Lord, Teach us to Pray

Luke 11:1- Lord, teach us to pray.

Today at ECA in both middle and elementary we were able to gather with our students to lift up Colombia. There is a very important vote taking place on Sunday, and the Colombian Evangelical church has claimed today, Sept. 30, a day of prayer. ECA students and teachers decided to take part during school hours and together we lifted up voters, political leaders and asked God to bring Biblical peace to this beautiful country.

Students in elementary met with small group leaders praying for about an hour this morning. We spent time reading and meditating on verses, praying for political leaders by name, asking for God to give wisdom to voters and expressing through art our dreams for Colombia.

My prayer for students as they move forward is as follows: "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Kinder students drawing pictures of their dream for their country

Art work from Elementary and Middle school was hung in the stairs

Praying together and drawing dreams of Colombia

Kinder students praying together for Colombia

More kinder students praying

PK students also got to pray together

Copying and meditating on verses about prayer

4th graders drawing dreams for Colombia

1st graders praying together

More 1st graders praying together for the election

Third graders praying and writing verses

Writing verses and praying for peace

Now let's talk a little about this election. For 56 years, the socialist group, the FARC has terrorized many parts of Colombia, pushing the military into a brutal battle. For the past 4 years leaders of the FARC and Colombia have met with international peacemakers to draft a treaty between the two organizations.

Because of the many implications of this treaty, the ultimate decision of whether it is signed will be left to the people of Colombia. This Sunday a vote will take place of "yes" or "no".

Peace sounds so good, but what makes this controversial is the fine print of this almost 300 page document. Many people worry that the treaty is too nice; FARC leaders are not given the justice they deserve. They also worry that through this treaty FARC leaders will be guaranteed positions in both the senate and the house of representatives. By allowing leaders from a different political ideology it will influence the political direction Colombia will take in the future.

On the other hand, there is promise of rehabilitation for those in the drug trade, restoration of farm land, and rebuilding of communities destroyed by the conflict.

In the end, there is no easy answer. Regardless of the outcome there will be many long-term implications for Colombia and international relations. It is interesting to be in the midst of such an important time in Colombian history.

If you are interested in learning more here are some articles with information on the vote and conflict in Colombia:

Explaining Colombia's Peace Plebecite

Colombia's Peace Talks Fact Sheet

What is at Stake in the Colombian Peace Process

When God doesn't do what you want

View of our front door. I love the beautiful flowers that greet me!

Welcome back to Bogota! Or at least that's how I am feeling right now. It's so good to be back, however I feel like I have hit the ground running. School starts tomorrow with new teacher orientation and it's been a blast getting to know our new staff and showing them around.

However, as we begin, life has also been a little scary. We are less than two weeks away from having kiddos walk in the door and we still have many teaching spots left open. Our director has been working hard, writing emails, calling and banging on any doors that might work. But, it seems as if God is not answering.

Today in church the pastor must have read my mind and my preoccupations. He preached from Habakkuk (side note: how do you say Habakkuk?). The first few verses of the first chapter highlight the prophet Habbakuk's call out to the Lord, begging His presence to be known.

Then God responds in verse 5: "Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told" (ESV).

I was fairly optimistic while he started his sermon expecting the "all things work together for good" outcome, highlighting a loving and caring God.

But as the verses continue, God declares the horrors he is going to allow. The rise of the Chaldeans described as "bitter" "fearsome" "violent" "declaring their own might as their god".

So....... "you would not believe" is not referring to the good things to come. Rather it is in reference to the bad things to come. Like really bad. Like taken captive and made slaves bad.

As the pastor expanded into the passage he didn't try to gloss over the challenges and the truth: God does allow and enables bad things to happen.

Right now in life is seems as if God is not making things easy. We are missing teachers and challenging situations have led to many last minute plans falling through. Now the question is how do I respond? Do I get angry? Do I doubt God's plan? Do I walk away?

I can. It's all normal human reaction, however at this moment I am telling myself "God is sovereign" "God knows what He is doing" "God's plans are bigger than my own". Mark tells us about a father went to Jesus asking for his son to be healed. Jesus replied “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:23-24).

That is my prayer... help my unbelief. I don't have control of the circumstances; but I believe God does. Whether it is staffing for the school year or the elections in the USA or family struggles or really anything. I believe God is in control. It may not seem good at the time but it is good because God is good and He is in control on this earth.

Love your neighbor

As a teacher of PK I love to intentionally plan fun and meaningful activities for my students. This week we have been learning about the parable the good Samaritan focusing on God's love for us. Three years ago I found a great picture that shows how the Good Samaritan is a reflection of Christ. Although my students developmentally are not really for big abstract concepts, I thought I would see what they thought of the picture.

