Teaching Chapel, Purpose for My Past, and Praying with Students...Random!!!

3rd Grade Chapel - Are You the Older Brother?
My 3rd Graders were the teachers in Elementary Chapel this past week.  Our theme is Responsibility this school year and we have been focusing on this statement:

Do What Is Right Because It Is Right, Even When No One Is Looking

As I thought about this topic and listened to other classes present on how God sees everything we do and we should still do what is right even if no one sees us.  It made me think of the story of the Prodigal Brothers.  We tend to focus on the rebellious brother who runs away with his Father's money.  However, I started to think about the Older Brother who stays behind.  While on the outside it looks like he is obedient and doing what is right, his attitude shows that he is not doing it for the right reason.  I had my students think about times when they realized they were doing something good to but to either get recognition or a reward for doing it.  You see, in my class I have many students who stay on the color "green" all day and always show obedience.  But, I wanted them to realize that they might start to think that they are super cool, amazing kids just because they were able to obey.  This might lead to being proud of their righteousness.  Jesus clearly tells us in the Bible that no one is righteous, not even one!  The reason we can love and obey at all is because Jesus first loved us and sacrificed for us.  Our motivation to do something right should be because Jesus did what was right first.  A few of my students wrote down personal stories about when they were acting like the Older Brother and what God taught them.

"One day I wanted to have a (stuffed animal) monkey of our classroom for the weekend.  The monkeys name was Meticulous.  So, I be the honest person in the classroom and obedient.  So, then Friday come and Miss Bergmann handle (handed out) the monkeys but I diren't won Meticulous.  So then I feel jealous but I learned that you don't have to be obedient or honest to just have something you want.  So you have to do what is right because it is right even when no one is looking.  The End."

"We were at math class.  A girl had left her math journal on the carpet.  No one was looking.  I thought it was fun to put her math journal in lost and found.  I knew it was hers, so I put it in lost and found.  I thought nothing was going to happen until I heard Miss Bergmann say, "Everybody put your heads down and whoever put her math journal in lost and found, please raise your hand.  Or no one will get to play at recess."  For my fault no one was going to play all because of me!!!  I had to raise my hand, so I did.  Do what is right no matter what even if no one is looking."

Some of the boys in my class wrote a song to go with our topic we were teaching on.  Here is copy of their wrap song :-)

Connecting with Students:
1. Being born with a genetic disorder (Turner's Syndrome), I have struggled with letting people know this side of me and having this fact control my identity.  God has graciously healed me of any hurt and fear I used to have and I am now comfortable sharing my testimony about how God has used a hard situation in life for good.  His glory shines through this story.  It makes me really excited when God uses this part of life to help someone else who is struggling (not necessarily with the exact same thing, but similar enough that we can relate.).  Just this past week, I have been able to connect with one of my students and was able to share with her my experiences growing up with this disorder.  This student is smaller in size and was out for a couple of days getting growth hormone shots to help make her taller.  I had already connected with this student as she struggled earlier in the year about being teased for her size.

Once she came back to school, I welcomed her back into class and gave her a hug.  She still looked tired.  I smiled at her and told her that I would love to have a special lunch with her because I understood what she just went through.  The look on her face was one of comfort.  We had such a good lunch as I shared with her my experience of getting shots and people teasing me when I was young.  I was able to remind her that God made both of us just how he wanted us to be.  He loves us just as we are and wouldn't change anything about us.  This actually brought healing to me as I began to see more and more purpose in having Turner's Syndrome.  If being able to encourage and help one of my students, it is all worth it.  This whole year I have seen her grow closer to Christ and really learn how much he loves her.  What a privilege to be a part of her faith!!

2. One of students who has struggled with friendships all year and feeling accepted by his classmates had a rough day last week.  He broke down crying during Spanish, so I was able to take him out in the hallway and talk with him.  What he was feeling was that no one liked him and that he had no friends.  I asked how his faith was helping him through this.  He began to explain how he has prayed to God to help change his friends' hearts to be nicer to him.  Also, he has been praying that God would help him be less sensitive to the things that his friends do to him.   But, then he said that even after these prayers he feels like God is not answering them.  This just made me so sad.  I shared with this student ways I have seen him growing this year and how I saw God working in his life.  Change takes time and I encouraged him to keep praying!!  May God show himself so strongly and clear to this student who is crying out for faith!!


