Day 34- Sunday. My housemates and I had the Bible teacher over for coffee in the afternoon and had a powerful discussion on dealing with the spiritual darkness in our students. We have muslim, hindu, wiccans, and more amongst our eleventh graders and want to show them the more loving, stronger way in Jesus. As a community of women we will take a stand together for our students.
Day 35- Monday. A day of battle. A day where we women of God took a stand. My school, the Haven of Peace Academy, has a thief on the loose and large sums of money, electronics, and other things have been stolen over the past couple of months. During lunch break I led my small group Bible study on a prayer walk around campus, proactively praying for protection for students and staff and a heart change in the thief. We boldly stood together against the enemy and claimed that the Lord would “hold us up with his glorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
Ps. 18:30- “He is a shield to all who look to Him for protection.”
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
The Weekend
Day 33: Friday. Had African style lasagna and watched “What’s Up Doc?” with my neighbors. Cheery conversation. A pleasant time.
Day 33-Saturday. Solid community building accomplished today. Two of my 12th graders organized a huge charity fundraiser for violence against African women. It was a real community building project, bringing together students, teachers, families, and community members for games, face painting, a garage sale, a coke guzzling contest, raffles, hamburgers, and so much more. For a while I ran a bean bag toss, but then was recruited to be the teacher in “throw sponges at the teacher’s face” booth. Quite a few students had good aim and hit me. At one point I even did some arm wrestling, but here I triumphed against some high school girls! That rebuilt my self esteem after the earlier sponges in my face. Overall the event was a success-fun and beneficial to all involved. I’m proud of those girls for organizing it.
Day 33-Saturday. Solid community building accomplished today. Two of my 12th graders organized a huge charity fundraiser for violence against African women. It was a real community building project, bringing together students, teachers, families, and community members for games, face painting, a garage sale, a coke guzzling contest, raffles, hamburgers, and so much more. For a while I ran a bean bag toss, but then was recruited to be the teacher in “throw sponges at the teacher’s face” booth. Quite a few students had good aim and hit me. At one point I even did some arm wrestling, but here I triumphed against some high school girls! That rebuilt my self esteem after the earlier sponges in my face. Overall the event was a success-fun and beneficial to all involved. I’m proud of those girls for organizing it.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Halfway there!
Day 30: Wednesday- Swim coaching. My community building today was encouraging my secondary swim team to swim hard, but to do it with a good sense of camaradrie. To build a strong sense of teamwork I had them do team relays and cheer each other other. It was a solidarity building practice.
This marks the halfway point of my 60 day challenge!
Day 31: Thursday- During our 12 Grade Lit class this morning we were discussing feminist literature. After a discussion on feminism and its relevance today I encouraged my girls to not fight for equality with men, but to know they are powerful women created differently by God then men- but not weaker or less valuable. My response from them were wide, empowered smiles.
This marks the halfway point of my 60 day challenge!
Day 31: Thursday- During our 12 Grade Lit class this morning we were discussing feminist literature. After a discussion on feminism and its relevance today I encouraged my girls to not fight for equality with men, but to know they are powerful women created differently by God then men- but not weaker or less valuable. My response from them were wide, empowered smiles.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Weekend rest comes to an end...
BUT continues into the work week!
Day 27: Sunday-Sympathetically listened to a man from church vent about job frustrations. Massaged my housemate. Got a massage in return. Talked with housemates. It was good company; good community.
Day 28-Monday: Got sweaty. Picked up trash around campus during an after school teacher clean up initiative for our upcoming 15 year Haven of Peace Academy (HOPAC) birthday celebration. The Tanzanian cleaners appreciated the help, bridging some of the gap between national staff and foreign staff.
Day 29-Tuesday: Talked to my Grade 8 homeroom about Ephesians 4:17-32 and exhorted them to only speak-or type on Facebook-what is true, necessary, and kind.
Spent some time swimming in the Indian Ocean; then wandering along the beach with Ursula, the Kiswahili and German teacher at HOPAC. More relaxed conversation about everything from students we’re concerned about to why people don’t visit us in Tanzania. Some of the most satisfying community building comes from taking the time to visit with others.
Day 27: Sunday-Sympathetically listened to a man from church vent about job frustrations. Massaged my housemate. Got a massage in return. Talked with housemates. It was good company; good community.
Day 28-Monday: Got sweaty. Picked up trash around campus during an after school teacher clean up initiative for our upcoming 15 year Haven of Peace Academy (HOPAC) birthday celebration. The Tanzanian cleaners appreciated the help, bridging some of the gap between national staff and foreign staff.
Day 29-Tuesday: Talked to my Grade 8 homeroom about Ephesians 4:17-32 and exhorted them to only speak-or type on Facebook-what is true, necessary, and kind.
