Bolivian Basketball Bonding

There we are...CHAMPIONS! 

This past week, my varsity girls and the varsity boys had playoff games last Tuesday and Thursday.  We are in a league that consists of us and 3 other teams.  Throughout the season we play each team twice.  Both varsity girls and boys teams went into the playoff games undefeated!! 

The boys team!!

Tuesday, dressed in my Boston gear, we played our first of two playoff games.  Winning this game meant we would play for the championship.  The game started off pretty rough.  After the first quarter, the score was 2-2!  It was the ugliest we had played...well ever!  As I think about it, the seniors had not played with the team in a week and a half due to senior trip and our practice was canceled the day before due to a track meet.  They had to find their groove.  We finally did, and in spite of Bolivian refs we won 31-15.

Thursday, our game started an hour and a half after school got out, so I had the girls meet me in my room for a time prayer.  At this time, one of our senior girls was lying in the nurses office with a fever.  I asked all the girls to pray.  It was so nice to hear their hearts for their ill teammate and for each other.  They praised the Lord for the season and the fun we had had together.  They prayed for His glory to be shown in the game and for protection of us and the other team. 

At game time the gym was packed and loud.   I had never seen it this packed before.  We were all nervous, and you could tell in the way we started the game.  We knew going in that the last time we play St. Thomas their defense had improved.  This time was no different.  At halftime, we were down by 3 points.  We had never been down at halftime in any game thus far.  It looked like to me the other team wanted the win more than we did.  They showed me different in the 3rd quarter.  Once we pulled ahead, we never looked back.  We won...I don't remember the score.

This basketball season was filled with many firsts for me.  This was my first winning season, my first time as a head coach for a high school varsity team, my first time to yell at refs in Spanish, and my first undefeated season.  I have enjoyed every moment with these girls.  After I was drenched by water, another first, I met my team outside where we usually went for halftimes and told them how proud I was of them.  One of my girls spoke up and said that she didn't like me when the season started and that she almost quit.  She then expressed that she has grown to really love me, and she is so thankful that she stuck with it, enduring the running and rules that I put in place.  I am thankful too because she was one of our MVPs this season, and she is now like a little sister to me. 

My favorite picture...Thanking the Lord for our season!

I was not only blessed with amazing girls, but also with a great assistant coach that stood beside me and shared insights about the girls that helped me approach them in the right way.  Laura had an amazing way of calling out my harshness in such a gentle way.  I love that she stepped up to help, encourage me and the girls, as well as love me in those moments when I wasn't lovable.  God knows the people I need walking beside me in this life.  He provides who and what we need at the right time.  For His provision of Laura, I will be forever thankful!!

 

Laura and I...she rocks!

These girls have become a huge blessing to me, and God has allowed me to pour into them as well.  Even now, I meet with a few of them on a regular basis to hold them accountable in their walk with God and with other relationships in their lives.   Being here in Bolivia, at this school has allowed me opportunities to pour into teenagers lives that I didn't have in the states.  I am so thankful to the Father for calling me out of my selfishness of not wanting to coach and for showing me that it wasn't about basketball or me.  It was about Him, and the way He wanted to work in their lives using me directly and/or indirectly.  I could not have done this without the Lord's leading.  He was all over this season and these relationships, and for that I am so grateful!! 



A little excited!

Spirit finger defense picture...inside joke!

My Seniors!

 

My "KIDS"

I am always writing posts in my head that never actually get turned into posts and end up getting lost inside of my head until I am prompted by the Holy Spirit to write.  However, the one I started writing in my head last night I thought I should actually put to virtual paper, if only to show you the emotional roller coaster that is constantly jolting back and forth in my heart and head.

I cried myself to sleep last night...that is the end of the story, yet it is really difficult to know exactly where the story began.  It perhaps was the day(s) the Lord gave me the privilege of being an aunt!  This picture is my desktop background on my school computer at the present moment. 

These are 6 of my 8 beautiful nieces and nephews.  I love them!  I miss them!  I long to hug and kiss them, and to hear them say my name as they run with arms open!  Being an aunt is one of the greatest blessing God has given me.  Even though they are not from me, they are part of me!  I love them more than anything!  Being so far from home has intensified my love for them.  Talking to them over skype has it's fun moments, but it is hard to connect with the couple that seem to be scared of the fact that I am on a computer and not in person.  I can't chase them around the house, have tickle fights, or shoot nerf guns at them through a screen.  Last night, I found myself looking through pictures and videos of my sweet little people from this summer with laughter and tears!

