Parc W

I already had my bags packed, ready to quickly load up the Land Rover and hit the road!

This past weekend, I joined five friends and coworkers at Sahel Academy for a weekend at Parc W!  After school ended on Friday, we drove a couple hours outside the city to spend two nights on an island in the middle of the Niger River.  Parc W is a National Park covering parts of Niger, Benin, and Burkina Faso, named after the W-shape the Niger River forms.  Our journey meant two hours on the road and about an hour more of driving through the Park to the boat that would take us to the island.  We spotted buffalo and guinea fowl on our way and watched the sunset behind us, baobob trees silhouetting the coral, blue sky.

We parked the car to get into the boat, avoiding giant elephant footprints in the mud as we stepped!  The sun had completely set by then and I lounged in the boat, stretching my arms above the river to feel it's coolness; tipping my head back to watch the stars twinkle.

When we arrived to the island, dinner was ready for us at the small restaurant:  Capitaine fish from the Niger River, rice and fresh peas and carrots.  For dessert, lemon meringue!  We ended the night by finding our cozy cabins for two and figuring out the toilets.  After laying under a blanket of stars and journaling a bit, I nestled into bed under the mosquito net.  I listened to the purr-like roar coming through our windows, cuddled under blankets with socks, sweatpants and long-sleeved jacket to keep warm from the night-time cool coming from the river.

I woke up just in time to watch the sunrise and we all met for breakfast at the restaurant:  fruit, yogurt, bread and jam, and tea!  We set off for a guided tour of the river, soaking in the scenery all around.  I drank in the clear blue sky, the still river reflections, baobob trees growing in the multi-colored rocks, bright green grass shooting up from the river bank.  Birds of all shapes, sizes, and colors flew around, red dragonflies zipped beside the boat.  Cows, sheep, and goats grazed.  We passed villages that appeared to be in the middle of nowhere.  We stopped to snap pictures of a hippo.  We prayed for an elephant siting...and saw a herd of six!  Spots of gray leathery skin showing through the dry mud, trunks outstretched for a green treat.  Amazing!

After our river excursion, we came back to the island for lunch.  An afternoon nap and a bit of time to draw in my sketchbook was a nice change of pace.  Rachel, Lisa, and I explored the island on a hike, conquering the rocks, climbing the heights for a good view.  We traversed the trails, finding trees and unknown fruits.  We found a dead millipede, elephant poop, as well as birds, goats, and lizards.  AND...as we walked the trail, a loud rustling sound came from the bushes next to the path.  I looked over to find an elephant!  Right next to me!  On the river's edge!

We played Quiddler while we watched the glowing orange sun sink below the river.  We waited for dinner:  poulet, chou avec beurre, and puree de pomme de terre.  Fruit cobbler for dessert!  Lisa and I talked late under the stars, grabbing a blanket to lay out on the rocks.  An African night sky seems to have so many more stars than any other!

I woke up before the sun to see it rise over the rocks, the baobob trees silhouetted against the hues of orange and blue.  As we ate breakfast that morning, a herd of elephants was spotted across the river!  Two babies and six adults, eating and drinking as they meandered down the river.  I climbed to the top of the rocks for a better view.  I think I could have watched the elephants all day!

Soon enough, we boarded the boat to make our way back to the car.  Along the way, we saw a trunk peaking up through the water like a straw...sure enough!  It was an elephant taking a morning swim!  We watched him cross the river and climb up the bank.  What an incredible way to end our trip!

We toured a bit more through the Parc as we made our way back to the entrance.  I climbed to the top of the Land Rover to sit with the guide...I was living the African safari dream!  The sun's heat, the wind in my hair - it was too good.  We stopped at the look-out for lunch and finished our journey home after taking a look at the hotel and dipping our feet in the pool.

What an amazing weekend with some amazing ladies, witnessing the wonders of an AMAZING God!  Check out more pictures on my Facebook!

"Praise the Lord.

Praise God in his sanctuary;

praise him in his mighty heavens.

Praise him for his acts of power;

praise him for his surpassing greatness.

...Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord."

-Psalm 150:1-2, 6

In the World, Not of It

That's when I realized, I'm still in the world.

Of course, I'm not going to have the perfect mentor or students, parents or friends.  This world is so full of evil and the day has not yet come in which Jesus makes all things right.  The frustrations that I have had are not specific to Niger.  No matter where I am, the world is still fallen and people will still fail me and I will still mess up immensely.  Why do I forget that so often?

