Well, my Sunday blog schedule is clearly quite flexible. I'm not updating every week, but here we are a few Sundays later and I'm finally getting back to this. I wanted to blog last Sunday, but it was a busy day, with us saying goodbye to our sweet roomie, Pam, and then doing lots of house cleaning and separating all our junk again. We discovered some clothes we'd forgotten existed, so that's always exciting. Anyway, my reason for desiring to blog last week was to tell you about our Saturday. So I'll do that now. But first a little of the back story...
Earlier in the year I asked my 11th graders to write a journal (relating to a poem we'd read) that basically said how'd they'd face death, if they knew it was coming tomorrow. I was surprised to hear their answers. Overwhelmingly, they expressed sentiments about wanting to do more with their lives, wanting to make a difference, wanting to make their parents proud, and wanting to be remembered. They felt like their lives hadn't done enough of these things. Well, as their overambitious English teacher, I couldn't just let that go...
So, I did some research on the concept of Service-Learning, and took on the exciting task of having my students create individual Service Learning Projects for themselves to complete in the following months. I asked them to come up with something they can do to benefit or serve their community in some way. They then had to write a project/research proposal with a description of their project, ways they were gonna make it happen, a schedule, a proposal for a research topic connected with their project, and why their idea was of value from a Christian worldview. (Don't worry...I was nice when grading these. I realize it's a lot of work!)
All this to say, last Saturday 2 of my students began working on the practical aspects of their projects. Ryan Epperson is one, and he began a project in connection with the organization his dad works with. I must admit he's way more knowledgeable than I am about what he's doing, but it involves planting A LOT of trees to combat the massive amount of deforestation in Malawi, as well as teaching youth from Gusu and/or Jidi villages about ways to take care of the environment around them. It's a really neat way of encouraging Malawians to be good stewards of the natural resources in the gorgeous country God has given them. Ryan is awesome, and though I happen to know he wasn't very excited about this project, I'm very proud of what he's been doing and the difference he'll make through this.
The other student, Kaitlin Harthoorn, took on the massive feat of swimming 25 kilometers across Lake Malawi to raise money to buy Bibles in Chichewa for Adziwa orphanage (I'm hazy on details of the name here, so my apologies if I'm not 100% correct. My understanding is that Adziwa village is being aided in taking care of the orphans in their area, and families who agree to take in children are given a stipend to help out in the process. So Kaitlin wanted to provide a Bible in Chichewa for every family and Chief involved in this project. Now, Kaitlin is already a pretty incredible swimmer. She's on the ABC swim team, and travels around southern Africa participating in swim meets and such. I thought it was cool she was using her talents/skills for such a good cause. So Saturday, Aly and I went to the lake to meet her as she swam in from the opposite side of the lake. A man from South Africa, I believe, had been helping Kaitlin train, and he swam the lake that day as well. Their goal was to beat the current record time (something like 9hours 45minutes). Kaitlin's trainer swam ahead of her a bit and came in somewhere around 8.5 hours I believe.
I have to admit, when Kaitlin told me about this project, I was pretty impressed, but I didn't realize the determination it would take. This girl had been training something like you'd train for a marathon, only in the pool. She had to change her eating habits a bit leading up to the swim, and put in crazy numbers of hours in the ABC pool working toward this goal. As they were planning for a 8+ hour swim, there was the issue of how to stay nourished and keep one's body going during that time in the water without a break. Kaitlin was determined though, and choked down some not so yummy gooey pastey stuffs while swimming to make this work. Pretty crazy. Did I mention she's only 17?
So, as Aly and I sat on the beach all afternoon being totally lazy, Kaitlin was ready for her swim at 5 am, but weather difficulties delayed her start til around 7:30 that morning. Her parents, brother and sister, and swim coach were travelling beside her in a support boat piloted by a family friend. Her family swam with her at times, encouraging her along the way. At some point, the weather got rough again, and her dad reported 4 and 5 foot waves in the middle of the lake. After just over 9 hours of nonstop swimming, Kaitlin was met by a cheering crown at Livingstonia (yes, named after David Livingstone) beach in Salima, Malawi. Exhausted, and not one for the spotlight, Kaitlin chose to remain in the water to cool down and get some strength back in her tired limbs.
It was a really neat experience for me. I assigned these projects hoping to help my students feel a little more purposeful- to find some meaning in their lives. I knew it would be hard work for them, but that's good! I still think this project was a good idea, and I look forward to hearing more about the amazing things my kiddos are doing. What I didn't count on was the effect this would have on their teacher, their families, and even the international community. Kaitlin received hundreds of thousands of kwacha (our currency) and was able to buy 54 Bibles and is donating the rest of the money to help with other needs in Adziwa. As cool as all of that is, I have to say, the most moving event for me was watching Kaitlin's mom come off of the boat. (Kaitlin's dad had left a few hours earlier with a nasty bout of seasickness, so he was actually in the water swimming out to meet her.) This wonderful momma watched her daughter endure some really really hard things in those 9 long hours. She had hugs for everyone around, but soon collapsed into a chair nearby, exhausted physically and emotionally from the experience. She'd just done a really hard thing- watched her daughter endure unnecessary pain for the good of someone else. Talking to her later, she told me of Kaitlin's determination and attitude. I can't quote directly, but basically Kaitlin told her after everything was over, "Ya know, mom...we prayed for God to take away the storm but instead He gave me the strength to endure it."