Pics of LEGO and Nemocon
Below are some pictures of our fun LEGO Robotics week in Science thanks to an ECA alumna and her family.  We had such a fun time building and designing monkeys, lions, birds, and an alligator!  Also, here are some pictures of our Teacher Appreciation trip to Nemocon to eat a delicious lunch and visit a less touristic Salt Cathedral.  We definitely felt appreciated by the parents and the school.

Prayers/Praises:
For my parents who are travelling to Colombia to visit from June 2nd through the 13th to see the ministry of ECA again and to help move back to Chicago.  Details, details...

Please continue to pray for my transition back to the USA - for the good-bye process that is coming up soon and for integrating back into life at the Orchard and with my friends who are still in the Chicago area.

For the work God has done all year - may the students see the fruit and see the areas in which they have grown this year!  At this point, I have been focused on what hasn't changed yet, but pray that God would help us all focus on what did change!!

Pray for open positions at the school for next year - we still need a High School Science Teacher and either Kindergarten/3rd Grade Teacher still.  For those involved, may they trust that God will send the right people to fill these roles like He does every year.

For the sake of the gospel,
Carrie

Celebrate Colombia!!

One of my favorite days during the school year, ECA takes the time to celebrate Colombia and the heritage and history of their country.  Each class learns dances or tells stories about the history of their country.  I love how much cultural background they have.  The dances, costumes, and decorations are such a beautiful way to help our students fall in love with Colombia.  Below are a few dances or skits that the classes performed.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!!

11th Grade - Joropo

2nd Grade - This is Colombia!

4th Grade - Danza de Oro (Dance of Gold)

  

12th Grade

PK - Cumbia

1st Grade - Mapale

7th Grade

3rd Grade Skit

All of the students did so well and prepared so hard for this day.  I am so proud of all of them!!!!

Prayers/Praises:

Please pray for my transition back to the USA.  I am finding it hard to balance finishing life here in Colombia well while also needing to think about the future.  It is pulling me in many different directions with many emotions that come along with it.  May I truly trust and depend on Jesus at this time :-0

For my students - that they would love and be kind to one another and realize that their "joking" is actually really hurting some of their friends.  One student expressed to me that they have been praying to God about friendships (which are really difficult for this student) and that they feel like God is not listening or wants to help.  I was able to pray with him, but please join me in encouraging and lifting up this student in prayer!

Hands and Feet of Christ

Serving at Acoinprev

We had the privilege of inviting our friends from Acoinprev to visit our school recently.  After visiting them at their school back in October, my students were excited to love their new friends and be able to show them their school.  We had such a fun morning of playing games in English, making an Art Project (which my kids had already made, so they had to be the teachers!), playing soccer, and sharing our school library with them.

After we had fun playing and becoming better friends, we all came together and shared a snack.  Each student from ECA brought in snacks to share.  They were so excited to share food with their new friends who are from a poorer area of Bogota.  We ended our fun morning with singing a worship song and then telling them about Jesus.  One of our parents shared a story comparing the return of the Colombia National Soccer Team last summer after the World Cup with Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem during Easter.  The students listened and learned all about who Jesus is and all about the special way we should welcome Him into our hearts.

After our friends left, my 3rd Graders wrote reflections and shared with each other about their experiences that morning.  Below, I have put some pictures of our morning and some of the thoughts from my 3rd Graders.  Enjoy!

"I help a friend named Sofia.  I help her in art.  She nows (knows) how to spell strawberry because I help her.  I serve a girl named Daniel.  She say thank you because I hand her my snack and show her friendship."

"This morning I felt good because I knew that it was going to be fun to serve them.  I pray that they would believe always in Jesus, remember that he is our Savior and more things."

"I'm going to pray for a new bathroom in Acoinprev.  I take 2 girls to the bathroom and they were like look how the toilets flush!!"

"I felt like they were an unreached people.  We did very well by giving them snacks, and love, and friendship, too!"

"So you can pray for them so God can go in their heart and so they can be more close to you and get you in their heart, God."

