Monday, February 23, 2015

Rainin' down in Africa

Last night I had that nervous feeling I used to get before my first day of school - meeting new people, not knowing what to expect, excited to get back into the swing of things.  Maybe you can relate!  Today was our first normal day of teaching and tutoring with the seminary wives and children. 

It was a gloomy day with constant rain, but that did not reflect on the faces of the children and seminary wives Melanie and I were privileged to work with today.   Throughout the day we held three hour-long tutoring sessions for the seminary children.  Although we had a schedule prepared we were blessed with more attending than anticipated!  We played math games with them, read a few books, and discussed a bible story with the children (appropriately, God’s promise to Noah to never send a flood again was the story for today J)  The language barrier is definitely a huge challenge.  Regardless of the barrier, the children are so eager to learn and Melanie and I pray that we can meet each and every child at a level that is going to help them grow!


 Pictured above are a couple of the children we tutor throughout the day.  The level of responsibility and independence a lot of the kiddos have just amazes me.  Not only did the school children come for tutoring today but they also brought along several of their little siblings.  Melanie and I had a chuckle (several times) while tutoring because we had a parade of sirens and vocalists parading around the table area where we were working.  It was a simple way the munchkins kept themselves fully entertained for an hour and definitely brought huge smiles to our faces as well. 

The seminary wives were equally as smiley and eager to learn.  Melanie and I did a mixture of whole-group and small-group instruction.  My personal favorite activity was getting to see the ladies act out different scenarios that involved different emotions such as happy, angry, confused, etc.   Seeing them have so much fun with the game and not being afraid to take a risk in front of everyone was very encouraging. 

I am just amazed at the work God is doing here in Zambia and humbled that Melanie and I get to be an extremely small part of it.  Your comments and contact with us definitely adds even more joy to our days here.  Thank you and God bless!

Hugs,
Kelsi and Melanie


P.s. Another big perk to our work here is that we get to see the most adorable babies every single day!!  This little guy’s name is Bryen - Melanie and I are a bit obsessed… 


5 comments:

  1. Very nice posting again Kelsi and really enjoyed the pictures and hopefully there are a lot more to come. The children look so adorable and I know after 3 months you will have a hard time saying goodbye and I'm sure there will be some that will want to come back with you. It would be so cool if some of the ladies that you are teaching would come to the States and you could meet up with them again. You and Mel are going to leave such an impression on those women and children that they won't let you leave. God's Blessings to you both! Love, Dad

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  2. Proud of you both! Keep writing the great stories including the pictures!

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  3. Precious are the children of Africa and Kelsi your pretty awesome too. Mel I'm so happy that your keeping Kelsi on the move, how are those running shoes working out for you? Let your light for JESUS shine! love mom

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  4. I read these every night before I go to bed. Thanks for the sweet dreams :)

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  5. This blog and your posts on facebook are the highlight of my day. I love the pictures. It gives us even more idea as to what your days are like. The Lord has blessed you and Melanie. I'm sure it will be very hard to leave those children. They are adorable! I'm thinking when you come home you will be just as busy with writing your 1st novel. You are a very entertaining writer.... (blogger) love you lots. Hugs from Wisconsin!

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