World Cup!

4 years ago I had just finished college and was on my way to Mali. I remember hearing "world cup" thrown around and I even realized some countries I had visited qualified and were play. Little did I know, 4 years later, I would be surrounded by world cup fever and celebrating along!

One of the joys of living overseas and working in an international context, is my view of the world is so much bigger than it used to be. As I watch parts of games and check in on scores, I realize with well over half the countries I have a personal connection. I know students from Ghana. I lived in Uruguay and have driven past the stadium where the first world cup was held. I felt bitter sweet when Spain wasn't going to the next round because of my many memories there. It's not just a list of countries to me- it's faces, places, and an international community in peaceful celebration.

That being said- I am rooting for Colombia!

Colombia has gone crazy celebrating the World Cup. For the first time in 16 years, Colombia qualified to play in this world-wide sporting event and it has been so fun being in the country as they play. It is hard to describe just how much these games affect daily life here- for example on Tuesday during the game against Ivory Coast I took a bus home and was the ONLY person the bus. The street were deserted as everyone was in their home or at their work watching the game. With every point that was scored, cheers, horns and very loud celebration erupted through out the city. I wasn't even able to watch the game and yet I felt so a part of the joy and fun!

After they won- it was madness outside. I snuck out with my camera and snapped a few shots:

After the win- everyone ran onto the street screaming, blowing horns, and just being excited!

Even taxi decorations now have Colombian flags.

CELEBRATION!

This clip is just a little taste of what the city is like after a game. And we are on the outskirts- I can only imagine down town!

Moment of joy #8.. why I do what I do

This week and next I get to spend some extra time with my students during elementary day camp. This is a time for them to have some extra practice in English and some structure during the vacation time.

This week our theme has been “pizza” and we’ve had a lot of fun making pizzas and talking about our favorite toppings. As part of our lesson today we asked the question “is there pizza in the Bible?”. One of my students answers was actually quite clever- “no- because they didn’t have pizza during those times”. Probably true.

I then asked my students if there was ever food in the Bible. They thought of communion and when Jesus multiplied bread and fish to feed large crowds. I then proceeded to share the story of God providing quail and manna in the desert. We then talked about how God provided for the needs of his people. I then posed the question: “How does God take care of our needs?” and here are my students responses:

Student 1- He gave us Jesus

Student 2- Jesus died on the cross

Student 3- Jesus washes away our sins

They get it!!! They understand that our need is to be close to God and we can’t do that on our own. They realize that Jesus is not only the answer but the provider of this salvation.

I was blown away!

I was expecting answers of God’s provision to be “God gives us food” “God gives us family” “God gives us a home”. Oh, those are all true- but there is so much more than our physical needs and BOY did my kids hit the nail on the head!

There are times when I struggle with teaching in a Christian school. I believe in the transformational power of the gospel. I believe that God longs for us to train His children to know him and love him. But sometimes I doubt that Christians schools really help students understand Christ.

Today I was proved wrong. All year we have been teaching the kids about who God is and His plan for the world. We looked at creation and the beautiful perfect world God created. We saw the fall of man with Adam and Eve. We rejoiced with the birth of the savior. We cried at his painful death for our sake. And we hope in his return. All year we have taught our students these truths. All year we prayed over them and waited on the Lord to work in their hearts. And today I saw these truths rooted in their lives- not by my words or teaching but because they know Jesus. They understand and they believe!

 

Here are some fun pizza activities from this week!

Pizza restaurant dramatic play!

Pizza puzzles

Drawing our favorite pizza and who we eat it with (apparently the dog is hungry too)

Taking my order

Making a yummy pizza!

Painting our paper mache pizzas