"It was awesome to serve.  I like to serve!"

"Good because we share with them and tried to be friends with them.  So we didn't feel sad because they or us didn't like each other.  I serve them by helping them in art.  Something surprising was that a kid plays good soccer!"

"Me and my friend were doing a lot of stuff together like doing the art stuff and doing the english games.  My favorite part was going outside and playing soccer.  What surprised me was that a girl of Acoinprev didn't recognize me when I was with her last time always."

"It felt really good serving them because we showing God's will and how God serves us and how we can serve them."

"My favorite part was in art.  It was the only time I got to communicate a little with Acoinprev kids.  I wonder if they ever bring snack to school?  It felt good to share our snacks and school with them."
.

"We are making pencil toppers and a girl named Laura asked me how to put it.  I was so surprise because she was the first one to ask me a question.  I want to pray for them.  Please help them know about more Jesus and God and please they can be good and don't hurt!"

"It was really cool when we play something of "Headbanz" and they didn't know how to play.  I got to help teach them.  They already know a lot of words in inglish like "bathroom" and "trash can".  I felt really good because they learn more about God and how to compare God and another person."
.

"The thing that surprise me is that a girl of Acoinprev played a lot of soccer.  It was cool!  Well, first I felt good when I shared a snack and it felt a lot more funner that I thought."

Prayers and Praises:
Please pray for hearts of my students - that they would realize how their teasing is actually hurting their friends.  Also, for any student that is feeling left out, rejected, or bullied - that they would have power and strength in Jesus to listen to who Jesus says they are over what they are feeling from their friends comments.

For my transitioning back to the USA in June - it will be really difficult to leave this wonderful community and ministry.  Please pray for faith and trust in God to surrender to Him all of the emotions and feelings I will experience during this time.

Blessings,
Carrie

Decisions: How do we know where God wants us?

Making decisions has always been hard for me.  So, you can imagine how hard the decision would be to make to continue at ECA for another year or to return to the USA.  My heart is in love with both places and I felt like I was making a choice between 2 very good options.  I would love to share with you my process of discerning what God plans are for me for the future.

Confirmation through Scripture: The question that kept coming to me was, "Lord, where do you want me?  Make your direction clear so that I know where you want me to follow.  My desire is to serve and follow you, God, so make that path clear for me."  For those that know my story, God has made that abundantly clear the past three years.  Three years ago, when God encouraged me to step out in faith and move to Colombia, the life of Elijah in 1 Kings were scripture verses that spoke right to my heart.  When I prayed about returning for the following years, the words of Esther spoke to my heart saying, "You were called for such a time as this!"

As Pastor Colin Smith recently told us in a sermon, if we want to know what God is telling us, all we need to do is read his Word!  This definitely was true for me as I served God here in Colombia these past 3 years.  I began to seek his Word again, longing for a clear message from his Word to guide me.  When a clear direction wasn't coming, I continued searching with a different focus in mind.  Maybe I was searching for too specific of details.  With as much as I desired to know specifically if God wanted me in Colombia for the next year, my detailed questions were met with silence.  The message I finally concluded that God was giving me was this:

"Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."   Joshua 1:9

You see, God was reminding me that he will use me wherever I choose to be.  No matter what ministry I get involved in or stay with serving, God will bless that choice and be with his children wherever they go.  It didn't matter if I stayed in Colombia, returned home to Chicago, or ended up some place different.  This verse released me from the fear of making a wrong decision and from feeling paralyzed from taking the next steps in deciding.  In a sense, God was asking me where I wanted to serve Him.  I still didn't know the answer to that question.

Looking for God's Fingerprints:
As I started seeking whether there was a longer future for me here at ECA, the opportunity was presented to me to go back to school and become an administrator for the school.  As I pondered what that might look like, I knew the school had a need and that I had to decide whether I was willing and capable of filling it.  While I love filling in a need that an organization has, I had never thought of myself as an administrator before.  I always saw myself in the classroom with the kids.  Knowing that I would probably never use this new degree in the USA if I returned, I decided that it wasn't wise to take on more student loans for a degree that I would really only use at ECA.  I decided that while it was a privilege to be thought of in this way, it was something I had to say no to.  God's fingerprints were not leading in that directions once I explored what it might look like.

