Early Autumn Reflections

Can it be the end of September already? This month has seemingly passed so much more quickly than September, 2011. This time last year, I was wondering, “Why would I ever care to stay in this place longer than a year?” This year, amazingly, the question is more, “Why would I ever care to leave this place?” Now, please don’t think I have any clear direction for my future, I’m just unbelievably content here now. 

The last couple of weeks have been full, not only of school-related work and activities, but also of lessons and spiritual growth.  My schedule is QUITE jam-packed (especially compared to last year), but all is going well. I’m so thankful that God doesn’t see my schedule as too busy to work with. Each day calls for a deep rejuvenating night’s sleep (which I, so far, have been privileged to obtain), and each new day gives rise to opportunities to experience and share the nurturing love of Christ. I am blessed to start out almost every day leading different classes in worshipping God. It’s a sweet few minutes which gives my day beautiful focus. “Why are we doing this ‘singing’ thing?” I ask the kids every morning. They respond with a growing understanding of the reason for which they were created and the importance of lifting our eyes to recognize the power and love of our Lord.

Last Thursday, which I’ve already narrated for several of you, was a particularly full day in the Kingdom. In 4^th grade English that day, we were supposed to be learning about subjects in imperative sentences, but I ended up learning something a bit more important. Tosin had spent the week slowly moving down the behavior chart until his name sat precariously close to the final scary stage which said “Meet with Parents for intervention.” When Tosin saw that his neighbor, Tolu, was using “his” pencil, he decided it would be a good idea to yell and try to grab it from her. I, in turn, thought it would be a good idea for him to move his name down to the final level of the behavior chart. Upon seeing the impending consequences, Tosin began wailing and crying like it was the end of the world. After he quieted a bit, I went over and asked what the problem was and why he had insisted on yelling and getting so upset at Tolu. After his explanation of the situation, I said, “Tosin, regardless of whether or not she actually stole the pencil, next time you have trouble, all you have to do is raise your hand for help. I am here to help you and I will make sure justice is done.” When the incident was over, I thought about the words that I had spoken to my student and recognized a bit of hypocrisy.  Were these not the same words that my Father speaks to me whenever I have trouble with people or things around me: “Calm down, Lee Anne. No need to get your panties in wad. Just raise your hand, ask for help, and I will make sure that everything works out. I am here for you.” Yet, I still sometimes take it upon myself to get real upset about things that I should trust to Him. What a wonderful and convicting realization.

That afternoon, I encountered some of the clearest spiritual warfare that I’ve ever experienced. The second grade kids have always been a struggle, but Thursday’s Bible class was intense. I began class by announcing that today we would be introduced to the Deliverer-- which we have long been hearing about and waiting for. The children responded by cheering (a right response, if you ask me), but the excitement didn’t last long.  It was very clear that Satan didn’t want the kids to the get the message of hope that I planned to relate to them that day. A deep chaos and darkness took over the class for the next 15 minutes that left me extremely saddened and feeling like a failure for not having been a better instrument. 

After my Bible classes, I took my dampened spirits home to pray. I asked God to somehow redeem my day. I had only one club left to teach, but I knew that God could bring something good that revealed His glory out of this afternoon. At 3:30, I went to conduct speech club.  I was followed into the classroom by two of my speech students.  Literally, the first thing out of one of my student’s mouths was, “Ms. Lee Anne, are you a strong Christian?” This led to a pretty sweet conversation about God’s forgiveness and willingness to call us His children regardless of our sin. It was beautiful and an amazing answer to my prayers of earlier that day.

It’s exciting to see God work in and through me. In fact, there’s nothing better in life, nothing more satisfying, nothing more beautiful. He’s a good God, folks, and I’m so privileged to get to share Him with these students that I’m growing to love. 

“The joy of the Lord is my strength.”

            I’m struggling to write about the last few weeks, mostly because I don’t know how to relate the deep satisfaction and joy that I’m feeling.  How does one describe the love of an indescribable Father? How do I put into words the feeling that results from the knowledge that God delights in me? ME!?! This selfish, proud, miniscule, sack of dirty rags? Incredible.

            Indeed, I have been feeling the fullness of His love recently. I am dumbfounded by the extent to which He is blessing me. Honestly, I am LOVING my job so far. Save one monotonous spelling class, I have loved every single class that I have taught.  I mean, come on. I’ve gotten to discuss with 7^th and 8^th graders the significance of reading literature that increases our moral imagination and bring greater understanding of transcendental truths that can guide out lives. I’ve gotten to share Richard Weaver’s theory regarding order and personality in the context of my 11^th and 12^th grade composition class. I’ve reviewed and reiterated man’s desperate need for a Deliverer and God’s amazing grace in elementary and middle school bible classes. I’ve initiated the 4^th grade English class into the “English Codetalkers Cadet School” where we complete code-breaking missions daily. I’ve scared the living daylights out of a few middle schoolers by introducing them to public speaking. It’s been a blast.

