confessions of the county fair (in Brasil...i think that is Festa Junina) and pancakes...

The "County Fair" is almost over and I thought I should write before too many things escape me-for I hope to write my next entry from the states. I learned many interesting things over the last few weeks. Ive learned how to control a classroom of 3-6 year olds and Ive watched 2 or 3 of them respond to Jesus. We learned how to pray, when to pray, and why we pray. They informed me that God has the internet and he is real big.
While I taught the fruit of the spirit-peace, patience, kindness, joy, and love, I was also learning these from my students. Particularly one that tested me both weeks. His parents put only that they wanted him to learn Biblical Principles.....and I understand why. His idea of telling someone nicely that he didnt like what they were saying is... ^Shut up^ in his "nice" voice. I really had to be intentional about everything that I did with this child. It just didnt come naturally. Again and again I would call his name, count to three, and wait for his response. He even told me that my face scared him (?-but he would sit in my lap, hang on me, persistantly be the one to hold my hand, etc) but then also told me several times that his dad scares him. And then told me that I wasnt scary and neither was his dad. The whole time I was wondering......is there some kind of psychology to this? or maybe I just needed to pray more? Eventually, he began to open up and I realized that he usually gets what he wants if he talks long enough about it. I didnt give in and that was different for him. Responding to his need for love was difficult because I didnt feel it was right to give in to his every demand. I had to show him in other ways that I loved him-like ignoring his cycle of ramblings about his snack, his dad, and other things. Yeah-it sounds mean-but after about 10-30 minutes of this-he began talking sense again, he did his work, and he communicated with the other kids. I am proud of him, his accomplishments, and the things he will take away from this summer camp. He knows about the Bible (Gods Book-he calls it), he knows how to pray, and why we pray. Truly a labor of love.......and it was worth every minute.

Pancakes may have to wait until I get back to the states. I shared a pancake dinner with two of my Brasilian friends on Tuesday. My dear sister Gabi and then our friend. It is amazing how someone can be so close to the truth and yet so very far at the same time. I see in him a genuine love for people that sees past any outward appearance and looks for the best in them. I am deeply saddened by his belief system and the way he feels about God. Sometimes it feels so unfair. More on this later.

Dear God. Thank you for giving me so many opportunities to show You in my life. I pray that I will recognize them and live them out every minute. I pray for these two sweet people that Ive grown to love so much. I pray that they will one day recognize You and love You. Please help them with any confusion in their minds. Thank you for showing me things through them. Amen.