Next, I was approached by my church to come home to complete about 2 years of training and then be re-deployed somewhere else as a missionary.  This would include training in church planting and would be using my Spanish knowledge.  While I am still processing this and need more information, I concluded that for the time being, I would like to settle back into a teaching job back near Chicago.

When I started exploring the possibility of coming back to the Chicago area, I decided to put my resume out to some of the school districts.  I also have talked with people at church about possible ministries I could get involved in if I was back home.  God's fingerprints were all over these conversations and opportunities.  I have had an interview with a school where God seems to be bringing together my Spanish knowledge and my passion for special needs students.  Also, I already see ways I can be involved back at my church in Chicago, which is a wonderful vision to have already.

"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."  2 Chronicles 16:9

Lastly, this whole last year I have struggled with being away from my family and close friends.  God reminded me when I left for Colombia that He alone is my provider.  At times when I would miss my family, Jesus would be there to help me deal with my emotions, feelings, and the sacrifices that I was going to have to make.  I learned that these family and friend sacrifices were worth it to be at ECA and this wonderful community of believers in Colombia telling them about who Jesus is.  I kept praying and asking God to let me know how long I am supposed to be sacrificing these precious people.  I prayed that he would make me willing to keep sacrificing my family and that my strong desire to live and be closer to my family would not be more important that following Christ.   After a lot of prayer, my desire did not go away but actually increased.  I believe that this is God's way of telling me that my true desire is to be back home and that my time at ECA is coming to an end.  This decision has been a difficult one.  Leaving the people I have loved for the past 3 years will not be easy.  Leaving the comfort and mission that I have poured my heart into these past 3 years makes me think I may not find anything else quite like what I experienced at El Camino.  But, I know that God's fingerprints are over my life, guiding me no matter where I go.  I am excited to see what is next.  With faith, I am moving forward to settling back in Chicago once more.

So, thank you to all of you who have supported me these past 3 years!  I will be sending out more information soon about how ending my time at ECA will look for those who have supported me financially.  As far as prayers, please cover my transition period in prayer and that I would end my last 2 months here well.  I want to finish the work God has for me here with faith.

Blessings,
Carrie

Jesus: Mighty To Save

In Elementary Chapel this week, we focused on Easter and what it really means for Jesus to die on the cross for us.  During worship, I wanted the kids to sing, "Mighty To Save" as we head into Easter Week.  The songs main focus is that Jesus can move mountains for us, and he was so mighty that He conquered death by rising from the grave for our sins.  I began to as myself: What is Jesus mighty to save ME from??

As I have walked my young Christian life, I am so grateful to look back and realize how different my life would be without Jesus.  He has saved me from selfishness, impatiences, pride, jealousy, fears about my life and future...the list goes on!  Sometimes I don't even realize the things He is still protecting and saving me from.  Jesus saved me from a life without meaning or purpose.  Jesus saved me from a life of not knowing what real love is.  He saved me from an eternal life of separation from my Heavenly Father who created me.

As we sang the song, the kids went to 4 different papers around the room and wrote one sin that they struggle with.  We talked about examples of things that are very common struggles for them: lying, cheating, being mean to a friend, disobeying...

As the song ended and their voices began to sing louder with me, we brought their papers to the front and taped them on a wooden cross.  I reminded them that because of the cross, we are forgiven from all of these things that we just wrote down.  Jesus was and is still mighty to save us from all of these sins!  This message just continues to give me so much hope,  We praised Jesus and thanked him for being our Savior and for being MIGHTY TO SAVE all of his precious children.

Mighty to Save:

Everyone needs compassion

A love that's never failing

Let mercy fall on me

Everyone needs forgiveness

The kindness of a Savior

The hope of nations!

Savior, He can move a mountain

My God is mighty to save

He is mighty to save!

Forever, Author of Salvation

He rose and conquered the grave

Jesus conquered the grave!

So, take me as you find me

All my fears and failures

Fill my life again

I give my life to follow

Everything I believe in

Now I surrender

Savior, He can move a mountain

My God is mighty to save

He is mighty to save!

Forever, Author of Salvation

He rose and conquered the grave

Jesus conquered the grave!

