Happy Monday! This will be the first full week of school for the children at Bethesda. The students were anxious for class again. As they continue their devotions and theme on Loving God More. Today the 3rd- 6th graders recited Matthew 22:37 and from this added Exodus 20:3-4 and talked about having other God's/idols. In relation to them they discussed all the "stuff" they liked and that it was OK to like certain things but, not to let this come before their devotion time, prayer time, their Bible reading time. They also discussed all the "stuff" they hold on to which has little to no value. Classes 1-2 focused on Deuteronomy 6:5. As the children sang their praise and worship songs my eyes teared up again. I realize that this will be one of the last mornings to spend with them during this special time of devotions. It has been such a joy watching the children eagerly talk about God and their desire to learn more.
There is extra excitement at the school as tomorrow there will be an open house for all of the parents to get to visit with the teachers and get a quick snap shot of expectations and school curriculum. I had the joy of baking muffins and banana bread for the brunch they will serve. During the brunch tomorrow I will be with grade one. I was super excited and was hoping to read a story to the children until the teacher told me 4 students speak no English. OOPS I guess that won't work. I think they will be working on worksheets and break time will work in any language. So looking forward to this.
Yesterday was great to experience church again in a small village church where Rev. Phago, better know as Jones, preaches. His church meets in a day care center. The music is just voices led mostly by his wife. There is clapping, dancing and very obvious that the spirit is present. His preaching is bold and he really picks apart the scripture to a deeper understanding. After church they invited me to their home for lunch. I feel very comfortable in their home as I helped put finishing touches on the lovely meal and assisted in dishing up the five younger children's plates. Afterwards I sat out on the stewp, (porch) and took the braided extensions out of their oldest daughter's hair. It created a great time for visiting. After this her mother then began to re braid her hair into corn braids. This presented a very intament setting of daughter setting on the ground and Momma on a chair with her daughters head laying in her lap as she braided her hair. It was a great time of sharing. Other children were playing in the yard and would run up and talk and run off again screaming and laughing. A perfect setting for a perfect day. That evening I went to church with Lois, John, and Jo Anna to Mixon's church in Pretoria. This church was a beautiful building and had a western flare to the feel of it's service. The music was lead by a small praise team. The minister took the scripture and related it to current circumstances. Each service was wonderful but such a contrast. How great our God is, for no matter where we are, how we do worship if our hearts are seeking He is there.
Tomorrow after being with the 1st Grade class I will be leaving Bethesda and will be going north for about a 1 1/2 hours trip to Shikwaru Lodge which is own by Dr. Blessmen from Polk City. He does medical missions in the area. I will not be able to hook up with one of his medical teams but hope to find out more about their missions. I wanted to do this especially since I was so close to his location in Africa and since he is also so close to our location in Ankeny. I will be at this site for two days. On Thursday 1/22/09 at 11:59 P.M. I will be flying out of Johannesburg back to Iowa. Pray for safe travels to Blessmen's ministry and back home. Pray that my heart is open to all that God has to show me. Pray for Bethesda and for God's blessing to continue to fall upon this wonderful ministry that has God right in the center of all that it does. Pray for all of their teachers and for Lois and John as they continue to give direction to this ministry. Pray for the loving house parents and for the beautiful children that make up all of the families. In Christ, Sandy
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