            Though quite different from my wonderful preschool experience last year, I am thriving in my new classrooms. It’s fun to have real conversations and discussions about real life issues with kids who have a larger than 50 word vocabulary. HOWEVER, those kids that I had last year with the tiny vocabularies.... Yeah. They are awesome. Whenever I need a little pick-me-up, I pay a visit to the preschool department. I’ve developed quite a routine. First, I peek my head around a big curtain in the pre-KG class where I make faces at the kids until everyone notices and starts laughing and pointing at “MS. LEE ANNE!!” Second, I head over to the pre-nursery class where I greet the youngest in the preschool department. In this class, I am always warmly greeted by Kanyinsola who runs up to embrace me and answer my questions about her day with a whispered “fine.” Finally, I head up to the nursery class where I see all of my students from last year. In this class, I wreak havoc. For example, when I walked in a few days ago, all of the students got up from their tables and ran to attack me with hugs. After horsing around for a minute, I announced that I needed to go teach the big kids. They responded by shouting, “NOOO, don’t go!!!” and slamming their bodies against the door so that I literally could not leave.  How’s that for a self-esteem boost, Ms. Lee Anne? But… I think I own the nursery class teacher, Ms. Kelly, I huge letter of apology every single time I walk in that room.

      Sufficed to say, I’m having a grand ol’ time over here. Though I will also say, my jammed packed school schedule + online classes + various other bible study/Sunday school responsibilities are becoming a bit exhausting. I’d appreciate prayers as I continue to juggle my workload. I especially would ask for prayer regarding my Bible class, which I desperately don’t want to receive back-burner treatment in light of my other responsibilities. I’m praying for a beautiful harvest for the Kingdom this year and don’t want to neglect the labor that such a harvest may require, regardless of my other duties or fatigue.

Until next time…

A Pleasing Arrival

     In light of yesterday’s talk about plagiarism in the school staff meeting, I feel obligated to credit the following thought to my housemate, Gretchen.

“We’ve now been here a week, but it kinda feels like we never left.” (perhaps if it was a more profound thought I would have secretly claimed it…). Actually, Gretchen was quite right. It has been a wonderfully easy transition back into my Nigerian life—the hectic traffic, sleeping under the mosquitoes net, tupperware hunts in the market with vendors shouting to you, “Maria! I know you! You are from Switzerland!”, etc. It’s great to be back. Of course, school doesn’t start until this coming week, so I cannot yet say that I’ve figured out my routine for the year.

     

     We arrived in Lagos last Saturday evening where I got some much needed sleep—it seems I’ve lost my ability to sleep on planes. I traveled with Katie and our new staff-member and housemate, who happens to be from Knoxville, Meghan Francis. After meeting up with Gretchen and Kyle and spending the night at the Baptist Guest House, we headed to our home in Ibadan. After about an hour of driving, it started to rain, which is not ideal in a bus with poor windshield wipers, on a pot-hole ridden expressway, with no semblance of order amongst the automobiles. So… we had a small wreck. In America we might try to call it a three car pile up, but here, it’s no big deal. Our driver, Augustine, got out, did a bit of yelling with the other drivers, and—as our car was still in okay driving condition—we were on our way. NBD. Really. It happens all the time.

            

     Upon arriving at our compound, we were warmly greeted by our fellow-compound-dwellers. That was the start of some great re-unions with fellow staff and friends. To be quite honest, I think because my summer was so full of wonderful people and experiences, I had forgotten about just how much I love the people in my life here in Nigeria. I am so blessed to be working with warm, gracious, and delightful people. It’s been fun to have a staff week of praising, bonding, and preparing together…without students. For me, It’s been fairly relaxed, quite productive, and an overall blast. After this past week, I remember that I had mixed feelings about coming back, but I can’t figure out for the life of me why I would have felt anything but excitement! Perhaps it’s just the grace of God, again giving me transcendent joy and contentment. No, not perhaps. Definitely.

    School starts on Monday. First time teaching English on Tuesday. First time teaching Literature and spelling on Wednesday. First online Stats exam on Wednesday. First time teaching 12th grade essay writing on Thursday. Other “firsts” will follow next week. Sufficed to say, prayers would be greatly appreciated. I do not have the ability to successfully meet the challenges of the next week or the next year, but I rejoice in the truth that His grace is sufficient for me, for his power is made perfect in my weakness. Oh, and that wasn’t my original thought either (2 Cor 12:9).