R.A.F.T. Part 1

In my training we learned the acronym RAFT- to be used in times of change and transition as a tool for leaving and entering well. This stands for:

R is for Reconciliation.

A is for Affirmation

F is for Farewell

T is for Think Destination.

I will be using these with my students over the next few weeks as they transition from school time to summer. Also we have 2 families leaving Mali and this will allow their children to leave BCA well.

But this is not just for students- I am going through a time of transition as well when I head to Oregon for the summer. It IS going to be a change, especially since I have rooted myself in Mali over the past year. So join the next few blogs as I build my own R.A.F.T.!

Think Destination

It is exciting for me to think of going home, but I am also anxious- there are many changes that have taken place and I need to be mentally and emotionally prepared for them.

That being said here are my top five things I am looking forward to most during my visit to the USA-

1. Seeing family and friends. I have missed you all the past year and look forward to fun chats and good times.

2. Foods! I eat well in Mali, don’t get me wrong! But Bagels, cream cheese (for less than $7), fancy coffee, QDOBA and convenient fast foods… YUM!

3. My car. I look forward to the freedom of jumping in my car and taking a drive. In Bamako I rely on public transportation and friends and I miss the freedom!

4. A summer job! I will be working part time with Wilderness International as an assistant team leader for conservation teams. This is a ministry focused on providing job opportunities for at-risk youth. So, I will be going from missionary kids, to at-risk youth, back to missionary kids. FUN

5. Cooler weather. The heat of the Oregon summer will be comparable to cold season here in Mali- Bring it on!

Why can’t we get along Charlie Brown?

“I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. “ 1 Corinthians 1:10

As a body of Christ, it is important to get along. Whether it is at school with your classmates, or in the office with co-workers, finding ways to work together is important!

This year, I have had to set an expectation of cooperation in my classroom.

I work at an international school and in my class alone there are students from five different countries. Throw in four languages, a variety of cultures, and, well, growing up- that can be a recipe for conflict.

However, I serve a God that loves His children, and through that overflowing love, my students have learned to see the world through the eyes of Jesus.

Most of the time they work together, share, play together and for the most part– get along.

This Spring I had the privilege of writing and co-directing the elementary musical. The music teacher and I decided to put on a show featuring Charlie Brown characters with the theme of getting along– something part of their everyday life.

We cast the play the end of February have been working hard since. Last Friday we had our performance and it was AMAZING. The kids were so much fun to watch and they really enjoyed the show.

 

Upper: Schroeder is catcher at the baseball game

Left: Lucy and Marcy write their book report

Right: Several students sing their hearts out in Glee Club

Bottom: Linus and his bird friend dance with their blankets

Let the WORD speak for itself

Lately I have been reminded of the power of the Word of God. I often take the Bible for granted, and forget it’s power, but God has been teaching me that His word really is the bread of life.

As I teach Bible class, I have the natural tendency to try to over-explain things. If we read a verse, I get excited and start talking…blah blah blah.

However, for our Easter lessons, they asked that we read the Easter story and allow the kids to respond to comprehension questions. So I tried it. I read about 2 chapters a day for 4 days out loud to the class. Not only did the kids pick up in new pieces of the story, I was struck with the complete simplicity of the Word of God.

So I decided to try something new. Let the WORD speak for itself. This week the students have been learning about Heaven and Hell. Tough subjects- complicated too. As part of their activity they were to look up verses on Heaven and Hell and learn what the scriptures say. I decided that rather than walk through it as a class, they would work independently- read the verse and write down what it says. So far it worked- I mean, boy did they ask questions!!! But I just let them read the verse over and over and all of the sudden things started to click!

As soon as my mouth shut, Gods can open HIS. And He has much better things to say.

This is true for everyone! I just stumbled upon the controversy surrounding Rob Bells newest book “Love Wins”. It seems to me that Rob started letting himself speak for the Word. His ideas, his understanding, and his desires crept into what the Scriptures really say. It’s easy to do- but scary when it happens.

Tonight I was reading in 2 Samuel 23 and they are some of David’s last words:

1 These are the last words of David:
"The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse,
the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High,
the man anointed by the God of Jacob,
the hero of Israel's songs:

2 "The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me;
his word was on my tongue.

3 The God of Israel spoke,
the Rock of Israel said to me:

David wasn’t speaking here of his words, rather he was speaking the WORD OF GOD given to him directly, without human contamination. And how would you like to have your last recorded words be words that God spoke through you! That would be AWESOME!

It’s important. We must not allow human desires and interpretation to cloud the WORD. As I teach my students I know that I have to be careful to “train them in righteousness”. Allow God’s perfect word to speak rather than my own ideas and agenda. It’s hard, but it’s worth it!