Kenya Hands of Hope

As I grow older and contemplate the days remaining in my life, I find the lures and pulls of this world becoming less desirable. I begin to more fully understand the meaning behind the words of Jesus when He said,

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matt. 6:19-21).

Or when the disciple Peter quotes from the book of Isaiah saying,

"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." (1Peter 1:24-25).

Our time on this earth is limited and all that remains once we've slipped the confines of this earthly tabernacle is our legacy of faith. And so I find myself asking the Lord to use me as a vessel with which He can pour out His love on others and to help me become a "living sacrifice" for Him.

"May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting of my hands be like the evening sacrifice." (Ps. 141:2)

And so God, knowing the "desires of my heart," answered my prayer. There are many times I've had to question God and ask Him if a particular situation or circumstance was from Him...but this recent prayer was answered by a "Voice in the Wilderness"... (Isa.40:3)... a cry and a plea that pulled my heart-strings and spoke to the spirit residing there. "Please help our little slum school in Nairobi!" Need you ask a teacher with a heart for missions twice? I wanted to find out more about this little school and what I could do to be of service.

And so I became involved with Kenya Hands of Hope, an organization not only sharing the Good News of the Gospel, but helping Kenyans with both their spiritual and physical needs. In a drought-stricken nation, this includes helping those without shelter to have homes built, providing adequate mosquito netting to prevent the spread of disease, providing school supplies, Bibles and books. It means being "God's hands" to a hurting group of people.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)

Since that time I have come to know some amazing people doing the work of God in Africa. Below you will find a photo of David, a young man needing assistance to continue with his schooling. His father, Martin, a peasant farmer, wanted better for his son but did not have the funds for the upcoming tuition. Working together with another friend, we were able to supply the needed funds. A recent email informed us of the journey from Kenya to Tanzania to get the funds to Martin and David. Life is so much more complicated when you have to deal with border blockades, tribal clashes, lack of transportation, joblessness, hunger, illness, and disease. We take so much for granted here in our country and more often than not, forget the God who bestowed so many blessings upon us. In Africa, their faith and hope is strong. They know that their very existence depends on God. They live with joy despite their many hardships.

Above is a photo of David (seated) and a younger brother outside their home in Tanzania. David will be able to attend advanced schooling this term because of funds sent to his family through Kenya Hands of Hope. His tuition for the year came to approx. $300 U.S. dollars. We sent a little extra for school clothes and supplies. A little goes a long way in Africa!

Once David's schooling was taken care of, we were again reminded of the little slum school in Nairobi, Kenya. They continue to be in great need of supplies for the school children. I shared some of these photos with my 2nd grade class this spring and they immediately wanted to go home and donate some of their toys to the school. I was not able to make this a class project since the school year was rapidly coming to a close, but should I find myself in a classroom next year, I hope to share more about the Nairobi Slum School with children here. The disparity between schools is starkly evident. We have so much to be thankful for.

This is a photo of two school administrators outside the Nairobi Slum School. Upon hearing that a group from Kenya Hands of Hope would be going to Kenya this fall for the upcoming fall Holy Days, a friend and I began researching what kind of school supplies would be easiest for them to transport, and as a teacher, those I knew could be helpful to the teacher and students there. After some online research, we decided upon white boards with blank surfaces, writing surfaces, and surfaces designed to help with telling time and parts of the body. It took time to find the companies that had the best constructed teacher and student white boards, ones that would be durable and stand up to the test of time. We are also helping to supply dry erase markers and felt erasers. These supplies will be sent to Kenya Hands of Hope and delivered to the slum school this fall. It's so wonderful to be able to help personally in this way and to know exactly where and to whom your money and supplies will be going to.

Here you see a glimpse inside the little slum school of Nairobi, with the teacher and some of her students. They are in need of so many of the little things we take for granted. My goal is to continue to work with this organization as I'm able. I realize that I am not in a position to help others in the manner of Bill Gates or Warren Buffett -- I can only "bloom" in the garden where God has planted me. That being said, I also am reminded of the "Parable of the Talents" as told by Jesus. The "Master" gave each of his servants a certain number of talents of money, each according to his ability. Two of the servants went out and multiplied the number of talents, reaping the praise from their Master, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" The third servant was fearful. Instead of multiplying what he was given, he buried the talent of money in the ground. That servant had the original talent taken from him and did not share in the praise and reward of his Master. I take this as an example to follow. Although I have struggled with finances in my own life, I have so much more than the brethren in Africa. If I am faithful with what God has given me, He will not only bless me, but bless others through me.

"For we are created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Eph. 2:10)

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever." Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." (2Cor. 9:8-11)

"We are each a part of the body of Christ." (1Cor.12:27) "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." (vs. 26).

