We were prepared for a woman from the area to come at 7:00 am to show us her wares for sale; she had a few small items, and we spent a little time with her.
We went on to breakfast, and were able to enjoy Miss Angie’s wonderful cooking. She is woman of faith who continues to joyfully touch each life around her. We found out that she has no small knives for paring – only the large machete like knives – which she wields with great skill, although, she does say not to stand too closely! We’re glad we are not the chickens she prepares!
Upon returning to the Mission House for our morning team devotional, Lucretia gave a wonderful devotional on forgiveness. We were reminded that forgiveness is a choice and that God chose to forgive us in spite of and because of our sinfulness. Our morning team devotionals continue to be a source of strength and inspiration on which to base our days – giving testimony to the fact that a quiet time with Lord early in the morning “availeth much!”
I missed talking about our prayer walking the children’s playground in yesterday’s blog, so I want to be sure to include it today. A structure that began as a giant sandbox bordered by concrete, grew into a full fledged playground – complete with roof to protect from rain and sun, a fence to protect from animals and a set of equipment on which to swing and climb.
The ongoing efforts of our mission teams from year to year have created this facility to serve the children by providing a safe, clean and protective area in which to play. As we prayed over the playground, we were reminded of how Jesus welcomed the little children and made an example of how important these little ones are to Him. We not only prayed for their safety and their joy in just being children; but also, that each child who entered the playground would make the decision to “make Jesus the boss of his or her life.”
We had the privilege of doing the children’s chapel time this morning. Miles and Landan took the upper grades; Lucretia and Brianna took the middle grades; and Alex and I took the lower grades. We all enjoyed the interaction and the opportunity to share principles of God’s Word with the children at TCA. They are sponges for the Lord! The hope is that they will go out into their homes and communities and be like little lightning bugs at night – bringing light into places of darkness.
We helped prepare for the 8th grade graduation, known here as Standard Six. There were six graduates this year, and they were just awesome! There was a humorous valedictory address by the leading student, and certificates of achievement in various subjects. Each student shared their favorite scripture and why it was their favorite. When we realize that there will be at least one if not more out of this small group that will not get to go on to high school, it is sobering to think that this young person will go straight from being a “child” at school into being a laborer, earning his way. What happens to these students who experience such an abrupt departure from learning and fun and enter into the world at large? This is where the hope remains that roots from the teaching ministry of TCA will keep these young ones “rooted and grounded…” The prayer is that they will “be like a tree planted by the water” and that they “shall not be moved” from their faith and dependence on the Lord. Please pray for the six young people, that they will be provided with the opportunity to continue their education, giving them time to mature and grow in stature.
The rest of our evening consisted of a raucous volley ball game with some of the staff and students – this was Landan and Brianna – and finally a trip into town to cool off with ice cream – all the rest of us!!!!
As we settled into the mission house AFTER the ice cream run, we decided we had enjoyed the video series called StoryKeepers by Focus on the Family so much, that we set up the projector and had our own move marathon to see the remaining three videos! A good time was had by all.
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