Sufficient Grace

Bible college has finished for the hot season, and while we thought that things would settle down, it seems like we have been even busier.

My schedule hasn’t changed too much, but Eric has been busy preparing the land for the church in Phokera, as well as setting things in order here at this church.

Last week the men cleared the new church property. Then on Saturday, the kids and I stayed under the big meeting tree with the kids who had gathered. We did a little lesson and played a few games, and encouraged them to come to services for the kids’ class.

We are currently still meeting at the chief’s tree, but we will be meeting at the new property soon, Lord willing. I am excited, but there is some sadness as well. I just recently realized that I may not see many of the kids I am teaching in Phokera now when we move. It’s maybe only a 10 minute walk, but for a 4 year old coming by them self…I have a face of a little one coming to mind now. She always has the biggest smile, and comes with a toddler (almost as big as her) on her back. I get attached to each one!

The kids in Phokera were rascals this last time, though! I brought a different puppet with me. He is a Bible character with a beard. I call him Moses. One girl said that because she came late, she didn’t really get to see him and asked if I could bring him out again.

Well, that turned out to be the worst decision I could have made! Within a matter of seconds I was surrounded by about 30-50 kids all grabbing at him, pulling his hair and beard, trying to pull of his shoes. Holding him as high as I could, while trying to hold his shoes, I tried to muster out a cry for help to Eric, who was standing a ways off. Then I looked at Brother Shadrick, who quickly came and grabbed poor Moses. I’m not sure if I actually managed to call out any cries for help, so I’m glad they were paying enough attention to see my desperate need for help! I think I had a hard time calling out between laughing at how humorous the situation was and trying to tell the kids no.

I absolutely love working with the kids, but a safe place and privacy is greatly needed too. Recently we’ve had a few times when I have felt like that has been invaded. Our property is walled off and guarded, but kids frequently are welcomed to come play. We’ve had a few come recently who are more curious. One day in particular I was exhausted. I was out in the yard playing with some of the little ones when a couple newer girls came. They stood very in “my space” and just stared at me…no matter where I was or what I was doing. I decided to go inside and play piano. The girls proceeded to come up on the porch and look in windows. Sometimes it can be a little tiring, and you feel like you’re at a zoo – and you’re the animal! But God always gives grace!

Temperatures are rising and have been 110°-115°. We are having heat warnings here. Sometimes the air feels like the warmth from a blow dryer. It has made my fibromyalgia symptoms worse. Again, God gives grace, and doesn’t give us more than we can bear. Between the days of extreme heat, we will get cooler days – in the 90°s to low 100°s. That feels cool after the hot days! The Lord has also blessed us with air conditioners in the house. We have been turning them on in the evenings to cool things down so even if the electricity goes off, it’s a little more bearable and helps us get some sleep.

The water hasn’t been working so it’s been washing by hand again. But there are blessings even in that! I am thankful that we have a hose and I don’t have to go carry buckets of water home. I also have someone who helps me with laundry on Fridays. The water should be repaired soon, but it will probably be a regular inconvenience.

Other blessings of the hot season are:

Water wars!

Mangoes!