I may be in the world, but I do not need to be of it.

Complaint seems to be justified by the heat and the traffic.  Apathy is excused because sometimes it's just "one of those days" and "everyone has those days."  Avoidance and relationships lacking intention are so common because "I just need time for me."  We are so good at pointing our fingers at the nearest thing to an excuse.

I refuse to partake in it.

Of late, I rarely find myself joyful or encouraging.  If I were my neighbor, I wouldn't even want to be around me!  I'm not lacking joy because there is a shortage, but because I'm looking in the wrong places.  The world does not, it CANNOT offer me joy.  The world is fallen and though God uses it for His good, it will never satisfy.  True and lasting joy can only come from Jesus Christ Himself.  I've been looking in the wrong places.  Though I didn't realize it at first, I was expecting friends here to fulfill and guide me in a way that only Christ can do.  I held myself to such a high and impossible standard, leaving no room for grace.  And sometimes I am so focused on getting a day's tasks done that I forget that my primary purpose is to be with a God who delights in his people.

Think about it.  God actually takes DELIGHT in being with you!  And yet I feel myself grumble every time I reach for my Bible because I didn't get everything I needed to get done today and no one asked me how I was doing and I'm too tired to read anyways.  Wow!  It's a wonder God still desires me!  My heart is so far from Him and yet He pursues me over and again.

I falter and yes, I have "those days."  But may my sole focus and primary goal always be the glory of God.  Do my complaints glorify God?  Ha.  Does my selfishness, denial, or judgement?  Not at all.  God receives glory when we take delight in Him.  And delight is much easier to be had when I am not so concerned with my own agenda.

I am ready to not only pause my desires for my sinful, natural self, but to completely crucify them.  I am so tired of feeling guilty for losing the little battles that take place between my flesh and spirit daily.  It is a matter of the will to surrender completely to God.  The battle is won when we finally realize that we have a choice to make.  And may I always choose joy over cynicism, peace over angst, intentionality over apathy, sacrifice over selfishness.  These are daily decisions of the will.

Praise God, He has given us the power to choose, not because we are strong enough to overcome ourselves, but because Jesus already lived perfectly for us.  And when God looks at me, He doesn't see the filthy mess that I really am.  He sees Jesus Christ in me, white as snow.  I don't understand it, but when we live in Jesus Christ, we live in freedom.

So yes, I live in this world.  But I certainly don't want to be of it.  My God is greater and the same Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead lives and breathes inside of me.  It's time I start living in that reality.  Praise God, I am new!

Seasons

Back in July, when I was first preparing to come to Africa, I knew it would be hot.  I tried to mentally prepare myself for the intense heat I imagined I'd feel by going for runs during the hottest time of the day.  And let me assure you, it gets very, very hot here.  However, I felt quite unprepared for the past six weeks or so.  Beginning in December, the temperature cooled down quite a bit!  I found myself wanting to wear socks around the house and putting on jackets and (...I would never have guessed!) even scarves!  I even had my dad leave one of his sweatshirts behind for me.  It was quite a delightful surprise, this "Cool Season."  Allow me to summarize.  Here are a few ways to know that it's winter in Niger :)

1. You can wear your hair down all day.
2.  You need a scarf AND jacket just to keep from freezing on your early morning commute to school.
3.  Shaving becomes tricky when you can't keep your legs from getting goosebumps.
4.  You wish you had a pair of slippers to create a barrier between your feet and the cold tile floor.
5.  You can wear jewelry again because you don't sweat nearly as much, which typically creates a lovely green tarnish on your neck or wrists.
6.  Running in the afternoon is quite pleasant and if you run at night, you don't even break a sweat because it's so cold.
7.  You don't use your air conditioner for two whole months!
8.  Sleeping at night requires at least 2 blankets and a sheet.
9.  Getting out of bed in the morning becomes increasingly difficult, because your bed is, oh, so warm.
10.  There has hardly been a cloud in the sky for weeks.

