Lent Sacrifice?

Here we are at the start of Lent, the traditional time to make sacrifices for God as a way to pay Him gratitude for all He has done with us in mind.  It has become my own tradition that around this time of year, I assess my relationship with God and think about things in my day to day life that need a bit of tweaking.  In the past years I’ve given up watching FRIENDS (because it was becoming a reason not to deal with my issues, instead of turning to God), I’ve given up Facebook (because I spent more time on it than I did with God), I’ve made a list of things and people to pray for everyday…etc.  This time around, I think my biggest issue is having lukewarm faith.

When taking a shower, I actually want the water to be lukewarm.  I don’t want it too hot to where my skin feels like it’s boiling; however I don’t want it too cold to where I barely wash my hair because I’m in such a hurry to get out of there.  No, lukewarm is where it’s at.  It’s comfortable.  It doesn’t cause a big reaction.  But with my faith, lukewarm is lame.  It’s too comfortable, too mediocre, and as a result doesn’t produce a big response.  I’ve been going through the motions, and sometimes not even that.  I’ve been going to bible studies, leading bible studies, and leading kids in ministry, all the while losing motivation to work on my own relationship with God.  I've never lost the desire to be close with God, but the whole discipline aspect has gone absent from routine.  “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.” James 4:8  Although that is one of my favorite verses to refer to when talking to someone about deepening their relationship with God, I have failed to listen to my own advice.  Therefore, with all of you to hold me accountable, I have vowed to spend intentional time with God everyday, through prayer and reading the Bible.  I think Lent is funny sometimes because if I only vowed to do this for 40 days, then do I go back to being lukewarm after?  I hope not!  My hope is that this will strengthen my love for the Lord and in turn, increase the amount of time I will want to spend with him! 

How did you decide what to do for Lent?

Firsts

So, this week I made the declaration, “I’m a real teacher!”  Maybe it doesn’t sound profound, since I’ve been teaching for 7 months now… but I haven’t really felt like I’ve achieved the status or somehow qualified for the “real” teacher title. 

So, to make this intro even more lame, I have to admit that the only reason I made that declaration is because I rearranged my art classroom and I miraculously gained a ton of space out of it.  I now have an instructional space at the front of the room by the white board.  All I did was move my desk and a few book shelves and shuffles the tables around.  It looks like a serious classroom now.  Finally!

With teaching, I’ve experienced a lot of firsts this year;  The first time I’ve had my own classroom.  The first time I’ve taught every grade in two days.  The first time I have had students speaking a different language to each other in my class.  The first time being a teacher first, younglife leader second.  The first time I’ve ever taught paper mache.  The first time I’ve constructed a zillion lesson plans for just one week.  The first time implementing my own classroom behavior plan.  The first time painting murals with a dozen elementary students. 

KICS has a service day called KICS Cares in which students are assigned service projects throughout the community of Kigali and at school.  I was able to select a number of students to paint a couple murals on the cafeteria walls.  I had several meetings with the top art students in 4th-6th grade and we came up with a design for two walls.  They loved it!  Since it was my first time ever organizing something like this, I was just a tad overwhelmed by the assignment.  However, now that it’s complete and looks great, I can see this type of project happening again.  Here are some photos of the murals:

This mural has landmarks from all over the world painted on it.  Like the signatures of the kids under the world?  They were so proud they wanted to claim it as their own.

This one is a bit more complex.  In the background is a hint of the KICS Kite symbol.  There are three hills to represent the hilly country of Rwanda.  On the middle hill is the cross and dove to show that Jesus is the center of all things and of this school.  The hill on the right has animals that are found in Rwanda and a verse that speaks of God’s creation.  The hill on the left is a child’s version of Kigali with the verse Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world”. 

Ok, I have more firsts to share.

First time seeing a cow interrupt a soccer game by wandering out on to the playing field and being chased away by a shepherd.  First time having a cockroach and termite infestation problem at the same time and place.  First time it’s been fairly normal for birds to fly in and out of classrooms.  First time I’ve danced to Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” in front of my church congregation that is filled with students from the school where I teach.  First time I’ve been pied in the face by a student while teaching a class.   The firsts could go on, but I think you’ve heard enough.  I don’t think the firsts will ever be over.  This is my adventure; it’s never boring and never disappoints. 

God’s Gifts in Young Life

It’s fun to see how God gives us each different gifts to use for unique purposes in His BIG PICTURE plan.  I’m learning more and more that my passion for youth ministry and my love for games and acting a bit silly are actually divine gifts from God.  When I was telling the KICS Headmaster about what we did at the Young Life Crud War event, he commented about how it amazes him that God brings all sorts of people to teach at KICS who all specialize in different areas of ministry.  He also said he is not wired to do “that kind of stuff” referring to organizing and orchestrating a war where kids throw “crud” at each other.  I, on the other hand, feel at home when there’s a lot of screaming and kids running about throwing flour bombs and eggs at each other.  That sentence sounds sarcastic, but I am totally serious!

At this Crud War, we didn’t talk about Young Life.  Being the first event Young Life hosted at KICS, you’d think maybe we’d put a plug in about what YL will look like week to week, but instead we showed them the fun they can expect.  At the Crud War, we didn’t talk about Jesus either.  74 kids showed up; was that a lost opportunity to share about God’s grace?  We may have not said Jesus’ name, but we made sure every kid was accounted for and included, sharing the love of Christ with them.  I heard from a few students that some kids at KICS believe that God doesn’t want us to have fun.  I totally remember feeling that way, never being able to allow God to be a part of the fun.  I’m certainly glad I don’t buy into that lie anymore! 

The latest with YoungLife is that we had our first club last Wednesday!  Holllaaaaaa!  It wasn’t as packed as the Crud War; however the kids that were there were talking it up at school the next day.  We had some kids show up right after the talk at the end… and so we ended with a dance party where kids tried to teach me how to "jerk”.  I’m horrible at it, but they thought it was hilarious that their art teacher was trying to learn these hip dance moves when I have no rhythm whatsoever.  Here’s some pictures from our first Club!

Kids at YL Club during the talk at the end

Matt & I did a skit… yes, I am putting jam on my arm

Love how into they are!

One of our high school leaders playing his one-stringed guitar

Club went so well… the only issue we had was that we had it at a students house and a lot of kids couldn’t come because it wasn’t at the school.  So, after next week, we are going to be having club right at school!  After club, the rest of the week at school, I sensed Satan was trying to tear me down.  I was exhausted and overwhelmed and not to mention STRESSED.  It must be something God really wants to happen if Satan feels threatened enough to attack over it.  I know our 5 high school leaders have been just as exhausted, so prayers for all of us to continue to be motivated in Christ to stand firm in this mission are much needed!  Thanks!  I will keep you updated.