Winter Wonderland??? === not so much.

It’s the dead of winter…or so my calendar says. The preschool art class has been creating a conglomeration of snow crafts—snow men, snowflakes, igloos, etc. The real oddity though, is that most of those little students cannot even begin to imagine a snowy winter.  I’m pretty sure that the average temperature difference between my 2011 winter in Michigan and my 2012 winter in Ibadan is about 100° F.  Going on a run at any point in the day results in the loss of gallons of liquid from my body.  While last year I was thanking God for the warmth that our furnace provided, I am now overflowing with gratitude for our air-conditioning units. 

                Though it has been several weeks since I’ve blogged, not a terrible lot has occurred. The strike ended the Monday after I last wrote. Everyone was pretty happy to return to school come Tuesday morning. And now, a week and a half later, everything is back in full swing—which means we are relieved to see the weekend come. It’s crazy how quickly our attitudes towards school and work can change.  The country as a whole is still experiencing some tension, as you may have heard in the news, but for now, Ibadan is as peaceful as ever. 

                My pre-nursery class has been buzzing with excitement as we now often have 14 students together in a fairly small room. Felo, our little guy from Egypt, has been the biggest handful lately.  His lack of English vernacular has resulted in several horrendous screaming fits, a bit of physical harm to other students, and plenty of general disruptions.  The last few days, however, his demeanor has been changing, particularly towards me. I suppose the fact that I nod knowingly as he speaks (when in fact I have NO IDEA what the kid is rattling off) has made him think that we have a special connection. He has now taken to kissing me.  We’ll be learning the difference between a circle and a square when suddenly he’ll turn, grab my neck, and give me a big wet smack-a-roo on the cheek. Perhaps a little odd, but I’d definitely prefer kissing fits to screaming fits…

                I am freaking LOVING teaching Bible right now.  After a term of bible lessons that began to establish the character of God, it’s fun to be able to refer to those previous stories and acknowledge the consistent gracious way in which the Creator deals with his Creation.  Thinking about and telling the story of Abraham, preparing to sacrifice “his only son, whom he loved so much,” nearly brought tears to my eyes each day that I taught this week. What a beautiful picture God gives us of the son carrying wood up the mountain to the place of sacrifice—wood on which he will soon be slain.  I pray that these stories are impacting my students as much as they impact me.   

                Outside of school, I have recently agreed to begin leading the Bible Study at the South African compound. I feel humbled and inadequate, but willing to take one the challenge. I’d appreciate prayers as I endeavor to lead the group to accept the Word of God which our Father freely holds out for our taking.