celebrations

I really enjoy celebrating...especially birthdays of my friends. So, my roommate Kim turned 30 today, and we decided to celebrate with a scavenger hunt. It was a lot of fun! Here are some pictures from our time. The thing I am holding is a giant snail. :) Good times.

The little things...

I love the little things in life. They make for more enjoyment: such as hugs from those students that give one gray hair or a school day going smoothly and staying on schedule...like TODAY!! Wow it was great. It almost felt like a normal school day not the 12th day. The children were with me and listened more than they have been. Hooray for those small victories. If you can't win the war, try to win the second by second battle. I have discovered to take note of and enjoy things that go as planned when I don't plan for it to happen. Like today during reading...we read; the students were captivated. Then, based on the book, we discussed things that fly, go in the water and on the road. It was a great lesson and went really well. Maybe it's just a teacher thing. :)

I'm a Survivor!

Hooray!!! The first week of school is almost over!!! For those of you who have taught school, I'm sure you can imagine what a whole first week of school can do to someone. If you haven't taught, a full week, particularly in the lower elementary grades, can be rough. However, we are all settling in and getting in our routine. My students are very sweet and busy. They require all of me. I love them all. I have 18 as of right now. My director's granddaughter will be coming in Sept or Oct. My assistant Helina left kindergarten to teach/tutor high school math. So, I got another aide, Miss Naomi. She is wonderful and helps me in every way possible. I am very thankful for her. I can't believe this is my third year. It seems like yesterday I came for the first time.

Prayer Requests:

1. good health

2. good communication

3. good attitudes

Thanks for all your prayers and support.

Pictures forthcoming

A Thought

I think I understand why Jesus said "Let the little children come to me...then he put his hands on them and blessed them". There is such joy in holding, hugging and loving on little children. I have recently had the wonderful opportunity to hold some babies. I love babies!! One was 3 days old, one was a month or so and the other 6 wks. All adorable and so so precious. There is a certain peace and comfort that comes when I hold a baby. I wonder if Jesus started that feeling when he held "the little children". Then again, I love children. My students are my children. They certainly call me "mommy and momma" enough to be my own. I told my mom that she has 20 international grandchildren. :) I love their hugs. At random points during the day, my more affectionate ones will come up and surround me. Sometimes, it starts a stampede and other times it doesn't. When they all come up to hug me, I call it "death by children", if I am not sitting down, it can be disastrous. It makes me smile though. I wonder what the children thought of Jesus? Did they have an idea who he was? Or did they just love him because he loved them? I have wondered if babies stopped crying when placed in his arms? Did the shy ones run up to him? I wonder what the children think of me sometimes. Do they see Jesus in me? Do they feel his peace in me when they hug me? Am I enough like a little child? Do I run to Jesus just to "hug" him? Or do I wait until i need something? Do I thank him for writing his word to me? Luke, after I read the class a story, sometimes comes up to me, throws his arms around me and says "thank you for reading to us Miss Harris". Lord, thank you for reading to me. For he does. "Let the little children come to me and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Let God's children come to him....for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

Mt. Kilimanjaro

white rhinos-2nd most dangerous animal in Africa

March-May Update

I apologize that I am so late in the year writing another update. Everything is going well. I can't believe I have almost completed two years here in Ghana. WOW! I have signed on for another year. Some good news: we have finally bought the land for our new school. Yay!! Also, before our spring break, 13 out of 20 students said that they would like to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior!!! One little girl is a muslim, one a Jehovah's witness and one little boy is Indian. I am not sure his religion. Please pray for these students that their hearts will be open to the Holy Spirit. As of today, there are 25 1/2 days left in the school year. This year has gone by extremely fast. For spring break, my roommate Kim and I went to Kenya and did a safari. It was AMAZING!!! On Resurrection Sunday, I thought about when we were out on a drive seeing the animals like elephants, giraffes and lions. I thought back to creation, and God making all the animals. These animals are all unique and spectacular. However, after making the animals, God wanted something to have a relationship with. Therefore, He created man and knows and cares about all the things I go through. What a great, mighty God I serve!!!!

I will attach some highlight pictures. We were also able to spend a couple of days with the Chanceys. What fun. Thanks for all your prayers.

Some requests:

1. We are building a fourth story on our school this summer. Please pray that it will be ready to start school August 10th.

2. Our sister schools in Kenya, Afghanistan and Turkey due to the recent events that they will not be targets of any retaliation

3. A good end to the school year

4. My aid here recently lost her boyfriend in a bus accident. Please pray for her and his family.

5. Safe travels for all over here: teachers, staff, students and parents

Thanks and God bless,

Meghann

100th Day of School!

How much fun it is to be able to celebrate anything! Here we are celebrating the 100th day of kindergarten. We had a blast counting and eating different things to 100. As you can see from the picture, we also make 100 masks. I think one student was sick so I only have 18. Anyway, I wanted to share this picture with everyone. Hope everyone is well.