Training the Next Generation

Saturday we sat outside the gate on benches waiting as some of the men swept off the back of the truck. Then they loaded the benches into the back. Most of us sit on the benches, but a few people stand at the front near the cab.

The plan was to go to the new encampment village that we have been visiting. I decided against bringing my children’s materials because we walked a lot of paths last time and didn’t have a large group of kids meeting with us.

When we arrived, we were told that they were having a scheduled village meeting so we wouldn’t be able to stay as long. The chief would call everyone early to meet under his meeting place.

Eric came up beside me and asked, “Did you bring your teaching materials? You and Shadrick are going to lead a children’s lesson while we do an adult lesson.”

Every time I decide not to bring it, I need it!

I told him no, but I’m crazy and interesting enough that I could make it. I’m sure there are rumors in all the nearby villages about the crazy white lady and her Bible stories.

We began our lesson with a song , then taught them Genesis 1:1. I then shared with them the story of Adam and Eve, and how sin entered the world. I pretended like a snake talked to me from the tree, and ran behind the tree to hide. I always have so much fun teaching the kids!

The Lord blessed me with what to say, though I’m sure there were things I could have said better. I feel like my mind has been so foggy lately that I forget things more. But I know that He can give me clarity as I follow Him.

Later as I was showing Eric the pictures, he whispered, “Don’t you love your life?”

I love being a missionary wife! Yes, it can be lonely – some days more than others – but God always encourages me as I obey Him. There is so much purpose in serving the Lord!

There’s always something interesting happening too. As we were walking back to the truck last week, I walked right through a patch of army ants. Wow! I thought they would eat me alive right there! Everyone helped knock the mad things off me, not before they took a few bites, though. I love the fellowship with the Phokera ladies so I just stood beside the truck with the ladies…but the ants seemed to follow me and kept swarming me. One of the ladies had enough of watching me suffer, marched to where the men had taken the ladder, and carried it back. She propped it up against the truck and told me to get in. After she went through all that, I just obeyed. She didn’t know that I was lingering not because of the ladder, but because I just wanted to be with them. I always look forward to seeing the ladies there.

The kids have had fun lately going on bug hunts. They learned how to catch a bug called a kalooloo. They poured water down holes and the things came out, clicking angrily. Some people eat them.

They didn’t try those, but they did try termites. Even Eric and I tried them. They were like sunflower seeds – as long as you don’t think about it.

One of the most exciting things that has happened, though, is the birth of Pastor Nelson and Chrissy’s baby girl, Jane.

We have been enjoying any second we can hold her. They asked Abigail if she wanted her tied to her back. Abigail was so excited and probably walked around like that for at least an hour, and she still wasn’t ready to give us a turn with her!

I have recently been turning over more responsibilities in this church ministry to those helping here. It has been exciting to see them grow in the Lord and in their teaching ability. I thought I’d be a little sad to turn it over as I love teaching so much, but the Lord continues to give me more teaching opportunities so that I don’t feel too bad. I pray that these teachers will get a burden for the young ones they are teaching. The older generation is already set in their ways, but God can do something wonderful with this next generation.