Global Fast

Picture to the left is from North Korea: Political factors cause hunger in North Korea. Photo courtesy of World Health Organization, 2005.

This past Friday some of the secondary students participated in Global Fast. Jeremy Cramer had been made aware of an organization that was encouraging people all over the world to fast for a day and to give the money that would have been spent on food that day to an organization that is directly involved in helping fight world hunger and poverty. So, Friday was the day that we chose to do this. We were not sure how many students would be involved as it hadn't been talked about other than in Bible Class and a short announcement in chapel, but it was a really cool day. Jeremy's 10th grade Bible Class spent Thursday's class decorating the music room transforming it into a prayer room...we finished up that afternoon-hanging posters and printing out prayer requests and information/facts about "world hunger".

At lunch time i entered the "prayer room" and it was already full with students sitting at different spots, in front of maps, praying on their knees or sitting quietly by themselves, lifting up the incredible needs of people around the world. One especially touching scene was two Korean students weeping as they prayed for North Korea-being from South Korea, many still have relatives/connections to South Korea. It made my heart break seeing that their hearts were breaking for the many, many victims of an unjust government.

My heart felt especially burdened for the mothers...we had a slide show going on in the auditorium with pictures from some of the poorest, most destitute places through out the world. As i watched the pictures go by, i just couldn't help but think about the women in the pictures-moms, just like me. How do they make the choice of whether to feed themselves or their child? How do they make the decision of which child will get food or which one needs more? I just can't fathom having to choose. As i look at my two children, i realize over and over again how blessed i am. Both are healthy and thriving-what would i be like if that were not the case.

It was a humbling day and one of just seeing God building in our students another big part of our faith-standing in the gap for others, putting others' needs first, feeling compassion and hurt for those who are hurting...may we never become hardened to those in need.

Enough-Yes God is!

Just wanted to give a bit of an update. Nick and Annaliese are in Singapore today and tomorrow. They saw the neurologist and he prescribed medicine to hopefully break the cycle. He didn't feel like there was anything wrong with her neurologically so that is a praise. They are now seeing an internist to see if there might be some other causes for the non-stop headaches. Just hoping and praying they can figure out what it is.

Luke is still sick. He has a bad head cold that is really draining him. He went to school half day, played a bit in his team's b-ball game and then came home and just laid on the couch. He made it through til lunch today but then we came home and he has been in bed since. Sure seems like we have had our share of illnesses at our house. Enough is enough!

I am learning through all of this. I have realized how much i was hanging onto my kids and was fooled into thinking that I knew what is best for them. After some time in prayer with good friends, God showed this to me and i was able to give them back to Him-to see that my role is to love and nurture but to not protect them from pain and illness. I have had such peace since then. I am tired of this trial and the worry thoughts still pop into my head from time to time but there is also just a sense of calm that God is taking care of us. He has their best in mind as things come into their lives. I just started reading the book that my blog title is from and the author says, " In God's reign, 'everything belongs,' even the broken and poor parts....You do not resolve the God question in your head - or even in the perfection of moral response. It is resolved in you, when you agree to bear the mystery of God: God's suffereing for the world and God's ecstasy in the world."

International Day

Last week was International Day. Each of the classes at school study a different country for about a month and then at the end of the study we have a travel day when classes get to go and see what the other classes have learned. Then the next day there is a program with classes performing something from the country and then a big pot luck with LOTS of yummy foods. It is one of my most favorite days each year. :) Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Handing over Ceremony