My Life for His Glory: Covenant Thursday

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."

1 Peter 4:10-11

Last Thursday also known as Covenant Thursday, Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday was a day I will cherish for a long time. It was special to me for many reasons, but the main reason is that I have a Savior, a savior that came as an example of a humble servant and loved us enough to give up his life in a nasty way only to overcome death and raise to life as a man not a ghost, but a man with holes in His hands, feet, and side--and I get to serve Him in Bolivia! His death brings me to tears, but His resurrection brings me immeasurable joy! This past Thursday added to that joy! I am thankful to serve a Risen Savior that allows me days like this!

It was a busy day requiring a lot of effort, alertness, and encouragement on my part. We started our morning with a ceremony commemorating the purity pledge each of my 6th grade students made to wait until marriage and to protect the purity of those around them. It was beautiful! The only part I had in this ceremony was to sit and take in the beauty of each one of them signing a commitment/ covenant to keep their purity. This quarter they have been a part of a class with the counselor called Preparing for Adolescence. The ceremony was a perfect finish to the course as they pledged their purity alongside their parents and classmates. I pray, especially in this culture, that the Lord gives them the strength and friends they need to keep this covenant with themselves and the Lord. I count myself honored to have witnessed it.

Abie signing her pledge!

Santiago receiving a purity ring from his parents!

Leo getting a really long hug from mom :)

All my 6th graders with their signed purity pledges

This is Sofia. Her mom grabbed my hand, Bolivian kissed me a few times and expressed her love for me and the school through tears and Spanish. I love receiving Spanish love from a Chinese woman! The Lord has great things planned for this young lady! I can't wait to hear how He uses her!

The boys enjoying the empanadas afterward

It was also class theme day. Each class chose their own theme, and through many nominations and voting, my students chose to be a MOTORCYCLE GANG...minus a motorcycle. I thought it funny that we went from purity to motorcycle gang...ahh, thus is the nature of an adolescent. :)

I love the stash!

Abie is a natural...haha!

Me and my new tattoo...thinking of making it permanent!

6th grade bikers

After a Math test and lunch, we had a Spelling Bee. We took time each day leading up to Thursday to practice in our classroom. I asked the principal to call out the words and I got to cheer on my students. It was so much fun! A couple of students stayed in longer than they thought they would! It was so exciting to see them so excited about lasting 2 rounds! I love these sweet 6th graders! After we finished the bee, I allowed them to enjoy some extra recess where I joined in on a game of ninja.

I wished them all well and headed to my house with most of my basketball team for a time of laughter, food, and games. I think we needed some time to enjoy each other outside of basketball...FUN was had by all!

Yes, I still have some Christmas decor up...:-/

That evening our servant leaders from school aka "the crew" got together at a neighbors house for dinner and a foot washing ceremony. It was a powerful night for me and I suspect for many of our students. Many of them had never washed anyone's feet before or had their own feet washed. I was reminded of a special service we had at Gander Brook years ago where the counselors washed the feet of our campers and of each other. It was beautiful! This night was equally beautiful!

Emily, the other female leader, and I got to wash the feet of the girls in the group. It was awkward at first, as I am sure it was when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. I was honored to happen to wash the feet of most of my basketball players of the group and the two girls that I disciple. It was humbling to sit at their feet and pour into them in a way that I had not yet done and to talk to them from a position of a servant. After Emily and I finished washing their feet, they set out to wash the feet of those that they long to serve. To my surprise and more humility, four of the girls turned around and washed my feet while offering words of encouragement and affirmation over me that I didn't know I needed. He allowed me to see three younger sisters wash the feet of their older brothers as well. It was a powerful picture of how He longs for us to serve each other...even our immediate family! What an amazing, loving Lord we serve that he gave us in His life, death, and resurrection as an example of how we should love one another!