What a beautiful picture, ya know? First, of a mother's love. Hope you don't find me blasphemous, but God is given motherly imagery in scripture- such as the idea of a mother hen gathering her chicks under her wings to protect them. So I see this mother's love as an incredible picture of God, ever beside his children, watching them endure the storm that He's allowed to come their direction, knowing it's for their good. Not to mention a picture of God's love for Christ, allowing Him to make the ultimate sacrifice on MY behalf. And then, the love of her father, standing anxiously on the shore, waiting for her to arrive. Soon, that wasn't enough. He couldn't just wait. We watched him excitedly wade into the water and swim in Kaitlin's direction, escorting her in, swimming the last meters with her. I mean, how much sweeter does it get? What wonderful love Christ gives us- not just waiting for us to arrive at the finish line, but swimming out to meet us, experiencing the trial with us, meeting us where we are. And finally, I was so encouraged by Kaitlin's perseverance. Like she said- I'm sure they prayed (we all prayed) for God to provide calm weather and good conditions on the lake. Though conditions were save, God chose to let the storm come, and instead of sheltering Kaitlin, he gave her the strength to press on. To endure. What faith in such a young girl to trust her Heavenly Father in such a huge task...
Kaitlin inspired all of us. This young lady's determination and faith are beautiful things.
And I don't mean in any way to take away from the work of any of my other students. Their tasks are challenging in so many ways, be it working with people from other cultures, organizing and scheduling events, or simply finding time in busy schedules to take on more responsibility than has been expected of them in the past. It's a huge thing I'm asking of these kids. I'm asking them to be adults. To give of themselves sacrificially. To take on a burden that they normally would not. But as they go, I hope you'll be praying for them, that God will give them strength to endure. And I hope you'll pray for me as I attempt to guide them through the process.
And most of all, I hope you'll endure whatever storm you're currently swimming through. Search for strength in the God who cannot turn you away. The God who feels, who understands, who is running to meet you, who is allowing this for your good, though his heart is pained with every agony you endure. As Paul (or whoever wrote Hebrews) encouraged us, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Earlier in the year I asked my 11th graders to write a journal (relating to a poem we'd read) that basically said how'd they'd face death, if they knew it was coming tomorrow. I was surprised to hear their answers. Overwhelmingly, they expressed sentiments about wanting to do more with their lives, wanting to make a difference, wanting to make their parents proud, and wanting to be remembered. They felt like their lives hadn't done enough of these things. Well, as their overambitious English teacher, I couldn't just let that go...
So, I did some research on the concept of Service-Learning, and took on the exciting task of having my students create individual Service Learning Projects for themselves to complete in the following months. I asked them to come up with something they can do to benefit or serve their community in some way. They then had to write a project/research proposal with a description of their project, ways they were gonna make it happen, a schedule, a proposal for a research topic connected with their project, and why their idea was of value from a Christian worldview. (Don't worry...I was nice when grading these. I realize it's a lot of work!)
All this to say, last Saturday 2 of my students began working on the practical aspects of their projects. Ryan Epperson is one, and he began a project in connection with the organization his dad works with. I must admit he's way more knowledgeable than I am about what he's doing, but it involves planting A LOT of trees to combat the massive amount of deforestation in Malawi, as well as teaching youth from Gusu and/or Jidi villages about ways to take care of the environment around them. It's a really neat way of encouraging Malawians to be good stewards of the natural resources in the gorgeous country God has given them. Ryan is awesome, and though I happen to know he wasn't very excited about this project, I'm very proud of what he's been doing and the difference he'll make through this.
The other student, Kaitlin Harthoorn, took on the massive feat of swimming 25 kilometers across Lake Malawi to raise money to buy Bibles in Chichewa for Adziwa orphanage (I'm hazy on details of the name here, so my apologies if I'm not 100% correct. My understanding is that Adziwa village is being aided in taking care of the orphans in their area, and families who agree to take in children are given a stipend to help out in the process. So Kaitlin wanted to provide a Bible in Chichewa for every family and Chief involved in this project. Now, Kaitlin is already a pretty incredible swimmer. She's on the ABC swim team, and travels around southern Africa participating in swim meets and such. I thought it was cool she was using her talents/skills for such a good cause. So Saturday, Aly and I went to the lake to meet her as she swam in from the opposite side of the lake. A man from South Africa, I believe, had been helping Kaitlin train, and he swam the lake that day as well. Their goal was to beat the current record time (something like 9hours 45minutes). Kaitlin's trainer swam ahead of her a bit and came in somewhere around 8.5 hours I believe.
