NOTE:
My new e-mail address is jenchip@gmail.com. If you haven’t already done
so, please make a note of this change…
April 12, 2008
Dear Friends and Family,
Hello from
But right now I see more than ever the vital need to communicate
with all of you – I cannot do things in my own strength and understanding,
and I desperately need God’s perspective and the support and encouragement
of His people. So thank you so much for being part of what God is doing
here in and through me. Following are some of the key things that God
has been laying on my heart in recent days… feel free to read, and I welcome
your prayers and input.
Holding onto His truth
“You are doing a good job.”
A little over a month ago, I was resting after a tough day of teaching, and
this thought came clearly to my mind. I knew it was the Lord, answering
my cry for His perspective. For weeks, the current of my thoughts had
been pushing in the opposite direction. Many days the strongest battles
have been internal – with negative thoughts and emotions seeking to drag me
down.
But in the midst of this battle God has clearly spoken.
Even in the last couple days he has freshly reminded me that He has called me to work with
these 19 second graders and their families. He is aware of my weaknesses
and my strengths, and He longs to pour out His grace in helping me to grow,
and using my life to touch these kids.
A special note of encouragement
from my student Josselin. It says, “Jennifer is a friendly,
beautiful, and good
teacher and she loves us a lot and we love her.” God has used students
like her to speak to
my life and remind me of His perspective.
Opening up
Thankfully, I am not alone. God is with me every
moment. He has also put many special people around me in the YWAM community…fellow
teachers, mentors, and friends. At times I have felt so behind on my
work as a teacher that I felt like I couldn’t allow myself to spend down time
with other people. But now, I see that I just get more tired and burnt
out if I try to go it alone. So I’ve been asking for His grace to open
up more with him and others, and He’s been encouraging and helping me to grow
in this.
A good friend from back home told me a couple weeks ago
that teaching brings out both the best and the worst qualities in us. Instead
of giving into a defeatist mentality, my prayer is that I would hold onto
God’s good and ample provision – both to grow in those areas where I need
to grow, and acknowledge and be grateful for the strong areas too.
My student Pedro, left,
and his family. We celebrated his 8th birthday by going out
for ice cream.
Special qualities in my students
I have nineteen students – 11 boys and 8 girls.
The majority of them are eager learners and strong readers. They love
to pray, read their Bibles, sing praise songs, play soccer and run relay races.
They enjoy serving and helping out in the classroom. They love to give
me hugs and write me notes (and drawings) of encouragement. They have
creative ideas and are learning to take initiative and work together.
One day, during recess, my students were mysteriously
creating something for me in the middle of the field where they play.
They gathered round, hiding their prize creation. Then, one or two of
them ran excitedly up to me – “Profe…venid y ved!” (Teacher…come and
see!) They had taken a bunch of dried up grass (we are currently in
the dry season here) and they made a big “bird’s nest”, covering it with ornate
flower petals. Though they weren’t supposed to pick the flowers, that
wasn’t the most important thing. What I saw were a bunch of fun-loving,
creative kids who put their minds together to show their love and appreciation
for their teacher. J It helps to remember special
times like this. God is working
in these kids’ lives, and He is working in mine as well.
From left to right…bottom
row…Jonathan, Pedro, Edwin, Jaret, Moisés, Leyton, Leysel, Jerson.
Top row…Ana
Sahela, Maria de los Angeles, Nelson, Marcela, Azucena, Maria Ines, Josselin,
Jefry, Ana Jensi, Jorge.
(Not pictured…Jorge
Eduardo). I appreciate your prayers for each of these precious kids!
Praise points
- More and more people have been responding to God’s call to work with the elementary school. Pray that this would continue.
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As a school, Mi Pequeña Luz has had increased opportunities to be an influence in the area of education in
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In the midst of many recent challenges, God has been giving us at YWAM Nicaragua an increasing hunger and commitment to diligently seek Him and to honor Him in our relationships as a community.