What's next God?
The last time I went to Africa I brought a book called Africa’s children, Africa’s treasure. It was full of pictures of stunning children and the essays they had written about their lives in this challenging but beautiful place. I read of places like Mathare and Kibera and thought about how much I would love to work with these children in some capacity but I thought it was only a crazy dream that would probably never happen. I had just spent three weeks building houses with the Ethiopians and shaking the hands of many beautiful children and people as we walked down the streets experiencing the culture and all it had to offer. Would I ever make it back to this amazing place? Maybe one day… But not for a long time.
As I write this I am sitting on a chair in Nairobi, Kenya having just spent four days teaching at a vacation bible school (VBS) at Joy Springs School in Kibera slum: A place I thought I would never actually set foot in let alone teach in! To say the least this place was an enormous blessing: I have seen many kids smile and giggle, excited to learn and enthusiastic to sing and do crazy action songs. On my last day I had 20 kids sitting in my classroom about half an hour early because they were excited for our program. By the time my lesson had nearly started, I had nearly 50! I have had the most amazing week with kids and young people left, right and centre!
One night in Ethiopia I decided that my plans to study and become an occupational therapist in New Zealand no longer excited me. The children I had seen here had totally captured my heart and hence the crazy dream to train and become a primary school teacher and assist teachers and children in an African school began to form. But again I didn’t see this happening for many many years… If at all.
In January and some of February I will once again find myself in Joy Springs School. This time the school term will have started and by the sounds of things I'll be teaching art and the Bible and possibly helping with administration. I am about the do what I am so insanely passionate about with the kids of Africa who captured my heart. I still can’t quite believe how good God has been.
Someone once told me to dream big and that I could do amazing things with God. Having just taught a holiday program class in Kibera and now going back there to teach next year… I wonder what God will put on my heart next?
As I write this I am sitting on a chair in Nairobi, Kenya having just spent four days teaching at a vacation bible school (VBS) at Joy Springs School in Kibera slum: A place I thought I would never actually set foot in let alone teach in! To say the least this place was an enormous blessing: I have seen many kids smile and giggle, excited to learn and enthusiastic to sing and do crazy action songs. On my last day I had 20 kids sitting in my classroom about half an hour early because they were excited for our program. By the time my lesson had nearly started, I had nearly 50! I have had the most amazing week with kids and young people left, right and centre!
One night in Ethiopia I decided that my plans to study and become an occupational therapist in New Zealand no longer excited me. The children I had seen here had totally captured my heart and hence the crazy dream to train and become a primary school teacher and assist teachers and children in an African school began to form. But again I didn’t see this happening for many many years… If at all.
In January and some of February I will once again find myself in Joy Springs School. This time the school term will have started and by the sounds of things I'll be teaching art and the Bible and possibly helping with administration. I am about the do what I am so insanely passionate about with the kids of Africa who captured my heart. I still can’t quite believe how good God has been.
Someone once told me to dream big and that I could do amazing things with God. Having just taught a holiday program class in Kibera and now going back there to teach next year… I wonder what God will put on my heart next?
"Yes to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these."
Becky...when I hear your stories and talk to you, I am so blessed! I feel like I am really in the presence of Christ - the Christ in you shining through your love for Africa and these kids. And it gets me excited! I am so stoked that you are living you dream and that is is growing bigger by the second...THANK YOU for reminding me that God moves us across continents, and grows us in so many ways! Love from NZ, Liv xx
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