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"What's your name?"

Our wonderful Bible Club volunteer, Bobby, told me this story from a recent day:

Okay, so two little children came in together to Bible Club, and I began the registration process. I asked the little boy his name. I could not understand him, but finally figured out he was saying Marquis (first name). Then, I asked what grade he was in. “Kindergarten," he said. Then the little girl said, "No, he's in the second grade." I asked him, "Kindergarten or second grade?" He said, “Yes." I finally figured it out - Kindergarten. So, I then asked the little girl her name.  She said, “Marquis.” I  told her she could not be Marquis also. Then one of the other Bible Club volunteers who had overheard our conversation wisely asked the little girl, "What does the teacher call you at school?” The little girl said, "Sit down."

Little Victories

Someone asked me the other day what ‘victories’ I had seen working in Marks Village. What was that one story that let me know that I was doing what God had sent me to do? It was a difficult question to answer. I couldn’t think of one story and certainly not one big victory. Big victories take time, they take perseverance, they take stumbles, and a few failures to make them stand out as that one memory. I don’t have that one big memory…yet. But I do have little victories, moments that I can see God working in my life and in the lives of those in Marks Village. 

This past Tuesday at Reading Club, one student read aloud for the entire DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) Time without his buddy reading at all and he enjoyed it! Another student finished her work in order to be able to read a new Dora book. Yet another student sat down and read a book about Monster Cars and was able to share what he read! There were smiles and giggles. These are victories. 

One student has been having trouble with respect but had a fantastic day! I shared with my husband saying, “She had a great day! She spoke in a British accent all day, which was interesting, but such a great day!” What a fun victory!

I asked the students in Family Meeting to finish the sentence “God is…”. They said love, Spirit, savior, all-powerful, and Hero among many more! These are victories! They are learning who God is and can tell you about him

Jesus: Masseuse

Don’t kids just bring everything into perspective sometimes!  Yesterday during Bible Club, we were reviewing Jesus’ final acts during Passover the night before His crucifixion.  I turned to one of my 1st grade boys Anthony and asked, “Anthony, do you remember what Jesus did to serve His 12 friends and teach them about serving others?”  Looking at the picture prompts being using to help the kids remember, Anthony boldly replied, “He gave them a foot massage.” 

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I would love a good foot massage from Jesus!  In all seriousness, I need Jesus to touch my feet - make these tired feet into feet that would carry the Gospel into dark places, into broken homes, into hurting hearts, into the souls of His children who desperately need to be touched by the nail pierced hands that purchased our salvation and restored us to our Father. 

Yes, Jesus, my feet need a good foot rub!

Praying to our Daddy in Heaven

How great a joy it is to spend the morning talking with God! I have been reminded in the past several weeks of the enjoyment that comes from spending time with the Father. Yet it has taken me a long time to come to this point in my prayer life. I remember memorizing the Lord’s prayer as a child, reciting “Now I lay me down to sleep…” and “God is great, God is good…”. I remember being nervous to pray out loud in front of a group, and more recently learning how to pray through scripture. Each little step; however small, has helped me to grow.

Two weeks ago in Reading Club we spent some time asking for prayer requests and praying together in small groups. It was such a sweet and wonderful time. We listened to all of their requests reminding them that God listens to our requests. We prayed for each other, because even Jesus himself prays for us!

Our youngest group asked mainly that they would have different fruits of the Spirit that we have been learning. Praise God that they understand that these come from him! When was the last time that greater love for others or self-control topped your prayer list?

Our older groups asked for more requests dealing with fear, whether wanting to do well in school or wanting the shooting to stop in Gate City. One student wanted prayer to learn to pray out loud. Again, when did that top your list?

I was thrilled to be able to give scripture passages to students and their Reading Buddies the next week based on their requests. In pairs, they prayed through the verses knowing that God knew about their request before they even asked and he deeply cares for them. What a privilege it is to see children learning how to talk to their Daddy! They are reminding me how to pray as much as we are teaching them.

Please join us in prayer here!

Reading Club's First Field Trip

The Reading Club went on a field trip this week! We had a fabulous visit. Our tour guide helped us to learn about math, science, and history in a fascinating way. When I say “us”, I mean the adults too! We toured the museum and asked abundant questions. We climbed in some aircraft and then made our own planes and sent them on a test flight! What a fun trip!

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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.