awesome!

Report cards went home on Friday. If you're a teacher, (anywhere in the world), you also know that means it's time to hear from "those parents" too. You know those ones I'm talking about. :) Yes, they are in Rwanda too.

I have a really awesome, VERY intelligent, yet VERY bubbly girl in my class, who we'll call "J." J is the youngest girl in my class, and the smartest too! She spends her summers and holidays with her extended family in India. J sometimes (often) tests my patience, because while she is very eager to learn, she is also very LOUD. :-) This precious 9 year old also has a deep affection for the Lord, and is the first Christian in her family.

She amazes me with her understanding of God and who He is in her life, and she routinely asks wonderful questions that tell me she really knows Jesus. She overflowingly tells us stories (always interrupting!) of times when she's afraid or alone and then she feels the Holy Spirit with her. Wow, the Holy Spirit! She'll come in once a week and tell us stories about how she talked to another girl in her neighborhood about Jesus, or read her Bible or memorized a whole chapter in John! Her enthusiasm blows me away.

J also shares with us during prayer time about tougher times at home with her father...and how she tries to deal with that. And we encourage her and pray with her. He's away on business a lot, but when he is at home, it's often not pleasant for J and her mom.

I struggle with wanting to encourage J and also discipline her...but I want to send many positive notes home too, so her parents, especially dad, can see the great things their daughter is doing and learning. J has shared with me about praying for her parents, who are of the Hindu faith, and telling them things she has learned in Bible class. They have even started asking her questions!

So, today, I had a visit from J's mom, asking about her report card, and how some behavior areas could be improved. And we were talking, and I was trying to be very positive and encouraging. And then she started crying, and I didn't really know why, because the information I was telling her was not at all bad. Then the mom just poured out her heart, so much was on it too...about things she and J are dealing with at home. And how she wants to please and do what is right for her family. She asked if I would pray for her. So I took her hand and we prayed and cried. And prayed some more. And she smiled, and shared that when things get to be too much, J will say, Mom, we just need to pray. She said that even her husband is beginning to understand that "there's something about prayer."

Awesome. It was another out-of-this-world parent conference...who would have ever thought? God is doing great things at this school! J shared that she had no idea who Jesus was until she came to KICS last year for 3rd grade. And her parents are glad she is here. God is working, for sure! Please pray with me for this family, who is seeking, and struggling too for some peace. Please pray for the father, as he makes decisions for the family, that he will seek the family's best interest. Also, that he will continue to be open to J and her mom's desire to know more about Jesus!

This conversation today reminded me of another one I was fortunate to be a part of a few weeks back in the airport. Ethan's flight was delayed, and I was sooo bored at the airport. A KICS family from Lebanon was also there waiting. I don't teach their children, but the mom called me over to her and hugged me and said Merry Christmas. She thanked me for what we were teaching at our school, and said that since her husband has allowed the kids to be enrolled at KICS, she can see an incredible difference in them. She said the youngest one is more open and has "life." And her older one prays every night with her, and even taught her how to pray. Her husband is a Muslim, and she follows his beliefs, but she really does not practice any one religion. They are moving to Zambia in June, and the father has already left to go look for a job. They have other family members there. She said she was so sad that her children would leave KICS, and asked me to pray for her that she can find them another school that will teach them about Jesus in Zambia. Wow!

God is definitely at work here! I know it, and I feel it every day when I go to work, and it's an awesome feeling. But it's great to have the affirmation from parents, and see that these children are shining their light outside of school, and letting God use them to benefit His kingdom. It's so neat to see Him be glorified!!