Mondays with Allee

When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. Mark 10: 13-16      I am so thankful for a normal Monday after what was an exciting and eventful weekend here at KEMPS!  Saturday was our seventh grade graduation followed by “Children’s Sunday” yesterday at church.  The entire school had been preparing for this weekend for the past month- deciding on songs to be performed, choosing students to do special presentations, sending invitations, putting together committees of teachers to make sure all duties were delegated and handled properly.  But the final days before the big event were completely dedicated to preparations.        Wednesday afternoon the entire school gathered in the cafeteria/chapel for a rehearsal.  Then on Thursday the teachers met to discuss the different grade ...

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. Colossians 3: 23-24 It’s amazing the difference a month can make.  That’s how much longer I’ve been at KEMPS now than I was when I first arrived here, before COVID hit and all of our lives were turned upside down. While during that first month here I definitely started to feel at home and get to know the kids, things feel different now.  I feel settled.  The kids, not just the ones that I teach, know me, and I know them.  They come to my house at all hours of the day and night asking for crayons and paper, or a band aid, or ice for their sore knee, or to watch cartoons, or to cuddle with the kittens, because they know that I will pretty much always say yes.   I found that in teaching, and especially in missionary teaching, it can be really hard st...

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 I didn’t get a blog post up last week as we had just returned from a long weekend away in Mwanza visiting Joseph’s family.  Mwanza, Tanzania’s second largest city, is about an eight-hour bus ride around, an overnight ferry ride across, or a 20-minute flight over Lake Victoria from Bukoba (since our time was limited, we decided to fly).  Though we had talked about it many times, and even planned a trip in mid-April before COVID happened, this was the first opportunity we had together for me to meet Joseph’s family and visit the city where he grew up.  I had the typical meeting the in-laws anxiety, but it quickly dissipated after being greeted at the airport Thursday afternoon with big hugs from Joseph’s mom and aunt.  They had travelled (both by bus and on feet) for over an hour to be sure that they met us when we arrive...