He Has Made Me Glad (BCM Week 3)

As many of you know, I am into my first full week teaching at Bayshore Christian Ministries in East Palo Alto. As of now, I've decided I could never be a full time elementary school teacher and I respect the heck out of anyone who does. Wow! The work load is a lot harder than I anticipated, but it's good because God has been taking me outside of my comfort zone.

Pray for creativity on my part, genuineness and understanding with the kids, for the continued strength (mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical) of all the interns, and for unity with the team. I definitely am learning how to make the classroom fun and educational at the same time. That's been challenging especially since most of my kids are on different levels academically. But it is totally worth it to see them eager and ready to learn every morning when I ask and their smiles are so precious. God really knew what He was saying when He said the children are precious in His sight. Oh my! I want to hug them all and never let go. I'm trying to include their interests and favorite colors in the class. One of my girls loves soccer and so I had them kick me the ball while doing math problems. And they love stickers. Pray I don't run out of money for stickers. ;o)

Mondays I teach sign. Pray for my American sign language class. I have 15 boys and 1 girl. Many of them were placed in sign because the other workshops overflowed, though some genuinely want to be there. It's hard keeping their attention. But some of them were getting it and that was encouraging because I saw some signing to each other later and some have signed with me. I'm going to teach them a song in sign language for our banquet at the end of the summer. Pray for my patience and the attention span of my classroom.

Tuesdays I do theater. Last week we played theater games but we're about to get into skits and short plays. I can't wait. This is definitely something I have fun with no matter what age group. The kids love it!

On Thursday we took the kids to the pool in the afternoon and that was interesting to say the least trying to manage 60 kids.

At lunch time and recess, we sit with the kids and eat our lunches and play together. It's been such a blessing to get to know these kids and start to build relationships with them. Already I love them. How could I not?? They are so young and look up to us and it's a privilege to work with them and get them ready for school in the fall.

On Thursday evening we had a barbecue and invited the kids families and parents. It was nice to meet their parents and know that we're making an impact on their kids, the families, and ultimately the community. After a long week, meeting the parents of these kids made me feel so rejuvenated. I even had enough energy to dance crazily in the hallways as we were cleaning up! :op

Overall, this experience has been so rewarding. God is teaching me so much. Being as busy as I am is forcing me to have regular daily Bible study with God. I know I wouldn't be able to make it through the summer without my one-on-one with God daily. Already He's moved so much in my life. I just want to sing and smile and dance all day long knowing what He has done for me, what He is doing, and what He will do in my life and the lives of these kids in my classroom and ultimately all the BCM kids. It is so beautiful. I don't know how to describe it in words.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. I couldn't do it without you!

I have really been praying the following verses. If you would pray them with me or simply meditate on the words.

Ecclesiastes 3:9-14

"What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him."

And this simple song has been on my heart recently. I'll close with this.

He Has Made Me Glad
I will enter his gates with
thanksgiving in my heart
I will enter his courts with praise
I will say this is the day that the
Lord has made
I will rejoice for He has made me glad
He has made me glad
He has made me glad
I will rejoice for He hasmade me glad (2x)

Gladly in His most abundant Grace,
Hannah

:o)