In addition to the coolness, things have been a bit dusty.  When it hasn't rained for weeks in a sub-Saharan location like Niamey, well, let's just say it's easier to remember you live in a desert.  During the cool months, a hot, dry wind called Harmattan blows from the northeast, affecting much of West Africa.  If you look at the map below, you can see that Harmattan is heaviest in the lower half of Niger, right where Niamey is!  This wind is so strong, it can carry huge amounts of dust hundreds of kilometers over the Atlantic Ocean!  Here are a few ways to recognize Harmattan:

1.  Turning on the shower creates a small puddle of mud in the tub.
2.  Things look normal until you put your hand down and find a hand print where your palm has picked up the dust.
3.  Your once-white clothes are more off-white now.
4.  If you blow your nose, your boogers will be brown.
5.  The air has a certain dusty smell to it.  All the time.
6.  It's so dry without the rain, making everything extremely full of static electricity...from hair to skirts to paper!
7.  Even your bed sheets smell like dust.
8.  You can draw pictures on the toilet seat with your finger.
9.  Your hands and feet never feel really clean.
10.  There is so much dust in the air, you cannot distinguish the line between the river and the sky!

I am so grateful for the beautiful weather we have had!  And although it has begun to heat up again this week (triple digits!), I am clinging to cool season as long as possible!  No AC for me until I'm desperate :)  Bon chance!

From My Eyes

"'I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.'"  John 16:33

"Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. [...] But I trust in you, O LORD; I say 'You are my God.'  My times are in your hands....  Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD."  Psalm 31:9, 14-15, 24

I continue to process the events of about a week ago.  It's God's Word that keeps me grounded.  Questions seem to go unanswered, but they are readily replaced with Peace.

The first week of classes went well, but Friday afternoon came as a relief.  Readjusting to the early mornings, introducing a new student to the class, and getting back into the swing of things after a long 3 week break left me quite ready for a weekend.  Friday night was full of excitement as my new housemate just got engaged!  Friends and I went to the "after-party" to help celebrate.  We had a girls' night sleepover watching chick-flicks, waking up in the morning to have hot pancakes.  No sooner had we eaten the pancakes when we started to get word of some unrest in town.

Six churches burned.  

I began to pray as I put essentials into a "go-bag," passport, cash, meds, change of clothes.

Many singles and families living in town came to Sahel's campus or to nearby houses for safety.  We played "musical houses" that night in order to accommodate.  By Saturday night, we had word that over 40 churches were burned, destroyed, vandalized.

Sunday morning was quiet.  All those staying on campus gathered in the dorm to worship and pray.  And while I did not feel fear or hysteria, I was deeply troubled, heart heavy.  And how can I carry on my life as normal, plan for another week of school when disaster leaves almost all the churches of the city in ruins?

While little activity was reported Sunday, school was cancelled Monday as a precaution.  Praise God for a day to sit and process.  Initial shock of the entire situation gave way to lament and tears.  And yet story after story of God's faithfulness:

Two teachers took the senior class on a camping trip.  As they packed up to leave Saturday morning, the van wouldn't start.  Little did they know that the delayed start to the morning kept them from entering town when the protests began.  They made it back to town safely that afternoon, sheltering with a family near the edge of town until things calmed down a bit.

My new housemate and others were just outside of town leading a weekly kids ministry when everything started.  And it "just so happened" that a lady they know from the embassy and a couple military men were present, providing the entire team of about a dozen safe transport and a place to stay for the rest of the day and through the night.

A friend's house was attacked, but the neighbors jumped the fence in order to put the fire out before it could spread and destroy anything.  The same thing happened to another.

Some report that nearly 70 churches were destroyed.  A pastor boldly stated, "They missed the real church."  How true.  God's people are the church.

Tuesday morning came and school resumed.  Ready to face the day, I interrupted our regular routine by talking with my second graders about what happened over the weekend.  Almost every single child had a direct or indirect connection to the events.  The class was silent as they intently listened to one another.  One's grandparents' house burned, everything gone.  A couple others' families evacuated their houses to hide out in safer places.  Some students' families are facing pressure from their sending agencies to flee the country.  A student's father's shop was attacked twice.  We discussed words like persecution, and talked about how to respond.  The students volunteered answers about how to love and forgive those who had been a part of the protests.

We finished by forming a circle to hold hands and bring our requests and praises to God.  Theses little ones took turns asking God for protection and for changed hearts.  They praised God that only buildings were burned, that we still had a school to go to, and for God's love for us.  The tragedy of the weekend was very real, but those moments of talking together as a class were like beauty in the ashes.

