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Reflections on 2015

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2015 has been a wonderful, yet unusual year. It feels like it has spanned two years because of all of the changes that have happened. Halfway through the year, God called me to leave my job as a classroom teacher and step into the unknown with a yet unformed and unnamed non-profit. I thought I would be running a five-day after-school program beginning in the fall and yet God had other plans. Over the next several months, God taught me to trust and love him. When I had no idea what the next day would bring, God was constant. When working from home, instead of among a classroom of children, God was constant. When I missed my students, God was right there. Someone told me recently, “Good for you! You stepped out of your comfort zone, even though it could be uncomfortable.” Well, in some ways they were right, a lot of things about my new life were uncomfortable while God was teaching me, but I have a joy I never could have experienced had God not radically changed my life. So, I think that though it may seem that stepping out of your comfort zone is difficult, I have found joy in letting go. I think not following God is where you will really be uncomfortable.

Our first year as a non-profit, God has truly blessed Oak Tree. These are just a few of the many things that come to mind. During Reading Club before Christmas break, I saw many students during snack time chewing with their mouths closed and one said “excuse me” as she squeezed past me in the doorway. One student walked up to me as soon as she got to club and said, “Ms. Halie, I already had my warning on the bus, so if I be bad today, you need to put me in time out.” I was overjoyed! While manners or even one instance of honesty may seem little, I am so proud of what they are learning so quickly! These 14 students love being with their buddies, they love sharing about their day, and they are excited about reading! What more could we ask?

During Bible Club this fall, every child began learning our new behavioral system and they are thriving! They have learned so much about Jesus and his miracles and I am so excited to see what they absorb through his parables next year. God has given our ministry a building and volunteers to help us clear out the inside. God has deepened our relationships with the families in Marks Village. We are no longer strangers or mere acquaintances; he is making us friends and family.  

While my last semester of teaching feels like a distant memory and the last six months of ministry feels like at least a year, I am thankful for all that God has taught me and all that he has done. God is not done working as midnight rolls around and the New Year dawns. He is busy and I am excited to work with him!

We're Wrapped up in Bible Club

For several weeks we have been talking about Jesus! We have learned who he is, why he came to earth, and what he did while he was here. Yesterday we learned about the miracle when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead! Everyone was truly amazed at what Christ did! We had a contest to see which grade could wrap up “Lazarus” the fastest and the picture is our 4th/5th grade winner. Not only are they excellent “wrappers”, but they can also tell you why we did this fun activity!

          What was also amazing about the day was how much the kids are learning about who God is. During small group time, I asked the question “How do we know that Jesus loved Lazarus?” I was expecting some of the answers I had given them during the lesson: because Jesus cried or because he was Jesus’ friend, but one student surprised me. Honestly, she was a child who has not been a model student the past few weeks and has spent quite a bit of time in time-out, but apparently she has still been listening. She raised her hand and said, “We know Jesus loved Lazarus because Jesus loves everyone.” Why didn’t I think of that!? She was absolutely right, there were many correct answers, including that God is Love.

What Our Students Are Teaching Us

God is amazing in all the ways that he teaches us!

Reading Club is off to a wonderful start! We have had so much fun munching on snacks, playing with Legos, writing spelling words in shaving cream, and exploring our new library!

This past Tuesday, the Reading Buddies met together before the students arrived for our Bible Study time. We were talking about God’s attributes, specifically that he is holy, just, gracious, and the Creator. We read and memorized scripture and then talked about ways that these attributes could flow in our normal conversations with our students. Little did we know, but God was teaching our students the same thing!

During DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) time, one student and her Reading Buddy were reading a book about a horse together. The children in the book were making fun of the horse because she didn’t look like the others. I know what you’re thinking, beautiful teaching moment, right? Well, yes! But, instead of the Reading Buddy beginning, the student looked up and said, “That’s not nice. They shouldn’t make fun of the horse because it’s different.” And as her Reading Buddy agreed the student continued to say, “You know, people do that sometimes too. Children make fun of others because they are different. But we shouldn’t make fun of others because they look different. God is the one who created us all that way.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself! That nine-year old girl just spoke Gospel truth to her Reading Buddy! If that isn’t proof that God is working, I don’t know what is. 

It's Happening!

Things are about to finally get started, and we need your prayer! Today is the first training for tutors at the Reading Club which is kicking off next week! The training starts at 2:30 this afternoon, and we'd love your prayer as the tutors get ready to read.

Pray that the Holy Spirit will fill the room with his counsel, so that everyone can absorb what they need to learn. Pray for each and every tutor that they can feel God's presence and joy, with confidence for the work ahead. Pray for the children with whom they will be working, that their hearts will be prepared for a love of reading and of Christ. 

It's an exciting day, and we're looking forward to the future! If you are praying tonight (or anytime as we get started), let us know via email, Facebook, or Twitter! We love to know when we're being lifted up! 

Books and More Books!

I love bookstores! They seem so inviting. Row after row and shelf after shelf filled with possibilities. What will I find today? When I pick up a book, excitement bubbles over the prospect of something new or nostalgia sweeps over me from adventures past. An unread book is a vault waiting to be opened; information, quests, emotions, and friends. A book complete is a picture album; people I once knew, places I once traveled, fond memories.

When you buy a book you get to take someone else on the journey with you. You can pass the book on to another reader and enjoy reminiscing together when you both have finished. You aren’t keeping the magic all to yourself.

Waiting on God’s timing to begin a tutoring program, I have become an even more voracious reader, determined that my library will have a book that captivates each and every one of the children that walk into it. I wonder which children will be tempted to read by the antics of Henry and Mudge, who will need the thrill of adventure with Percy Jackson, or who will want to be a sleuth with Cam Jansen?

You see, when you experience all sorts of places you could never have imagined, you can’t help but want to share that with others! In the same way, I daily read that there is a God who created the universe, loves everyone despite their sin, and invites them to live with him eternally if they surrender their lives to him. I know a God who loves me and I can't keep that to myself!  

And so with great anticipation, I look forward to sharing my God and my books with a group of students every Tuesday with our reading club!