was gone.

Yet Job lifted his eyes unto heaven and sincerely proclaimed 

"The Lord gave and the Lord took away, blessed be the name of the Lord. "

Anna Spafford just after losing her girls in the raging ocean proclaimed

“God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand why.”

So the question is; where do we go and to whom do we turn when days get dark?

Who is our hope and confidence in those stormy days?

what is the reflection of our hearts? whether in words or songs?

Can we say with  Bart Millard;

" I know You're able and I know You can

Save through the fire with Your mighty hand
But even if You don't
My hope is You alone
I know the sorrow, and I know the hurt
Would all go away if You'd just say the word
But even if You don't
My hope is You alone"

"The whole point of the song for me is the change that Jesus made in my life is so real and so life-transforming that if He went dark, if He went silent from now on, He would still be my greatest hope because of what He has already done," he shares. "Basically, there's not a single circumstance, I pray, that can derail me from what Christ is to me and who I am because of Christ." 
Bart Millard

Like Anna Spafford,  we may not understand today and we may continue to ask why...but there is a comforter and a refuge in the moment so let's rest in Him. Someday, someday we will understand why. 

 

 

“Cast all your anxiety on him…” Why?  “…because he cares for you.”   1 Peter 5:7

 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds...”

Why?  “…because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  James 1:2-4   

“And we know that in All things (whether good or bad) God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”    Romans 8:28

                                                     

Appriciating Tinga!

For all her hard work, dedication and faithfulness to the school, this week we took the time to honor, celebrate and appreciate our school's secretary Mrs. Tinga!