Encouragement and Inspiration in Our Boarding School Work
On the children’s answered prayers, and what things are affecting them and our staff at school.
The first few weeks of school are usually very challenging for children and staff alike. The first graders are often still homesick and need their tears wiped away. Some children “disappear” into the crowd and need to be deliberately included. Others find it difficult to integrate into groups, and will often react with defiance, aggression, or insolence. Yet others blossom, really soaking up the love that is dished out—and clearly enjoy hanging on Seño’s arms (Seño is what the superintendent is called here).
Highs and Lows
“Today I came into the room at 1:55 pm, just before homework time. Two girls are already seated, absorbed in their work… I greet them and ask, ‘So, how’s it going? What kind of homework do you have?’ I was completely surprised by the answer: ‘Hi, please don’t distract us! We have a lot of homework and want to get it done on time.’” (Emilie Bergen)
“This year we have a girl who, at just seven years old, is more rebellious than any other student I’ve had in 20 years. I was at a loss on what to do, and it drove me to prayer. Thank God, He’s changing the girl’s heart: she’s increasingly realizing her behavior isn’t pleasing to Him. And the Lord is giving us wisdom to recognize what’s going, so we can better respond to her. Now we know she watches a lot of TV at home, and her imagination is polluted by horror movies. That’s why, for example, she’s afraid of shadows and often doesn’t do what she’s told.” (Nery Gonzales)
“Yerco* angrily tore his assignment from his notebook. He was very discouraged because he didn’t understand it. When he had calmed down, he rewrote the problems. After many explanations, he finally understood them. The children need a lot of help and encouragement with their schoolwork.” (Brigitte Wolff)
When Children Pray…
“Claudia* comes to show me her homework: ‘Look, I think I got them all right.’ She’s correct, and I praise her: ‘That’s great, not a single mistake. You’re even the first to finish today.’ Claudia*: ‘Yes, I didn’t feel like doing it at all, so I prayed that God would help me right from the start.” (Emilie Bergen)
“Juan* was able to go on a mission trip with his mother. The gospel was preached, and a team of doctors traveled with them. This mission was deep in the jungle. When the team wanted to go even further in, his mother told him, ‘You can’t come with us today.’ He said, ‘I’ll pray I can go with you.’ The Lord heard his prayer and he was able to go.” (Brigitte Wolff)
“Manuela* came from her classes, and really wanted to tell me something that was private and couldn’t wait till after lunch. ‘Yesterday after Sunday school, I prayed in my room that God would forgive me of my sins. Now I’m a daughter of God. That’s definitely important, isn’t it?’” (Noemí Bany)
Thank you for your continued prayers! As we trust in our Lord, we repeatedly expect Him to give us all things. So, our prayer is that He’ll continue to provide everything for us each day.
*All the children’s names have been changed. Images are for illustrative purposes, and do not correspond to the children in the text.
Midnight Call - 01/2024