I have to admit, when Kaitlin told me about this project, I was pretty impressed, but I didn't realize the determination it would take. This girl had been training something like you'd train for a marathon, only in the pool. She had to change her eating habits a bit leading up to the swim, and put in crazy numbers of hours in the ABC pool working toward this goal. As they were planning for a 8+ hour swim, there was the issue of how to stay nourished and keep one's body going during that time in the water without a break. Kaitlin was determined though, and choked down some not so yummy gooey pastey stuffs while swimming to make this work. Pretty crazy. Did I mention she's only 17?
So, as Aly and I sat on the beach all afternoon being totally lazy, Kaitlin was ready for her swim at 5 am, but weather difficulties delayed her start til around 7:30 that morning. Her parents, brother and sister, and swim coach were travelling beside her in a support boat piloted by a family friend. Her family swam with her at times, encouraging her along the way. At some point, the weather got rough again, and her dad reported 4 and 5 foot waves in the middle of the lake. After just over 9 hours of nonstop swimming, Kaitlin was met by a cheering crown at Livingstonia (yes, named after David Livingstone) beach in Salima, Malawi. Exhausted, and not one for the spotlight, Kaitlin chose to remain in the water to cool down and get some strength back in her tired limbs.
It was a really neat experience for me. I assigned these projects hoping to help my students feel a little more purposeful- to find some meaning in their lives. I knew it would be hard work for them, but that's good! I still think this project was a good idea, and I look forward to hearing more about the amazing things my kiddos are doing. What I didn't count on was the effect this would have on their teacher, their families, and even the international community. Kaitlin received hundreds of thousands of kwacha (our currency) and was able to buy 54 Bibles and is donating the rest of the money to help with other needs in Adziwa. As cool as all of that is, I have to say, the most moving event for me was watching Kaitlin's mom come off of the boat. (Kaitlin's dad had left a few hours earlier with a nasty bout of seasickness, so he was actually in the water swimming out to meet her.) This wonderful momma watched her daughter endure some really really hard things in those 9 long hours. She had hugs for everyone around, but soon collapsed into a chair nearby, exhausted physically and emotionally from the experience. She'd just done a really hard thing- watched her daughter endure unnecessary pain for the good of someone else. Talking to her later, she told me of Kaitlin's determination and attitude. I can't quote directly, but basically Kaitlin told her after everything was over, "Ya know, mom...we prayed for God to take away the storm but instead He gave me the strength to endure it."
What a beautiful picture, ya know? First, of a mother's love. Hope you don't find me blasphemous, but God is given motherly imagery in scripture- such as the idea of a mother hen gathering her chicks under her wings to protect them. So I see this mother's love as an incredible picture of God, ever beside his children, watching them endure the storm that He's allowed to come their direction, knowing it's for their good. Not to mention a picture of God's love for Christ, allowing Him to make the ultimate sacrifice on MY behalf. And then, the love of her father, standing anxiously on the shore, waiting for her to arrive. Soon, that wasn't enough. He couldn't just wait. We watched him excitedly wade into the water and swim in Kaitlin's direction, escorting her in, swimming the last meters with her. I mean, how much sweeter does it get? What wonderful love Christ gives us- not just waiting for us to arrive at the finish line, but swimming out to meet us, experiencing the trial with us, meeting us where we are. And finally, I was so encouraged by Kaitlin's perseverance. Like she said- I'm sure they prayed (we all prayed) for God to provide calm weather and good conditions on the lake. Though conditions were save, God chose to let the storm come, and instead of sheltering Kaitlin, he gave her the strength to press on. To endure. What faith in such a young girl to trust her Heavenly Father in such a huge task...
Kaitlin inspired all of us. This young lady's determination and faith are beautiful things.
And I don't mean in any way to take away from the work of any of my other students. Their tasks are challenging in so many ways, be it working with people from other cultures, organizing and scheduling events, or simply finding time in busy schedules to take on more responsibility than has been expected of them in the past. It's a huge thing I'm asking of these kids. I'm asking them to be adults. To give of themselves sacrificially. To take on a burden that they normally would not. But as they go, I hope you'll be praying for them, that God will give them strength to endure. And I hope you'll pray for me as I attempt to guide them through the process.
And most of all, I hope you'll endure whatever storm you're currently swimming through. Search for strength in the God who cannot turn you away. The God who feels, who understands, who is running to meet you, who is allowing this for your good, though his heart is pained with every agony you endure. As Paul (or whoever wrote Hebrews) encouraged us, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Thanks Alison, very insightful and well-written.
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