As I asked them what they saw, most reflected on the Good Samaritan helping the stranger or the donkey. However after probing deeper they recognized the cross. As I asked them why the cross was there, a light went on for many students as they realized that the cross is God's love, just like the Good Samaritan is God's love. Although my students are small, I am so blessed to build into them a deeper and more meaningful understanding of God's GREAT love for us. 

As a time of personal reflection, I asked each student to draw a picture of them helping another person. The majority chose to draw helping a friend who had fallen and gotten hurt- well connected with the Good Samaritan story- and as I asked them if they were showing God's love, you could see their pleasure with knowing they were reflecting Christ to one another. As a representation of that love, I would draw a cross on their picture like the example. My hope is that  as they see their art, they can internalize that they can be God's love to others- just like the Samaritan!

My work as a teacher is more than teaching English or how to count or how to be a good friend. My job as a teacher is to bring each one of my students little bit closer in their relationship with God. I can't think of a better job in the world!

Things on my mind...

1. We started classes again on Wednesday and it was so great to be back with the kiddos! After a season of  working with a student teacher, visitors, lots of 3 day weekends due to holidays and just the general craziness of the Christmas season it was nice to be back with my kiddos in our normal routine.

2. Burkina Faso. Although we no longer live in West Africa, the events happening in that area of the world impact our hearts. This weekend there was a terrorist attack in Ouagadougou (try saying that 3 times fast) where at least one foreign missionary was killed along with many others. Although we personally do not know the family, we understand how an event like this can lead to fear, Spiritual attacks and lots of pain. Our hearts and prayers are with the missionary community as well as the Christian and Muslim population. Also, an Australian couple has been kidnapped. They live and work in the northern part of the country near Mali and are some of the only medial staff in the area.

3. The school is prayerfully considering starting a process of growth. Right now we are exploring options of how to make it happen in a organized and feasible way. Please pray with us as we seek God's plan for ECA's future.

4. Recently Colombian was named the happiest place on earth. It's pretty great to be living in a country where people are really happy. Although I have no "proof", this comes at no surprise as the Gospel continues to reach more and more Colombians and the Christian church continues to grow each year. The fact that I get to be a small part of bring God's joy and peace to this country makes me very, well, happy! Also, dont believe me? Come visit and we can show you first-hand.

5. New projects. I have been working with a church on the coast who is wanting to start a Christian school. This is in the very beginning stages, and it is still unclear how deeply I will be involved in the project, but it is exciting to see what God is doing and be a part of His work.

Visiting with leaders of a potential new school on the coast of Colombia.

All in all- there are moments of being overwhelmed and I feel a little of all emotions at the same time. I know that God is working and all I need to do is obey Him- day by day and minute by minute. God is doing awesome things in Colombia and around the world. Times may seem crazy, overwhelming, sad and joyful- but our hope can only be found in the Lord. Trust and obey.

Fall Festivities

Growing up in Oregon, I can argue that fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year. The leaves change colors to brilliant oranges, yellows and reds. Rain has not yet set in so the air feels crisp and fresh. Everyone takes trips to farms to find the perfect pumpkin to decorate the house. It's a refreshing, fun time of year.

Living in Colombia- one of the most naturally beautiful countries I have seen- means that there are no seasons. As part of our school curriculum to teach USA culture, kinder introduces the concept of seasons to students growing up in a season-less climate. This year the kinder teacher asked if my PKers would like to join her class for a fall celebration to help students really understand the fun and beauty of fall. Missing the States more than usual I quickly agreed!

We contacted parents and planned a fun afternoon of all things fall! Hay rides (in a wagon), a pumpkin patch, bobbing for apples, photo booth, and the classic donut on a string activity. We also had parents make traditional fall treats: pumpkin bread, apple crisp, and pumpkin pie. Students got to see, fell and taste the fall season from many parts of the USA and I got to abate my homesickness!

God's love!

This month in our newsletter I was able to share some parent feedback about how they see their child growing in God's love! I wasn't able to put all the quotes into the newsletter, but since each story was personal and a great testimony I thought would share all of them here on the blog.

Enjoy!

-Our son is a very affectionate child. That being said, many times his reactions isolated him and it is hard for him to relate with others. The topic of love has been a great welcome to him from the school. I believe he will learn to relate to others and build relationships with all people through love, which can be shown through actions and patience. The most incredible thing is to hear him speak of God's great love for us through his creation. Through the PK classes he has learned that we were all created with love for God and from that love we can love others.

-During the very short time that our son has been at ECA we have seen in him an interesting process of growing in love. We have seen significant changes in him regarding obeying, respecting others, and playing safely with with others. It has been a permanent process to discipline him at home, we know that this is just the beginning of a long-life process, and we have found that ECA has greatly contributed to this purpose. Probably the most important purpose God wants to see in our lives is to shape our character to grow in love.  Thus growing in love means many things for our son such as respecting others, helping others, being disciplined, sharing, supporting, having good manners, and so on. During this period, we have seen clear improvements in our son’s behavior, and the way he gives love to others. This is reflected all around him: we see that in his actions, his relationships, his creativity, his happiness. We are delighted with ECA’s approach to teach children how to grow in love. We consider that this is extremely important for the entire life of our son. As a family, we know that it is our responsibility to cultivate love in our child, with our everyday examples, with our life style, and encouraging our son to love others. Then we are pleased to know that ECA’s approach is an excellent complement to our efforts to discipline our son and to show him the only right way to grow in love: trust in the word of God.