I am so grateful to God for his provision and peace.  Just a week before at NEWS (Niamey English Worship Service), we heard a challenging message about whether or not we really believe that "The will of God is the safest place to be."  My notes from that Sunday read, "Do I trust God?  If I can trust Him with my eternity, can't I trust Him now on earth?"  The Lord knew we needed to hear that message.  Read Matthew 10:16-20 for context.

All in all, the mission community is a bit shaken.  The aftermath has affected so many homes, families, churches, and even schools.  Please pray for peace.  Pray that God's Kingdom would be furthered because of the unity of the Body.  Pray for strength and especially the safety of pastors and their families.  Pray for wisdom for leaders.  Pray for the students who are continuing to process (some lost everything, others found out their home church burned down, and many were shaken).  Praise God that only buildings were destroyed and that He is sovereign over every detail.

A M*sl*m leader came to a missionary friend and said, "I hope that you do not treat us the same way that we have treated you."  There is a powerful testimony to be had in God's love and forgiveness.  Thank you for praying for Niger.

Photo Credit:  Danette Childs

"Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.  Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken."  Psalm 62:1-2

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Sahel Academy's website:  http://sahelacademy.com/2.0/caring-for-students-in-difficult-days/ 

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If you would like to contribute toward rebuilding what has been destroyed, please follow the link and use the information below.  May you be richly blessed as you give.

SIM USA
Go to:  https://web.simusa.org/Give/projects.php

SIM Canada
Go to:  https://www.sim.ca/project-donate-p8250.php?PJID=304&pdm=category&n=Unlisted+Project 

Project name:  Niger Persecution Relief
Project number:  97308

Photo Credit:  Danette Childs

A New Year

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from me and my housemates!
(And our diva Charlie Brown Christmas tree.)

"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends:  With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day."  -2 Peter 3:8

It's a new year and I have lived in Niger for FIVE months!  The time has gone by so quickly and it has me thinking about what I have learned these past few months.

I officially survived the first half of my first year of teaching on December 17th!  I started the year with 14 students and finished first semester with 16!  Second semester will begin with 17 and the Lord knows if I will get any more students before the year is done!  Thank you for praying me through my first half of the year.  It is by God's grace that I was able to accomplish anything in my classroom!  I have grown to love these students and appreciate how the Lord has wired them.  They are an incredibly unique bunch of kids and that's what makes teaching so interesting.  The languages, laughter, and teachable moments has made second grade an incredible joy to teach.  It is easy to reflect on this past semester and remember all the times I messed up or failed to have patience or totally bombed a lesson.  It takes a bit more effort to remember those times and be assured that Christ redeems those moments and uses them for good.  Despite my shortcomings, God shines through.  And that is something to rejoice about!  Praise God He is in control!

After closing assembly, I hopped in the school van and joined 4 other teachers at Sahel Academy on a trip to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso!  We drove 9 hours and spent about 4 days exploring the city.  I know I was still in Africa, but wow!  It was so different from Niamey - the roads, the driving, the women's clothes, the bikes, the stores.  One of my favorite places that we visited was the Artisan Village.  There were some amazing souvenirs ranging from wooden animals to colorful batiks to jewelry and shoes, belts and dresses to drums and metal art.  Seeing it all was most of the fun!  And what a joy and pleasure it was to spend time with these more experienced missionaries and teachers.  Card games, laughter, early morning croissants, and late night dinners, shopping, driving, and more shopping - these are some memories I'll never forget.

The five teachers at the Burkina Faso border!
The man kindly took our picture and then proceeded to tell me he would visit me.  Ha.