As I tried to stop crying, I prayed for each of  their hearts to be open to what God has for their lives.  As I prayed I thought about my kids, if I am to have some one day, and that their hearts would be open to God as well.  From there, instead of focusing on my singleness, my Father God reminded me of the many "kids" I already have.  Just last night, I got to facebook chat with two of my former 6th graders that are now in college.  Kristen and Margaret are two of the many students that I pray I get to see grow to be successful children of God.  I am so blessed to be a teacher in that I am blessed with many "kids" that I get to influence and be influenced by. 

With that said, I still have my ups and downs here in Bolivia.  I laugh. I cry. I remember that God provides.  I have many desires.  I desire to hug my family.  I desire to be a Red Sox bat girl...haha!  I desire a helpmate and children of my own.  I desire to serve him with my whole life, not just the parts I am willing to hand over to Him.  Yet along with these desires comes the fact that I have a heavenly Father that provides what I NEED.  He knows me inside and out.  He knows when I need love from my little people.  He knows when I need someone to hug me and listen.  He knows that I can't live this life on my own.

HE FAITHFULLY PROVIDES ALL I NEED! 

 

In my sorrow, he provides joy.  In my thirst and hunger, he provides living water and the bread of life.  In my loneliness, he provides friendship and community.  So today as I write this in my classroom, he has provided/surrounded me with children that I can call mine because He has allowed me to be a part of their lives in some way.  Children that I can love and cherish all my days on this Earth as He uses me to help them get to heaven and as they do the same for me! 

Please keep me in your prayers tonight as I will be at a sleepover with all my 6th grade girls for a birthday party!  It is very exciting and a little nerve-racking that I get to hangout with them outside of school, but I believe that He will provide what I need...and perhaps ibuprofen! :)

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!

The guys praying after they washed each other's feet.

Olyn washing my feet--She is a true servant in  life!

Emily and Wes--brother and sister

Tayo and Karla-brother and sister

Hope, Direction, and Nourishment from 1 Kings 19

As I said in my last post, the Word of God is living and active.  He uses it to convict, to strengthen, and to push us to be the best for Him!  In the last 4 years, God has used one particular chapter of the Bible to give me hope, direction, and nourishment--I Kings 19!  
(I realize there is more to be gotten from this chapter than what I have gained and in my different states of mind and circumstances saw the scripture with different eyes than others may have.  Although others may not gain the same things I did, this is how God chose to use it in my life.)

My brief summary of 1 Kings 19:

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life from Jezebel after the fire of the Lord came down and burned up the sacrifices as well as killed the prophets of Baal.  He was the only prophet left.  As he ran into the desert and fell asleep.  He was awoken by the angel of the Lord twice to eat and drink to give him strength for the journey ahead.  He ran to Horeb, the mountain of God where God asked him what he was doing there.  Elijah's reply was that he was zealous for the Lord, the Israelites rejected the covenant, he was the only prophet left, and they were trying to kill him.  After a mighty wind, an earthquake, a fire, and finally hearing God in a gentle whisper, his reply to same question was still that they were trying to kill him.  God sent Elijah back the way he came to anoint others to be succeed him, including Elisha who he threw is cloak around to designate as his successor.

Hope:
The first time God used this chapter to help me was in 2008 as I sat desperate for the Lord to show me what to do about the fact that I was being pushed out of a ministry position for no good reason.  I was a part of the singles leadership team where everyone on the team was stepping down except for me.  After having a very hurtful conversation with the minister in charge,  I felt like Elijah.  I was the only one left and with zeal I wanted to serve, but he was trying to "kill"/get rid of me.  As I read the passage, I knew I wasn't alone.  The Lord had heard my hurting heart.  I heard him say...Go back the way you came.  I went back to the minister that hurt me and he had changed his mind.  He didn't know why he was trying to push me out and apologized.  Today he and his wife are some of my best friends.  What I didn't know at that time was that God would continue to use that passage in our singles ministry.

Direction:
Two years later when all 5 of us knew it was time to move on from our leadership positions, we spent a weekend seeking God's face for clarity in how to make a smooth transition to new leadership and a new minister.  In that weekend, God brought this chapter back to my mind.  I read it again.  God allowed me to understand how important to "throw our cloaks around" those that were succeeding us.  The group agreed that part of the transition would be a "party" of sorts that allowed us to pass wisdom and truth along to those that were coming after us.  What a blessing that time was, not only for them but for us as we reminisced about what God had done in our ministry through our time of leadership!

Nourishment:
A month ago, he brought to mind this chapter once again.  I was in a state of weariness and fear of inadequacy.  It was not the greatest day with my students and the first day I cried because of their behavior and how I responded to it (not my best day as a teacher).  I was also asked that day to take on another student to counsel in my "spare" time.  I was a little overwhelmed and feeling very inadequate for the job that was before me.  I skipped high school youth group to be with God, and he met me in my state of fear through 1 Kings 19.