Prayers and Praises:

Pray that my students (and everyone reading this!) do know the message of salvation from Jesus and that they have willingly and openly accepted his gift that he offers on the cross.  Easter is such a great time to reflect on our eternal salvation.  

Pray for a team from ECA who just left for the Amazon!  They will be serving as medical missionaries to the Ticuna tribe who lives in the southern Amazon region of Colombia.  Please pray for strength and boldness as they share the word of God while translating between 4 different languages (English, Spanish, Ticuna, and Portuguese).

Pray for a safe trip home this coming week to see my new nephew!

Continued guidance as I am in the final steps of seeking God and making a decision for next year at ECA.  

Blessings,

Carrie

Bogota Birthday and 3rd Floor Celebration

My birthday weekend was filled with wonderful surprises and time with loved ones.  God has blessed me with many wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ that helped me celebrate.  My first surprise came back in January when I was unpacking from my visit home for Christmas.  My family had snuck in some birthday cards as a surprise for me.  Believe it or not...I waited until my birthday to open them :-0  Thank you to everyone who called, sent me a message, or spent time with me on my birthday.  I am so thankful for your friendship and your partnership in my ministry here in Colombia.  At a time when I am away from family, it really encourages me to be surrounded by all of you.  Here are a few highlights and blessings that filled my heart over my birthday weekend.  Praising God for his goodness to me and your warmth and friendship that you showed.

1. Birthday Phone Call with my birthday twin, Margo
It is always a highlight of my birthday to talk with my mentor and birthday twin, Margo!  I have never shared a birthday with anyone I was that close to until a few years ago.  We were able to connect with each other and catch up for our birthday.  She continues to be a blessing in my life and I am truly thankful for the time I got to talk with her on Saturday even with both of us having busy schedules.  Love you, Margo!

2. Dinner with my ECA friends
Many of my teacher friends at ECA came with me to dinner for my birthday.  We went to my favorite Italian restaurant in the local mall called Archies.  It just reminded me of what a great community we have here and I am so grateful that they were able to celebrate with me as my adopted family.  One of my closest friends here (and my roommate from the past 2 years), Brittney, remembered that my mom always makes me something with pumpkin in it for my birthday dessert.  Brittney is such a sweetheart and made me a dozen chocolate chip pumpkin muffins with delicious cream cheese frosting!

3. Party with my students and their amazing families
My students took me out of the city to an outdoor country club for my birthday located in a city called Sopo  It was so nice to be outside of the busyness of Bogota.  Warm air and sunshine made our afternoon great.  Many of my students wrote me the sweetest cards and blessed me with their warmth and gratitude.  During our prayer time, I shared with my group abut my decision process of coming to ECA and whether I would be staying for another year.  They know that I miss my family and they were so encouraging and reminded me that I have a wonderful Christian family right here in Bogota.  What an undeserved blessing!

 5. Birthday Night phone call with my parents:
I finally arrived home late from spending the day with my students.  But, a birthday is not complete until you get to talk with the people who love you the most and think about you the most on your birthday - your parents!!  It was a great way to end a special weekend.

 Prayers and Praises:
For the celebration of the opening of our 3rd floor at El Camino!  My students have really enjoyed using the new MPR, Art room, and Music room.  God has been so faithful to us and we wanted to celebrate and express our thankfulness to Him.  We had an all school assembly to celebrate.  Throughout the day, each class could go up and tour the new 3rd floor and write a note of thankfulness on a sticky note to add to the wall.  Praise God for whom all these wonderful new blessings flow.  Enjoy some pictures below!

Please continue to pray for my decision - it is really difficult!  I will be deciding within the next 2 weeks, since I will be enjoying a very quick trip back to the States during Easter Week (Spring Break) so that I can see my new adorable nephew.  I will be in Chicago from March 30th until April 4th.  It's a short time, just enough to spend time with my family and attend the Good Friday service at the Orchard.  I would like to decide before I fly :-)  Thanks for all of your continued prayer and support!  My heart is divided between 2 places and countries that I love.  Specifically, please pray that I would be able to discern the true desires of my heart and that they would align with God's will.

Blessings,
Carrie