Two days after returning from Burkina, my parents came to visit for a week during Christmas!  This is the best time of year to visit and we enjoyed gorgeous weather the whole time - blue skies, sunshine, and 80 degree weather!  We kept busy all week with various activities.  On day one we walked to the Fuloni Market to shop for fabric, and then go to the tailor and have shirts made for my brothers and dad.  That night we joined about 8 other families at the sand dunes on Christmas Eve.  I will never forget digging my toes into the sand as we sat around the campfire singing Christmas carols under a dark night's glittering sky, me snuggled between mom and dad.  It was perfect.  On Christmas day, Dad made waffles for mom, me, and my adopted sister Lisa!  It was so good to have her with us for the week and she graciously drove us everywhere we needed to go!  After skyping in with the siblings (how cool is it that technology allowed the whole family to be together even an ocean apart!), we went to my neighbor's for Christmas dinner!  My parents were able to meet many of the people who make up my new Niger family :).  We enjoyed the food and company immensely!  On Friday, we spent the morning looking for the giraffes and saw 6!  That same afternoon, we took a boat ride to see the hippos!  Our friends from Maradi were in town, so we had lunch with them and their parents (who were also visiting) the next day!  What a delight to make home connections with people in Niger.  The rest of my parents' stay was filled with late night chats, movies and popcorn, dinner out, African church, and a school tour.  The last evening of their stay, we went to get brochettes and fries as the sun set over the Niger River!  It couldn't have been better :).  Thank you for your prayers - my parents arrived and left safely.  The whole week was a wonderful reminder of God's provision and love.

Lisa, me and my parents at the sand dunes on Christmas Eve!

After my parents left, a new housemate moved in and Rachel returned from France.  We also celebrated the New Year by getting together for food and games and then watching the fireworks from the dike beside the river, right in our backyard!  (And don't forget the lovely scare that the high school boys gave me...there's no way to welcome the New Year like being pranked!)

Mom, Dad, and the boys in their new African shirts and skirt!
I was able to Skype the family after the New Year to be all together again :)

Beginning January 3rd, SIM held a 4 day Spiritual Life Conference at Sahel Academy for all of their missionaries based in Niger.  We worshiped, ate delicious food, heard awesome messages, and enjoyed the fellowship of new and familiar faces.  On the last day of Conference, it hit me.  Over 250 missionaries sitting in Hope Hall, learning and praying together; missionaries who have given up the comforts of "home" to follow the call of God.  And I am one of them.  I realized what a privilege it is to partner with such amazing people in spreading the Gospel throughout Niger.  And how humbling to share with them the title "missionary."  It still feels a bit uncomfortable.  It seems to imply that I know what I'm doing and having a great impact on those around me.  And Lord willing, there is fruit.  But I haven't quite wrapped my mind around owning this new title.  Praise God that He never changes, He is my Rock.  And He uses the weak and humble, that's me.

After 5 months of living in Niger, juggling culture, people, and a new job, I found the Spiritual Life Conference to be a great reminder of a few things:  The main message that speaker and SIM president of Niger Joshua Bogunjoko conveyed was that of JOY.  In order to serve with joy, we need to know who we are in Christ and we cannot have successful trust partnerships until we can define our identity in Jesus.  My identity affects every single one of my relationships.  Paul introduces himself in the book of Philippians as a bondservant of Jesus...not as a missionary or church leader.  And he refers to the Philippians as saints because God was at work in their hearts, not because of anything they had done.  Productivity, rather than relationship, becomes the driving force when our self-worth is based on our competence.  But Joshua reminded us that we are "human beings," not "human doings."  I learned so much as we explored the book of Philippians and I am continuing to process all that was said!

Also during break, I had a birthday!  My parents celebrated with me while they were here.  My neighbor made a delicious meal and mom made brownies to sing Happy Birthday to me.  It just so happened that my birthday fell on one of the Conference days, so about 250 missionaries sang to me as I turned bright red.  And just the other night some friends took me out for dinner!  Thank you to everyone who sent gifts and cards for Christmas and my birthday this year!  Even though I am thousands of miles away, I felt the love of friends and family back home.  23 is going to be a good year!

23 candles and I blew them all out :)

As I type, I am currently in my classroom which has been newly arranged and is now somewhat ready for my students to return on Tuesday, January 13th.  Christmas break, although long, was full of activity and adventure, making it feel rather short.  It's difficult to believe that second semester is already here!

I am thankful for all that God has done here and praise Him for all that He is going to do.  God is Sovereign, Trustworthy, and He satisfies my soul because He is enough.  Be blessed by your Creator today and enter into His Presence.  Let Him change your heart, mind, attitude and soul.

Please pray for me this semester.  Pray that God would give me insight and sensitivity toward my students and the other missionary kids at Sahel Academy.  Pray that I might be able to say, just as the Apostle Paul said, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1).  Pray that time does not become an idol for me, and that I may rest in God's Sovereignty.  Pray that the people of Niger, and even the mission community in which I live, will see a marked difference in the way that I live and love those around me in the joy of Christ.

