I am sorry that it has been so long since I have posted. I started school in late August, and have been pretty busy. I only have a few classes left before I start full time student teaching! Actually, right now, I should actually be working on a project I present tomorrow, but I took a much needed break to share a few updates.
Update one:
As some of you know, I started sponsoring a precious little girl from Kenya named Jane. She is a beautiful girl, who is passionate about school and her family. I received my first letter last month, and broke into tears as I read her words. She said that she would be praying for me, and wishes me well. This adorable precious little gift from God is clearly a sister of mine in Christ, and praying for her everyday has helped me humble myself, but also has kept med connected to Africa. As Nairobi, Kenya experienced a terrorist attack this past weekend, I ask you to keep their nation in your prayers. Also, I just learned that Compassion International can also set up custom visits. It is now another goal of mine to somehow afford that someday so I can run to my little Jane, and be with her, hold her close, and pray with and for her.
Update two:
I spoke at our school's student led Sunday night worship. The topic of my talk was about forgiveness, thankfulness, and our adoption through Christ. Luckily, I was allowed to really focus this around my trip and my experience, and I had a lot of positive feedback. I have learned that one way to cope with my yearning for Rwanda is to talk about it, and share what God did with my life while I was there.
Update three:
This is an update from my post in July. I still have been having a lot of issues with missing Rwanda and the people there. Somedays are a lot better than others, but some days it is hard to wake up and go through the day without physically aching and yearning for the place I left. When I work with my first grade students, I can't help but picture the children I left in Rwanda, and it hurts somedays. I'm not saying I don't love my students here, because I really really do, but it just kills knowing that I might not be able to see some of the students I left behind in Rwanda. Today, I received an email from one of the grade five students I taught divinity and morality to while in Rwanda. She wrote about how she was one of the top of her class this term, and how she wants me to come back and visit. I smiled one of the biggest smiles when I read the email, and one line just cut me to the core: "I miss you very very much and I love you so so much" If I could only be there to pick her up in my arms and tell her the same thing. This distance has been so difficult and I have really been struggling with it. Even though I love to have control and order, God has really shown me this year that I need more help than I think I do. So as hard as it is for me to do, I would like you, if you want, to keep me in your prayers. I would really appreciate it, and I know that even through this pain of missing Africa, God has a huge plan for me, and that this pain I am experiencing has a meaning. As it says in Psalm 30: 11-12, You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
Well, I must be getting back to work now. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I hope to update you all a lot sooner than I did this time. Hope all is well.
In love,
Leah
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