We are finishing up our second term at MCA.  It is such a blessing to see all these kids on a daily basis and watch them grow.  Some of them are reading better and really growing academically.  

Just yesterday I was sitting in the office looking over some test and a few kids came in asking for the ball to go play with.   Then this cute little boy from our kindergarten class came in and just stood there.  We asked him what he wanted and he said he wanted to read on the Ipad.   He was very anxious to play the educational games we put on there and enjoyed his time with Summer who was guiding him though it.

I pray that our school will be a solid foundation for these children. Academically speaking, yes, but more than that, really. So many of our school kids come from difficult situations at home. Some have lost a parent, been abandoned, live among abuse and so much more.  Honestly, it's heartbreaking and a lot to take in.   God's grace helps us know better how to help each one and what that may look like.  

Recently, a boy lost his father, and his mother had abandon him years ago so he is living with a mechanic in town who took pity on him because he was living in different shops.  I pray that we can help him in some way and guide him through this difficult time. He's only in 2nd grade.

I know that the world is full of hurt and sorrow.  Each place is touched by pain and suffering.  Each soul longs to be loved and cared for.  Only Jesus Christ can mend a soul and comforted a broken heart.   Who will be His feet?  Who will be His hands? Who will bring the healing Words of Jesus to these hurting souls?
 

Oh, may we be like Isaiah when he said, "Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8

Growing up Amy Carmichael was my hero.  I have read many books about her and by her, but one really shook my world.   Let the little children come is the story of Amy learning of the tragic costume in India where little girls were given to the Hindu temple gods as sacrifices and temple prostitutes.  In God's sovereign plan Amy begins rescuing these girls from their horrific plight.  

The story goes on, in which, Elisabeth Eliot communicates much better than I could every attempt to in, A Chance to Die. (Which I would read every year if time allowed.)

God has given me a heart to see little children come to Him. A heart for little girls who are forced into awful cultural traditions such as MFG, Female Genital Mutilation, and Child bride.  He has given me a heart to see these girls have a chance at a normal life, a childhood that includes school, jump ropes, hopscotch, lots of giggles and knowing Jesus.  

Can you imagine being married at 12 years old to a man triple your age?  Can you imagine being 12 years old, never gone to school and being the 4th wife of a very old man?   
When I walk around our school, Mara Christian Academy, and see the little girls jump roping and giggling and reading and singing, I can't help but hold back tears of joy for these girls.
"But Jesus said,'Let the little children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'" Matthew 19:14
Soon, we will be opening a girls home, Mara Girls Home, and when I think about it my heart fills with excitement and hope for the girls God will send our way. May we make a difference, even if it's just one!

The joys of home school life.  Finishing up your work so you can go outside and do something much more exciting.

Hanging out with our kindergarten class is a blast!

Summer and I had a chance to go out and do some visiting yesterday.   We went to visit a Christian lady in our church whose husband died this week.  She is a very strong lady and was doing very well considering what's doing on in her life.  I felt more encouraged by her than she probably did by me.
After visiting with her we moved on to another house and visited with a 16 year old girl who just had a baby out of wedlock.  She is a sweet girl who used to be involved in our church not to long ago.  I held her precious baby and tried to encourage her to come back to church when she can and that we love her very much.
On our way home we stopped by the house of one of our school kids whose dad was killed last week by an elephant and then tragically finished by hyenas.   We sat and talked with the mom and family that was there comforting them.
As I went home reflecting on the visits we had made I realized that through it all, the death of a husband, birth of a child out of wedlock and the tragic death of a father and husband, that the message stays the same.  Jesus is our firm foundation, our strong hold!  There is nothing outside of that truth that can get us through each day.
My hope and prayer is that we can encourage our neighbors with that truth and live it daily.
"To live is Christ and to die is gain." Nothing more, nothing less. May we live to God's glory no matter what!

Recently, I was at Ladies Bible study getting ready to teach. First we sing then it's open for whomever would like to share a testimony.  One lady had something to share.  She told us that life has been hard for her, that her husband died and that recently her last cow died.  She was in despair and told her children there was no hope to live any longer  and that she might as well burn her house and all that is in it.
She went on to say that her son, who is a believer and a part of our church, told her that there was hope in God.  She said he encouraged her to be strong and not give up.   
My heart was so burdened after she shared that it was difficult for me to teach.
I spoke to the lady the next day to try to encourage her again to be strong in Jesus.  She proceeded to tell me that the teaching in the church and various encouragements from people in the church have been a huge blessing to her.
I think she is starting to see the light from her dark place. God is good to draw us close and open our eyes to His faithfulness.