No joke this is actually my schedule for everyday: (I know a
bit busy, no time for meals)
Drum Lessons:8-9
Teaching English Writing: 9-2:00
Drum Lessons : 2:30-3:30
Basketball: 3:30-5:30
Devotions: 6-7:00
Choir Practice: 7:30- 8:30
Drum Lessons:8-9
Teaching English Writing: 9-2:00
Drum Lessons : 2:30-3:30
Basketball: 3:30-5:30
Devotions: 6-7:00
Choir Practice: 7:30- 8:30
I’m super super stoked to tell yall about the ways I will be
spending my time here. Even though the first week I felt awkward and scared and
out of place, I’m so happy to say that I feel like God has put me exactly where
I am to do just that. As you may know I am a man of many talents. I’m not amazing at anything but descent at most things. God knows what I like to do and put me right among people that need it.
The first week I was here I met
students and teachers playing basketball after school. They had only played for
two months about twice a week. But were eager to learn more, from the American,
when I came. I am the tallest (which is nothing like in America) and the best
at dribbling. So fast forward two weeks. BM, a teacher, and I have been holding
scrimmages and drills 5 or 6 days a week for about 2 hours. We opened it up to whoever wants to learn
basketball so we are now at about 50 guys. Such an opportunity to use the talents
God has given me and really get close to some of the students through one of my
favorite things to do sports. We recently took 20 of the most interested
players to a neighboring school called, Salt Brook. It was an awesome time
where we taught them basketball and taught us all “handball”, which none of us
had played. It was a sweet time to travel and hang with the guys. You can see
pictures of me and the basketball boys at Salt Brook below. Oh and by the way their
whole school was watching everyone learn the sports…. So that was about 500 or
more fans cheering on both teams.
Drums are the next big thing we have planned. A drum set was purchased with the support of Khen Tombing’s ministry. Next week drums lessons
start where I will be teaching two students at a time. Some of them will come
before school and different ones will come after, on Monday, Wednesday, and
Friday. On the days I’m not teaching the students I will be teaching, BM, one
of the teachers. That way when I leave drumming can be passed on. The plan is
to start a band with some of these drummers and some guitarists from the
school. Pictured below are three of the students I will be teaching, they
helped me put the drums together. I’m super stoked to see some good
relationships be built on this one- on- one type teaching!
The church choir has also asked me to sing with them. I am
no singer but I am here to do whatever God asks. I now sing in choir every
night after devotions. Sometimes if I find myself building good relationships
at the hostel that night I skip choir because building relationships with the
kids is more important. But the choir practice a couple times this week has
been a good way to connect with fellow teachers that are in the choir.
Teaching is an amazing opportunity. It’ll be a good chance
to get to know some younger students and build relationships with teachers. You
knows maybe I’ll even magically get better at English while I’m here.
The last big opportunity God has given me is the Integrated home. It is referred to here as the “Hostel”. It is a home of about 60 kids that live away from their families to go to Rayburn School. Every night they have devotions and worship time and they love music and love to scream out the lyrics to our American worship songs. I have recently brought my cajon (box drum) and have played it many nights the last few weeks. And a couple of the drummers, I will teach, have already picked it up and played during devotions themselves. They love me banging on it and making plenty of noise, so they can worship even louder. The leader of the hostel asked me to share a little speech every night, so this will be a good chance to connect with the kids. Being around these kids is all about being a good example and being intentional about the Gospel when I speak every night at devotions.
But I can’t do any of these things without prayer behind me.
The last big opportunity God has given me is the Integrated home. It is referred to here as the “Hostel”. It is a home of about 60 kids that live away from their families to go to Rayburn School. Every night they have devotions and worship time and they love music and love to scream out the lyrics to our American worship songs. I have recently brought my cajon (box drum) and have played it many nights the last few weeks. And a couple of the drummers, I will teach, have already picked it up and played during devotions themselves. They love me banging on it and making plenty of noise, so they can worship even louder. The leader of the hostel asked me to share a little speech every night, so this will be a good chance to connect with the kids. Being around these kids is all about being a good example and being intentional about the Gospel when I speak every night at devotions.
But I can’t do any of these things without prayer behind me.
-Pray that as I’m surrounding myself with these people that
I will be a good example, I will be mature, and I will reflect Jesus as much as
I can, in everything I do.
-Pray that as challenges come I will see them as ways to grow and see them as new opportunities to become a better man of God. And When I see things that make me uncomfortable, I will be brave just as 2nd Timothy says.
-Pray that as this crazy busy lifestyle continues for the next months I will stay healthy physically and aslo find time to fill myself up in personal devotion time
-Pray that as challenges come I will see them as ways to grow and see them as new opportunities to become a better man of God. And When I see things that make me uncomfortable, I will be brave just as 2nd Timothy says.
-Pray that as this crazy busy lifestyle continues for the next months I will stay healthy physically and aslo find time to fill myself up in personal devotion time
Don’t forget to check out the pictures!!! Thanks
for reading.
The basketball team. (I didn't get the memo about not smiling)
The Salt Brook and Rayburn High athletes and coaches.
The first drum students.
The crowd having a good time.
Everyone wanted to shake our hands.
Getting to talk to the Principal of Salt Brook about his school.
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