-As parents we have seen how our daughter has grown to understand the love God has for us and she has begun to understand there is love our in our home because God loves us and we love Him. Our daughter has a love for ministry and values preaching, telling us that she wants to do what God has called her to, according to his purposes. We believe this is God's purpose in her life and it makes us so excited to think that the Lord will use her for things we can't even imagine. We are so proud of our daughter and have seen how ECA is a part of her process in realizing the work that God is doing through his creation and in the blessings that we receive.

((and the quotes from our newsletter in case you missed it))

-We are so happy to see our son growing in this area (of love) and understanding God's love for us. He is often telling us how great is God s love and that He made the sun and the moon and the stars. He is expressing gratitude for every little thing. We are so encouraged every time he says, "Thanks God for..... "

-Our son is growing in love all the time! Now he is more affectionate, is more gentle with his sister, and he knows that "obey" and "respect" are ways to love. He is more expressive now, with words hugs and kisses (including trickle wars) and says: te amo más lejos que la cabeza de Super Dios! (My love is bigger than the size of Super God's head!).

-We have seen our child grow in forgiveness and showing love. We noticed that he has a gentler spirit and can speak with clarity about lessons he is learning at school such as solving problems using love. We keep hearing him say "we always need to forgive everyone" and it makes us so happy to think that even at a young age he is building this type of foundation for the rest of his life.

-The other day my daughter was at church singing and dancing during worship. She was so involved and focused. Afterwards I asked her about it and she said "I love God so much and I want to worship Him with everything that I have to show Him I love Him."

-Our daughter has become more interested in the needs of others.
Spending times with boys is a challenge for us as a family because we see that she wants to imitate fighting and rudeness, but we see it as an opportunity that the Lord has given her to teach her as a woman she can love and work her friends. When she prays she gives thanks for her school, her classmates and for help to be obedient every day.

Ending well the 2014-2015 school year!

We have been on break for just over a week now, and we are both still processing this year and the work God is doing in and through us. This is a both a hard and joyful time for us. We have had to say many goodbyes to close friends, colleagues, and students. It is also a time to reflect on the wonderful growth we see in all students- academically, emotionally and spiritually.

This year PK  and middle school had a full last week of school.

Tuesday PK combined efforts with their second grade reading buddies and had a book party. There were 4 stations- each with a book to read together and an activity related to the book.

Station 1: If you give a mouse a cookie

Enjoying making cookies!!

Station 2: Piggy and Elephant books

Making new covers for the Piggy and Elephant books!

Station 3: The Very Caterpillar

Yummy fruit Kebabs after reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Yummy Fruit Kebabs!

Station 4 Free play outside!

 Wednesday PK and 7th/8th grade went to a theme park. For PK this was a special end of the year trip, while 7th and 8th graders joined a ministry partnered with the school to spend a day together enjoying the fun of the park. Ed  chaperoned the 7th and 8th graders while Sarah tried to keep up with the PKers.

Saturday we had our closing ceremonies where we presented character, academic and attendance awards. It is a fun way to celebrate the end of the year and recognize the hard work of students.

Here is a video I shared with the families. The last 30 seconds are the bloopers if you ever want to see the goofiness of my kiddos.

Celebramos Colombia! (We celebrate Colombia!)

One of my favorite all-school events is "Celebrate Colombia". The Spanish teachers in each grade level create a presentation that tells a part of Colombia history, celebrates an aspect of Colombian culture and allows the students to grow in their personal cultural identity. Then parents are invited and the school comes together to watch each other's performances! It is so fun to see students to have patriotic pride in their beautiful country.

7th and 8th graders paid tribute to the farmers in this bountiful country and shared about the different political influences that have inhibited their growth (such as the conquistadors, the FARC, communists, etc.). They did then a traditional dance of the farmers.

PKers learned the traditional Cumbia dance. This is from the coastal region and very common in Colombia Some of my students memorized a small speech to share the history of the dance, then the whole class danced together. The students loved their outfits and the chance to dress up. I was so impressed and proud that they all memorized their steps and were not too nervous to perform in front of their parents and other students.

Kinder and first grade also did dances. It was so fun to see my previous classes not only grow in their dance skills, but work together as a team to dance and perform. As part of the celebration the MC called on parents and teachers to join the students for encore performances- which was great fun to have all the audience involved!

Kinder in their costumes during the dance

Various PK, Kinder and 1st grade students giving a small introduction speech