Here is an excerpt from my prayer journal:
"1 Kings 19:3- I am afraid like Elijah was and want to run away.  I want to run because even though you put me among these people and it was by your doing that I face these trials, I don't believe it(your protection) will happen. Elijah called your name and you slaughter the prophets of Baal, yet when someone was after him he didn't believe in your protection.  I feel like that.  I feel like you have done some great things already this year, but when it comes to facing difficult conversations with people or counseling kids with issues I don't know how to handle--I want to run."

Through 1 Kings 19 the Holy Spirit was convicting me of my unbelief and calling me out of my pity party while showing me that he will provide all I need.  It is not in my own strength that I am to live this life, but in His! Just like he was faithful to Elijah to prepare him for a forty day journey by waking him twice to eat and drink, the Lord will prepare and awaken me to the nourishment that He always has ready for me.  

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."  
1 Peter 5:6-8

Elijah, Peter and I are loved by the same God that sustains his creation and prepares us for what is to come. In His strength we will overcome the fears the devil puts in front of us.  Through Him we are prepared for the moments our flesh is weak!  Whom shall we fear?  The God of Angel armies is always by our side!

The top 10 things I have learned lately...

This is #11, I can't wait for baseball season to be in full swing!

Let me clarify...Some of these things were already revealed to me at an earlier time, but there has been clarity and confirmation this past month.  Let the countdown commence!!

10. I love TeachBeyond!

      At the beginning of February, Mark Giebink, a member care person from TeachBeyond came for a long weekend to check on us TeachBeyonders in Bolivia. It was such an encouragement to have him here to experience the day in the life of a teacher at SCCLC and to know that we are supported and prayed for by the TeachBeyond higher ups.  One night while he was here we took him out for a very Bolivian dinner with Bolivian food, dancing, and dramatics!  He brought a little refreshment to our lives here! Thank you Mark and TeachBeyond for caring about your people!
      If you would like to be sent by a great organization and love working in school visit this TeachBeyond website and also see this list of schools all over the world that need teachers and administrators. 

TeachBeyonders: Esther, Mark, me, Rachel, Christine

9.  Cooler windy days are my happy place!

     This weekend and the earlier part of this week we had overcast skies that kept out most of the heat and made for some amazingly cool days. God is so faithful to give me those days when I am at my point of wanting to sit in front of an air conditioner for the rest of my life (ok...maybe a little dramatic... but seriously it is HOT here!) 

8. I love my family!
    These last few months my family has had some pretty big ups and downs.  My niece, Haley had a virus that caused her brain to swell which in turn caused many side effects one of which was a seizure that put her in a coma.  Since coming out of it, she has been in constant therapy to help reteach her some of the everyday things that most of us take for granted.  I am thrilled to say that she is improving everyday and that her community has gathered around her and my brother's family to provide support and have even done fundraisers for them.  It is great to see the love and support they have had through this whole ordeal!  Please pray for her has she continues to improve!
   Through Haley's ordeal, as awful as it was, our family has seen healing.  Six years ago, because of our reactions to the horrible actions of one man, our family saw much separation and anger.  Yet through the inexplicable ordeal of a 14-year-old girl, we were brought together again.  Although I rejoice in the healing, I am sad I am not there to experience it full-on with hugs, conversation, and tears (well, I have had tears).  God has once again proven to me his faithfulness to provide healing, physical and emotional, in his time.  I can't help but think today, as they lay to rest the man whose actions tore us apart, if he ever allowed himself to experience the true faithfulness and grace that our Almighty Father can give.  Grandpa, I pray you sought that relationship, forgiveness, and grace that He so freely gives.

Mama, Haley, and Papa at the hospital

7. I am not the best teacher!

    I have always knows that I was not a great teacher.  When I was determining my major in college, I proudly told my parents that I would NOT be a teacher.  Well, I am now in my 10th year of teaching.  Little did I know what God would do in my life with the students and fellow teachers that I have worked with along the way.  I count them all as blessings!  But it is new cultures and new students, that continue to humble me.  When I came here I thought that the classroom would be the place that I would find comfortable compared to the discomforts of a whole new country. Boy was I mistaken!  It has been one of the most uncomfortable places since I have been here and at times I want to run far away from it!  As I sit in the midst of 9 boys and 8 girls, I have found that they are the best teachers.  They know each other better than I do.  They communicate to each other in ways that I can not.  When I try to teach them I let my allergies, frustration, and expectations get in the way of the student.  Two young ladies in my class have taught me from their actions that I need to put myself aside and let God use me to help them instead of standing in their way.  Thank you S and C!  I love my students more each day!