Spent some time swimming in the Indian Ocean; then wandering along the beach with Ursula, the Kiswahili and German teacher at HOPAC. More relaxed conversation about everything from students we’re concerned about to why people don’t visit us in Tanzania. Some of the most satisfying community building comes from taking the time to visit with others.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
A Lazy Saturday
Day 26: Saturday finally arrived! I took a dala dala bus down to the local market to buy a more secure backpack-the zippers are broken on my old one-that I will protect me more from pickpocketing. At the market I had an interesting conversation with a Tanzanian at a backpack stall.
Later I went to visit my neighbors over tea and had some lazy Saturday afternoon conversation. Mainly my community building was through friendship and conversation: all just what they and I needed!
Later I went to visit my neighbors over tea and had some lazy Saturday afternoon conversation. Mainly my community building was through friendship and conversation: all just what they and I needed!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Attacks!
Day 23-Wednesday:
While Crystal, my housemate from Michigan, was cooking dinner I sat on the floor and we did a part of a Bible study on Hebrews chapters 1-2 together. Good discussion and a good time learning together.
Day 24-Thursday:
Led a Homeroom Bible study on an issue I felt was destroying community and oppressing our Upper School-bullying and ranting on Facebook. The general trend at HOPAC is similar to what's happening in schools around the world, students bash eachother and teachers on the internet and don't think of it as wrong. In the words of my homeroom students, "What happens on Facebook, stays on Facebook." After much prayer I spoke about what was on my heart. Thursday I showed them a specific instance of Facebook bullying in Canada and the horrible result. I read them the Proverb warning to "guard your mouth." An interesting discussion ensued amongst my students and I.
Thursday evening I went to a dinner and cell group gathering a local pastor's house. I teach his son and daughter and enjoyed seeing them lead cell.
Day 25: Friday morning I arrived to find an anonymous e-mail written to me entitled "get out." It was filled with horrible insults to me personally and was obviously from a disgruntled Grade 11 or 12 student unhappy with his or her grade on a Literature Mock Exam test he or she sat this week. What struck me was how they hurt me where I'm most sensitive, and the student couldn't possibly have known that. Is this because of my Thursday homeroom?
Spent sometime in the evening with Crystal praying about this and other spiritual attacks.
While Crystal, my housemate from Michigan, was cooking dinner I sat on the floor and we did a part of a Bible study on Hebrews chapters 1-2 together. Good discussion and a good time learning together.
Day 24-Thursday:
Led a Homeroom Bible study on an issue I felt was destroying community and oppressing our Upper School-bullying and ranting on Facebook. The general trend at HOPAC is similar to what's happening in schools around the world, students bash eachother and teachers on the internet and don't think of it as wrong. In the words of my homeroom students, "What happens on Facebook, stays on Facebook." After much prayer I spoke about what was on my heart. Thursday I showed them a specific instance of Facebook bullying in Canada and the horrible result. I read them the Proverb warning to "guard your mouth." An interesting discussion ensued amongst my students and I.
Thursday evening I went to a dinner and cell group gathering a local pastor's house. I teach his son and daughter and enjoyed seeing them lead cell.
Day 25: Friday morning I arrived to find an anonymous e-mail written to me entitled "get out." It was filled with horrible insults to me personally and was obviously from a disgruntled Grade 11 or 12 student unhappy with his or her grade on a Literature Mock Exam test he or she sat this week. What struck me was how they hurt me where I'm most sensitive, and the student couldn't possibly have known that. Is this because of my Thursday homeroom?
Spent sometime in the evening with Crystal praying about this and other spiritual attacks.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Silver Sands Beach
Day 21: First day back to school after break. This meant reconnecting with teachers by talking about their long weekend and catching up with my Grade 9 students. It was nice to get away from Dar for four days, but it’s nice to be back to teaching my teens, too.
Day 22: After school Ursula- a German lady who’s been teaching in Tanzania for 15 years- and I meandered down to Silver Sands Beach. With the hotel escari (guard) watching for thieves we swam in the choppy waves and luxuriated in the sun and the miles of clear sky. Afterwards we sat on the sand and talked about, “cabbages and kings.”
This was community building. This was pleasurable. So why are there so few harmonious communities? People are missing out by isolating themselves from relationships for their electronics, work, or sports, or whatever occupies their time.
Day 22: After school Ursula- a German lady who’s been teaching in Tanzania for 15 years- and I meandered down to Silver Sands Beach. With the hotel escari (guard) watching for thieves we swam in the choppy waves and luxuriated in the sun and the miles of clear sky. Afterwards we sat on the sand and talked about, “cabbages and kings.”
This was community building. This was pleasurable. So why are there so few harmonious communities? People are missing out by isolating themselves from relationships for their electronics, work, or sports, or whatever occupies their time.
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