Thank you for faithfully supporting me with your prayers and encouragement!  Thank you for wrestling before God on my behalf.  I cannot even begin to tell you what an incredible blessing it has been to experience the Body of Christ in such a way.  Thank you for living out the Gospel in your own lives.  May we be encouraged by each other's obedience to the call of God in our lives.  And may Christ be exalted.


"'You are my witnesses,' declares the Lord, 'and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.'" - Isaiah 43:10

Christmas in the Classroom

Second grade has been learning about Christmas around the world.  So for the past couple weeks, we've been celebrating Christmas!  Since Niger does not get snow and there aren't too many Christmas decorations in a primarily Muslim country, second grade has helped me get in the Christmas spirit!

Miss Farrer, the elementary principal, came in as a guest reader to tell us about the legend of the candy cane!

We made all kinds of Christmas decorations for our bulletin board!

Dr. Waldron came in to play a few Christmas carols on her harmonica!  The kids hummed along and sang the words to "Silent Night." 

Mrs. Eberle made an amazing pinata for our class!  We learned about Christmas in Mexico...what better time to have a pinata?!

It was actually quite difficult to break open!

And of course, we ended the day with cookies and candies galore!

Miss Knox and her second graders, halfway through the year!

Healing

Teaching at a school for mostly missionary kids has given me a new perspective.  This constantly changing community has given me an appreciation for what missionaries and TCKs (third culture kids) experience.

Last week I said goodbye to a very good friend of mine.  We met upon my arrival in August, as she had just arrived a few days earlier.  And then 4 months, like a flash, was packed full of memories together and we cling to them on our separate continents.  Yet again, I must say goodbye to a dear friend this week.  And I dread it because my heart is raw.  Life is so rich because of the relationships that we form with one another.  And so I praise God that it is difficult to say goodbye.  And I ask Him to make it a "see you later."  When hearts share experiences, strong bonds are formed.  And while it feels like those bonds are painfully breaking, that I'll have to start all over and open up to someone new, I know God is trustworthy in ALL things.

And so, here I feel like a missionary kid.  Vulnerable, hurting, doubting.  And then I am reminded of who God is:

I have a student who is new to Sahel Academy this year.  He has had quite a difficult time adjusting to Niger and often talks about his old friends and his first grade teacher from back home.  My heart breaks for him because he has made the choice to put up walls and is sometimes quite a bully to his peers.  I had a long conversation with him one day about his poor attitude and choice to block others out.  This struggling 7 year old told me that the kids in the class are "annoying and bothersome."  Ha.  I told him I know people like that too and we still need to obey Jesus' Word to love our neighbors.  I asked him if he thought he'd have a very good time in Niger if he didn't make any friends.  "No," was his hesitant response.  As we continued to talk, we decided that it was his choice whether or not he would make friends and enjoy his time in Niger.  Because I had 14 other students waiting for me, our conversation ended and his attitude continued to scream "Keep away!"

The story continues:  Just last week, we added a new student to our 2nd grade class.  I spoke to the class before she came to let them know they would have a new peer.  I asked the struggling-to-adjust student to share his experiences of being the "new kid" in school.  This rarely quiet class didn't make a sound, eyes glued, as their peer spoke about how he'd felt scared and nervous.  He told us he missed his friends back home.

I asked the class to raise their hand if anyone else missed someone to whom they had to say goodbye.  Every hand went up.  Second graders began to share the places they've been and the friends and family they miss so much.  We looked at the world map and fingerprints covered continents as students began pointing to all the places they had friends and family.  I told them about the friend to whom I said goodbye last week.  We came up with ideas about how to make the new student (who came just this past week) feel loved and welcomed.  It was a precious moment in second grade that day.  The vulnerability and honesty of one hurting student led to such meaningful and powerful conversation.  A glimpse of healing.

And at the end of the day, this same struggling student came to me.  "Miss Knox, I have some good news," he told me.  "I made a friend today."  I couldn't help but to burst with excitement!  "Wow!!  That is so exciting!  I am so proud of you!"  What a celebration!  When the students wanted to know what happened, I let him share with his peers the good news.  More healing.

My heart breaks for these little ones who know no stability.  And so I am thankful for the rock solid constancy of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  And I praise God for the small victories that come through the ministry of relationships.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."  Hebrews 13:8