Day 32: An Ebenezer

     Today was a good day. A very good day. So this post is more for me than for you. You see, some days are tough days. Days I just want to pout. One thing works out differently than I would have it and I shut down. Today was not like that. So here's to making a point of putting up a signpost reminding me of brighter days when the going gets tough. In 1 Samuel 7 we're told Samuel created a visible reminder to look back and be reminded of the Lord's blessing and help. Here's a little something for when I need it on Day 33 or Day 59 or Day 81.

Today started out with prayer. 
Sadly, it usually doesn't.
It started out with a banana for breakfast.
And knowing I would get to enjoy reading an email from the motherland later in the day. 

Then a good talk with my co-workers about whether or not as a Christian I should eat pork.
Time to study my Bible a little before classes began.
A good time in preschool, despite having to teach about toilets.
Despite having to draw a toilet. Actually, two. One kinda I've never seen before.
(At least I didn't have to teach them how to use the toilet, right?)
Then I got to teach the teachers about tracing and how that may help our kids.
And the kids seemed to be getting things they hadn't before.
And then I had lunch.
And an email.
And finished a book.
And dozed off to some rain on the tin roof.
Then had afternoon classes and got to teach the younger kids math. 
Then got to play soccer with the younger boys for an hour after school.
And scored on them.
A really beautiful goal. 
Nothing like earning a little respect and bruising some egos at the same time... even if I have almost two decades on some of my opponents.
Then I had time to listen to a sermon while cooking dinner.
Including the best garlic toast I've ever consumed.
I got to talk to some of the older boys back home for mid-term holiday. 
It's always nice to have a conversation in English that understand for the most part.
Then I went back to preparing my lesson.
I wasn't sure how it was going to go.
The dinner bell didn't ring until 7.
Study hall starts at 7.
I got to share nsima with some of my students, laugh, and talk to one student about how smart I heard he was. 
I just got to be kid Krista and not Aphunzitsi Krista.
And then we had study hall.
And I started working with five students.
Then one of the students I've been having a hard time getting motivated or interested in anything I planned...
She cared.
She wanted to be in my group.
She left her spot sitting at a table with friends.
To come and read with me.
To come and answer my questions.
To explain things to the other students I was working with.
Just a few hours earlier someone was telling me not to worry about her, she'd repeated a year and would repeat another.
But tonight I saw something from her.
I know I'll get frustrated again.
I'll be tempted to write her off.
But no.
She's worth it.
Everyone is worth it. 
I hope I don't forget how she beamed when I pulled her aside to thank her for her help, tell her what a great reader she was, and remind her how smart she is. 
Sometimes study hall is tough.
But tonight, as I walked away with another note from my friend Eunice in hand, I knew that--at least this once--study hall was the highlight of my day.

Eunice thinks it's hilarious when my shirts match my skirts. I guess she also likes when I have a ponytail.