Open Hands, Open Hearts (BCM Week 6)

While Week 3 (week 5's update) was rough, Week 4 with my students (week 6's update) was the exact opposite. God was moving in ways I didn’t even understand.

I visited two of my students in their homes. It felt amazing to be able to meet my students’ families and to say how proud I was of my students, and to see the kids in their natural habitat. Anahi had me reading a book in Spanish. While extremely slow, I managed to make it through an entire children’s story. At Angel’s house, I discovered his love for animals and his amazing artistic ability despite being autistic. He has overcome incredible odds and has improved drastically from the first week. I also really appreciated the home-cooked meals – Mexican food rocks!!!

I learned quite a few Spanish words this week which will come in handy in fall 09. I’m learning Spanish in exchange for lessons in making hoops in basketball. The girls love that!

I challenged my homeroom girls to various reading activities instead of the usual I read, we read, and then they individually read. Reading Olympics engendered some friendly competition and excitement for reading.

I finally figured out a way to get my math class to be more engaged. I discovered that by doing the Problem of the Day and going straight into a fast-paced lesson, it left little room for complaining and distractions. Then during the second half-hour I let my students color and draw me pictures for my refrigerator while listening to the music of the sea. No joke! The number of correct answers tripled from previous weeks and this activity allowed the kids to embrace their artistic side while learning.

Another amazingly cool development – answered prayers!! I’ve been keeping a fairly consistent prayer journal and it’s exciting to see how God has been moving in my heart and life. I’ve prayed for a spirit of gentleness, for the right words to say to a hurting child, for a way to connect with my students, and to love more. Those are just a few of the things I have been praying fairly consistently. This week God answered that prayer in spades as I was able to see not only a steadily growing openness in the children, but a quiet, growing change inside me.


There’s something so beautiful in the simple drawings of a child – those stick figures made so painstakingly, the earnest eagerness in their voice as they explain their masterpiece, the patience in each stroke, and the wonder on their faces as they discover a new color that transforms their world. This week I witnessed just such an event. I peered into the world of a child, and found my arms expanding so they could fit in my hug and my heart expanding with pride for my students, with joy at their childlike wonder and faith, and with love for their tenderness and innocence. Sometimes I look at a child and I think not where did the years go, but where did the innocence? And these kids have to endure so much more than I did at their age. They bear the burdens with confused acceptance and the maturity of someone twice their age. Let us remember the days when peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in brown bags filled our stomachs at lunch, when our mothers hummed Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star to us when we were falling asleep, when we chased butterflies and soccer balls in the grass at recess, and when we galloped about coloring the world with our infectious laughter and sweet smiles. Let us remember the wonderful world of a child and for a moment, no matter how brief, close your eyes and feel the wind and sun and remember God is love. A child taught me that this week.

I feel like we’re on the brink of a revolution – a revival. We’re reaching these kids and we’re making a difference and this week I caught a glimpse of God’s majesty, His splendor, His power, and His unfailing love.

I’d like to ask prayer for the increased development of the students. May they be fully and totally ready for school in the fall season. May they continue to engage in the classroom. Pray for my patience, that I’d exercise wisdom in the classroom, and for sustained health and continued spiritual growth.

I’d like to ask prayer for the safety of the children, physically and spiritually. This week, though the Lord was good, as always, and some awesome things were occurring, God brought to my attention a little bit of the darker side of life in EPA. I’d like to ask prayer for those who are hurting deep inside who have no one to love them, no one to tell them how special they are, and no one to encourage them. I gave a child a hug this week and said, “love you.” It was heartbreaking to hear his response. A first-grader: “No one ever told me that.” Oh what we as American college-students take for granted! Pray for loving homes, for strength of spirit to rise up in this community, and for the tenderhearted mercies of God to rain down on the lives of these children.

One final thought: This has been my song of praise this past week. Meditate on the words.

You're calling me to lay aside the worries of my day
To quiet down my busy mind and find a hiding place
Worthy, Worthy

I open up my heart and let my spirit worship Yours
I open up my mouth and let a song of praise come forth
Worthy, You are worthy

chorus:
Of a child-like faith
And of my honest praise
And of my unashamed love
Of a holy life
And of my sacrifice
And of my unashamed love

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

In His Grace,
Hannah