Dear Family and Friends,

If you would like to help the hungry and hurting brethren of Africa or the little slum school, please make note of the organization and address below. Indicate whether you would like your donation to go to: A) the little slum school or B) the general fund. This non-profit organization will send you a receipt upon request for tax deduction purposes. I will continue to update you about my involvement with Kenya Hands of Hope.

Kenya Hands of Hope
Director: Bill Goff
120 Stage Road
Tuckerton, New Jersey 08087
*Receipt available upon request

And now dear ones:

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Col. 3:23-24)

"Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." (Heb. 10:24)

"Just as you excel in everything -- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us -- see that you also excel in the grace of giving." (2Cor. 8:7)

May the Lord bless you and reward you for your love and generosity towards His little children in Africa. I pray that His work will abound through us!!


Dorothy

Tales of a Teacher

Inauguration Day 2009

Professional books and teaching supplies have been boxed up and safely stored away...computer files and emails deleted from the classroom computer...cupboards, shelves, and desks cleaned in preparation for the new school year...and memories of a year of teaching tucked into the recesses of my mind; available to retrieve whenever a smile is needed. It's been a full and rewarding year...my first full year in the classroom...teaching a group of bright, active 2nd graders!

Who knew when the the classroom door first opened last fall what the year would bring. Children bounded in, eyes wide with anticipation and nervousness. Although excited to begin my first full year of teaching, I, too, wondered what lay ahead. Who knew that we'd have to deal with the death of an aunt... an uncle... a grandmother. Who knew that one student would move away, a new student would arrive, a baby sister would be born, divorce and even the prospect of homelessness would affect us.

I did not realize I would be at school every morning by 8:00 a.m. and leave many evenings at 8:00 p.m., using my weekends to grade assessments, projects, homework packets, and report cards. I was surprised by the number of personal issues students had to work through with one another, and how much time I would be spending as a counselor and mediator. Much of my year was spent contemplating effective classroom arrangements, setting up classroom meetings, and building classroom community. As a substitute teacher you are afforded opportunities to watch teaching styles and try out classroom management techniques. When you finally have your own classroom, you pull out your bag of tricks, only to find that "one size does not fit all." You throw out some things, keep what works, and ask advice from colleagues. You learn to be flexible and to change if change is needed. As a teacher I found myself always growing and evolving, which is why teaching is never boring! Everyday is a chance for redemption and new beginnings.


Who would have thought when the school year started how much fun we would have! In particular I remember the time during a health lesson when we were discussing the amount of sugar in soda drinks and how it was possible to make your own carbonated drink from 100% fruit juice and carbonated seltzer water. As I went to take the top off the carbonated seltzer water, carbonation forced the water to squirt high into the air. We all went silent for a few seconds and then the whole classroom, myself included, burst into laughter! Or how about the time I was in the middle of teaching a lesson when a squirrel (who had come into our building foyer from outside) raced through our classroom in an attempt to find its way back outside. Or the time in science when we made rocket balloons and we decided to have the boys race against the girls. I was trying to emphasis that the race was all in fun, so there would be no hurt feelings. Spontaneously, some of the girls decided to get construction paper and make signs to hold on the sidelines saying "Go Boys" and the boys made signs saying "Go Girls." It became an opportunity to have fun and cheer one another on. Or how about the time I read the poster wrong at school for the dates of "Crazy Hair Day" and "Hawaiian Day" and our class ended up being "Crazy-Haired Hawaiians?" The laughs were many!

There were a few tears. Students were quick to offer tissues when I read them a story, "Thank-you and Good-bye" that always makes me weepy. We had to deal with sadness and hurt feelings during the year. In the end, I hope my students knew how much I cared for them and how much I will miss not being there with them next year.

I hope my students know how proud I am of all their efforts this year. During this Presidential election year we learned about good citizenship and the voting process. We gave "I Have a Dream" speeches and learned how to sing and perform "We Shall Overcome" using sign language. We learned about poetry, Reader's Theater, and performing for others. We learned how to research our cultural heritage and to share what we learned with one another. We learned about compassion and that "There's Nothing Wrong With a Three-Legged Dog!" We also learned how to set goals and reach those goals!

I wish I could share with you some of the hundreds of photographs taken that chronicled our year, but in order to protect the innocent (and some of the guilty -- *smile*) I will not be posting them online. I anxiously await the scrapbook one parent is making me this summer.... pictures of many smiles and lots of good times. I know that I will always treasure this scrapbook and the memories of my first full year of teaching second grade. I learned to be counselor, mediator, nurse, mother, field trip coordinator, cheerleader, and much more. I learned to know my students and their strengths well. They taught me what it means to be a teacher and for that I will be ever grateful.


"Teacher Dorothy"