“The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble” Proverbs 19:23
This month has been a reminder that I am not in control and nothing in this life is certain except for Christ. The month started out, I guess, with what you would call normal school and the same things that we do every day. Then on the 13th an AP team arrived here which consisted of my parents, my best friend, and youth leaders. I think it would be safe to say it was the best team that has come through so far. Well, for me anyhow! It was a wonderful week and they brought some greatly needed supplies for the kids and were able to spend some time with the children, which is always important. My dad and Nate fixed a few things around the building and put doors on some of the cupboards. Also, we were able to worm all of the kids and take weight and height measurements to see how they are growing. All of the kids except three grew. That was encouraging to me to know that they are growing and seem to be somewhat healthy.
The rest of that week was mostly fun for us, I was very happy that finally I was able to show my parents where I live and what I have been doing while I am here. I also introduced them to the people that have been such a blessing in my life. We were able to take some kids to the beach with us and that was a blessing for the kids to get out and for the team to get to know those kids better.
However, the next week we didn’t have any visitors and life was more chaotic than normal. Everything had finally fallen into place and the house was getting painted. The workers started the day before the team got here and didn’t finish until just a few days ago. They sanded all of the places where the paint was coming off and repainted everything so hopefully, the lead issue will be under control.
During this time, the week right after the team left, I couldn’t have school because they were painting my classroom or areas of the house which interfered with the kids coming to class. When the painting was finished we went back to class and have been having a lot of fun.
Recently, we have been learning how to count money, I have some change that I brought from the states and they are working with that. Their favorite activity is when I put all of the money on the desk for them to use. Then I have cookies or candy and they have to use that money to buy candy from me and must give me the correct amount of money. Another part of school that is very encouraging is that the children seem to be enjoying story time more and more and are now trying to read themselves. In fact there are a couple of the kids that can read now.
On the 28th a group of Lighthouse parents arrived here and they also brought donations for us and were able to bring a lot of joy and excitement for the kids. They came and had a birthday party for their son and played games with all of the kids and the children all got a new toy. The parents also took the older boys to the beach for a fun day out and everyone had a great time.
Just a few days later another set of parents arrived here and took their daughter and a couple of the kids back to the hotel with them, so there was a lot of coming and going.
One good thing that happened while they were here is that a little girl and boy found out that they now have parents and received presents and were able to see pictures of their parents for the first time.
Also this month we had three children go home and there is one more that is supposed to go next week. However we have just received two new little ones, a baby boy about one year old and a little girl about two.
Now for the exciting part, I told friends of mine that I would take care of their house, kids, and dogs while they are gone and I was supposed to move in this weekend. So I told Margarette about this and shortly afterwards she told me that she had found a woman to come and take over the head nanny position at BRESMA 2. Then she called me and told me this woman was coming on Monday, the 2nd and I thought she was just coming to meet the kids and me and then come move in on Friday. However she came with all of her belongings to move in and Margarette said she thought I was moving out that day. So I packed all of my bags and called a friend and told them what had happened, and they were gracious enough to let me stay with them this week and take me to the orphanage every day.
As I was walking out of the orphanage with all of my things the kids were really upset because they thought that I was leaving for good and some of them started to cry even though I told them that I was coming back the next day and would come back for school and to take care of them every day. They were a bit better the next day when I did come back, but they were still not happy that I wasn’t staying there all the time.
Now we are in a time of transition and training, I really hope that this new person works out well for everyone. She seems to be nice, but she doesn’t speak English, which is a draw back because that is really big for the parents that come down. For right now I can’t offer a lot of information or opinion because she hasn’t been here very long.
These were all of the major events of this month. What did I learn from all of that? I have learned, or better have been reminded, that God is in control of everything and that no matter how hard I try I will never be in control and it is better that way. People are unpredictable and situations always change whether we want them to or not. The best thing that any person could ever have is the ability to seek God and have peace through any situation. The more flexible you allow yourself to become the more God can use you. I was also reminded how important it is to start you day off with God. There have been very few days since I have been here that I have not spent my first minutes and usually several of them with the Lord, However the week my parents were here that seemed to not happen and I paid for it. I don’t have the peace, patience, knowledge, or anything for that matter to survive on my own. It is good to be reminded of that every once in awhile or I could become prideful.
Please join me in praying for these things
· God’s will be done in this place
· Safety (I will now be driving)
· Wisdom of how to take care of all of the things God has entrusted to me
· The new woman, that she will learn and be willing to do the things she needs to
· The children’s paperwork will move quickly so they can go home
· Everything comes together for my travels home
Serving God for His glory,
Maryann Woelk
