School days...

“Miracle, do you know why you are named Miracle?” I asked him this, because as I walked into his empty classroom, I found him on the floor with his head covered as if he was upset. I probed him with many questions, and even got a smile out of him and eventually we sang a song together. Turns out he was being punished by the teacher and missed tea. This classroom, which I have adopted in my heart, is a group of very rowdy 1st graders… except Miracle, who is much older and this fact has created a lot of insecurity in him. So, sometimes he misbehaves. The truth is, this class is truly a handful, and the teacher is brand new, having been hired before she had been to teaching school herself. She is learning in the fire for sure. So, as I spoke with Miracle, my heart yearned for him the many things I wish I could magically give each person I meet here. He did not know why he was named Miracle, so I gave him homework to find out, and offered a few guesses about the truth of his name, and saw his demeanor shift. Yay Jesus.

Within minutes, the rest of the class came literally barreling in, falling all over each other, fighting, yelling, and the like. I was immediately attacked by Favor who wanted to show me her hurt toe, Gloria who wanted to show me a letter she wrote to me, and someone I don’t know who wanted to tell on someone. I felt right at home.

I loved on the one who was hurt, broke up the fight and read the letter while hugging Gloria with all of my might to let her know how much her letter meant to me. Oh how I wish I had more arms, more attention, and more love to use. There is just such a powerful need everywhere I turn. His grace is sufficient.

Today, I asked Teacher Irene if I could help her with anything, because she was sick. After I prayed for her, she asked me to teach language. Soon, all I heard was “Teacher, teacher, teacher!”…and little hands pulling my arms, my shirt, and everything they could to get my attention. I made my way to each demand, but took specialty notice of the ones who just weren’t getting it. It was beautiful to sit with them one on one, because I could smile and encourage them personally. Teacher Irene was feeling much better after prayer by the way!

I was also charged with teaching 7th grade history, literature, and spelling today… that was an adventure as well. They were kind and respectful, but... true story, three of them fell asleep as I taught them!!!! It was hot, pouring down rain, and the end of the day after full bellies of posho, which I am told puts people to sleep. I’ll go with that, because I don’t think I can stomach being that boring hahaha!

I ended the day in drama class...rehearsing the Christmas play and filling in for Narrator two. It was a full day for sure.

At the end of the day, what I notice is all the children who linger after the school day has ended. At this school, all the children who attend live in the slum. They have so much life to overcome, and yet there are more smiles than grains of sand. They stay and laugh and “play” with one another and they have to be told to go home by the security guards. Playing is a lot like fighting in the states. These children live life hard and fast because of their circumstances but I am so thankful they have a safe place to learn. I watched today as the security guard Samuel told several preschoolers (yes!!! Preschoolers!!!!) to walk home… he had to kick them out of their classroom! Then I walked into another classroom and found two children reading books, one in a corner all by herself, and another reading to a kindergartner from another class. I sat down beside a child named Jezreel who then read to me from a reader for phonics. It made no difference to him that this was not a beautiful picture book, he just wanted to learn to read and was staying at school to do just that. I celebrated Jezreel as he read to me, and prayed that he would always love to learn as much as he currently does.

Today was filled with beautiful moments, hard moments, and all the in between. I am so grateful to be living life here and learning so much. Please pray for me as I seek wisdom about my next steps in this journey… and for all the children at this school to know how much they are loved, and how important they are.