6. I love working with high school students!

   My first time to work with high school students was at North Atlanta as a trail guide.  I loved every minute of working with Peyton, Laura, Ana, and Caroline!  They are still some of my favorite people on Earth.  My love and work with them was what catapulted me into looking for a school where I could work with students like them.  Since September, I have been working with a group of amazing students here at SCCLC.  They are open and willing to disciple other students within the school into a relationship with our Lord and Savior. Through this group, I am discipling two young ladies that continue to surprise and impress me with their vulnerability and actions, just like my 4 in Atlanta did!  I love you Emily, Sophi, Peyton, Laura, Ana, and Caroline...and nothing will cause me to not love you...NOTHING!!
   This next week, I get to take a break from working with 6th graders and attend the high school camp with our school.  Please pray that this is a spiritually uplifting time for our students as well as a time when those that have had their hearts and minds closed to Him are open and vulnerable to what He has in store for them.  Pray for safety, confidence, strength, and openness for all!

Emily after her performance as a scary mom...I look scarier in this pic!

My Atlanta girls-- Caroline, Laura, Ana, and Peyton

5. I really enjoy planning events for the single ladies!

     As you know, I love opening my home to the single ladies once a month.  This month we decided to go out on the town.  A lot of us enjoyed dinner at a Peruvian restaurant and the opening night of Les Miserables as a Valentine's treat to ourselves!  It was so great to be surrounded by some great women.  God continues to provide a great community around me here in Bolivia, yet I continue to ask him where the men are...haha... he has not shown me yet.  :)  Please pray for our March get-together that it will be fun, full of fellowship, and bring glory to God!

Dinner with the single ladies...and one married

4. Saturday morning market runs are some of my favorite times of the week.

    My neighbor Kaitlyn and I usually gather our market bags and money and walk the kilometer and a half to the closest market.  I really enjoy almost every aspect of our time together the walk, the talk, the laughter, the ladies we know by name that sell us fruits and vegetables, the smiles on their faces as we greet, the Spanish lessons that divinely occur, and the great fresh food we get every time.  These far outweigh the honks of Bolivian taxi drivers as they see the gringas walking down the road, dodging crazy drivers as we  cross the street, and the gross smells of hanging meat in the market.  I know I have a few months, but I will really miss my market time with Kaitlyn when she leaves me at the end of the school year!

 
 

   

3. Honesty strengthens friendships!
    Since I have been here, I have learned that being a friend is a give and take, and my true friends will call me out when I am not doing either one.  If I am going to be honest, there are some people that I thought would communicate with me on a regular basis and some that wouldn't.  With most my instincts were right, but their have been some surprises and disappointments.  There are moments that I have blamed others for not communicating yet I don't look at what I have or haven't done to communicate with them.  I have to remind myself that this is a two way street with different amounts of give and take at different times in life.  I remember a fight that my bf Amy and I had once where she laid it all on the table about how I wasn't being a good friend and I in turn did the same.  I remember that being a turning point in our relationship to being true friends that will fight to keep the friendship.  I have had a conversation like that recently with a friend here in Bolivia, and although I haven't known her that long I believe that it was life-giving to the friendship we do and will continue to have.

Love you Amy!  Miss my long hair!

2. God is faithful to provide community and family here in Bolivia!
    Outside of the friendship of many single ladies, God has given me two families here that love and take care of me when I need it.  The Reeds and the Kienzles have been some of the most loving and life-giving people I could ever ask for.  They are not old enough to be my parents but they treat me like I am their own.  They have been a beautiful display of what it means to be a part of the family of God.  They bring meds when I am sick, laughs when I am down, and hugs when I am in need.  Their children are like my brothers and sisters (even though I teach one of them).  They invite me for meals, support me in my coaching and teaching, and encourage me in who I am made to be!  I love you all...yes, even your dogs...I know, crazy, but I am growing in dog like because of you guys too!  God moves in mysterious ways...:)!

Rhonda and JD Reed

Nathan, Abie, Grace Reed

Abie Reed and Bekah Kienzle

Paul and Laura Kienzle

1. The word of God is living, breathing, and will continually give joy to a weary soul.
   Three weeks ago, I was at wits end with some of students and it brought me to tears and the realization that I was trying to do all of this on my own.  That night I skipped out on other obligations to spend time really listening to God, longing to be refreshed by His word and His spirit.  He delivered.  He used 1 Kings 19 to speak to me again about the fact that he is faithfully preparing me for the future and He is present in my present giving me strength and hope in times of despair.  He has used 1 Kings 19 at two significant times in my life and yet again the Holy Spirit took me there again.  I love that he keeps taking me back to this passage.  I believe it deserves its own post, so be on the look out for the next post on the provisions of God to prepare us for what is ahead even in our fear.  Until then know that His word is living and has the power to change your mind and heart about the situation you are in.

Our God continues to move here in Bolivia in spite of my attitude, my fear, and my lack of confidence!  Nothing is impossible for Him!