Laryngitis and Lessons Learned

I went to bed Monday night with slight scratchiness in my voice and woke Tuesday morning sounding more like a man than I would ever wish for. Wednesday morning I woke with no voice which makes teaching...well creative or complicated depending on you look at it.

I had just taught my kids the alphabet in sign language this week so that came in handy. I did a lot of pointing, extreme facial expressions, and waiting patiently. Through friends and subs second grade continues learning this week. :-)

I don't actually think I have laryngitis...it was suggested to me and I looked it up on the internet. Basically it's a hoarse voice caused by virus or yelling. My big symptoms are fatigue and lack of working vocal cords - presumably not from yelling.

I knew I would have many new experiences in a foreign country, but didn't think my body falling apart would play such a huge role. Someone said to me "You're not even 50 yet. What's going on?!!"

Heavenly Perspective: This body will fail and break and cause problems here, but one day God will restore my body to the perfection He intended in His presence. What a day that will be! And as I walk still with slight pain in my foot still and am unable to fully express myself with no voice I am reminded to pray for people who suffer physically to have eyes to see and ears to hear the love our Savior has for them.

Laughter is good medicine

I've found that I laugh a lot here. It might have something to do with being with kids much of the day and they can't help themselves but be entertaining for others. Allow me to share a few examples from everyday life.

A 2nd grade student of mine graciously brought me 4 M&M's during lunch recently. She plopped them on my table and took off for school. As I followed, she turned around and said "I only dropped 2 of them, but I dusted them off!"

I was trying to make a point of something in class and turned around as I said something (the specific details have escaped me) and a student proceeded to tell me with a smirk "Miss Crockett, you looked real cute just now when you did that" and everybody in 2nd grade graciously concurred with her.

What can I say, but that success in the classroom is when you have a bunch of 2nd grade admirers. I don't think it takes much to find that :-) I will try to post pictures soon.

Gimp vs. The Body of Christ

About a week ago I sprained my right foot better than I've ever had hurt a foot before. I spent the weekend prior participating in some hiking through fun terrain and yet while carrying a 4 year old piggy back through my yard I stepped in a hidden hole wrong and sent my foot and leg into extreme pain.

Went for x-ray's after 24 hours and found no fracture. The foot doesn't look that bad, but looks can be deceiving. Weight baring has been incredibly painful for me and I'm anxious to start running again. Gently walked a mile yesterday and am now paying the price. :-) Stubborn me....

Though this could potentially be a frustrating and discouraging event, I've decided it is a marking stone in my life. 1) With all my adventure seeking activities I've never actually hurt a foot this bad before BUT more importantly

2) I've experienced and seen the Body of Christ function as Christ intended it and been so blessed to experience God's grace through a bunch of imperfect people. I've learned to let people love and help me. I've had meals brought over, rides to school events that are actually a 45 second walk away, friends stopping by almost constantly, company at the hospital, and a package from the Lakeland's women's retreat - Thank you!!!

All a reminder to me of how God so preciously takes care of us and uniquely demonstrates His love to us in circumstances in our lives!

Here is newsletter #2 in case you couldn't open it. Though it doesn't look as cool, you are getting the information.

New beginnings of grace and love

I have given quite a bit of thought to newsletter #2 and now that I’m finally sitting here writing it is difficult to sum up 2 months as I’m sure it would be for you if you sent me an update.

I had humble beginnings here, as most people do. RVA has been incredibly stretched this year being short-staffed in many areas and having a large number of new staff. Many folks were filling in roles they are not trained for or prepared for and yet God has clearly led us forward.

I often found myself feeling inadequate for the tasks ahead. Our theme for the year is grace and I’m studying Romans in Bible Study with 4 couples which fits quite nicely with the theme of grace. With our staff being so stretched to fill roles and meet the needs of our students and ministries we have often found ourselves needing to offer extra grace and love to each other. I found myself thrown into a beautiful display of God’s grace working among imperfect people. Many times I have found myself cared for in ways I didn’t even know I needed. :-)

Rain is an integral part of life here. Rain causes crops to grow so people can eat, feed their cattle, and make profit. The rainy season didn’t produce as it should and left people hungry because their shamba (garden) wouldn’t grow. As we prayed and prayed, God sent quite a bit of rain in this last 2 weeks which is unusual timing. I’ve prayed that the people of Kenya would see God’s faithful provision. In the midst of the US economic issues I was reminded that we have nothing to worry about as God will answer our call before we cry to Him and He will care for us whether the need is rain, monetary resources, a hug, a friend, or a reminder that our God reigns. Love, Sarah

Life in second grade is great!

Some of you knew that I had planned to teach 4th grade and in fact headed to Kenya because the position I was initially being offered in the states was 1st or 2nd grade and I had my heart set on older kids. Well, the journey here was patiently led by God’s gracious hand as I learned to be obedient.

We probably have too much fun in 2nd grade! I have 10 students all of whom are pictured with me above. We have spent much time participating in activities in and out of the classroom to foster quite a unique community including tie-dying t-shirts, hiking, reading C.S. Lewis, singing songs, praying, and laughing a lot!

I think I have to attribute my enjoyment and ‘success’ thus far to the amazing group of kids I inherited. I might be learning more than they are, but I count it a treasure to spend each day with them.

Many times I will get a light knock on my door or see a small head peeping through the window. The uniqueness of our community here is that we live an arms reach from our students and often times I have kiddos sitting in my living room. Life doesn’t get much better! :-)

Quotable Kids

“I’m African-American!” - said by a student who is quite white. This shows very well how third culture kids think as they may be citizens of their parents home country, but are being raised in a foreign culture and often times create a culture unto themselves.

“Did you take your shirt off?” - said to me by a female student after I shared with my class about hiking with the 5th-6th grade boys dorm and the boys taking their shirts off to swim. Needless to say I lost it in laughter and had no idea what lesson I was attempting to teach.

“God, help us be patient, even when the computer doesn’t work” - prayed by a student. Our computers/internet are slower than shifting sand!

Girls just wanna have fun

Though life is busy with school and ministry responsibilities here at RVA we certainly find time for lots of fun! I have enjoyed playing many games of Settlers, hiking, hanging out in the dorms with high school girls, having students over for pancakes and cards, and of course getting my daily dose of chocolate!

At a 40th b-day party the other night we broke out the karaoke and I was privileged to do the twist with my students (it was much more of a full body twist). I have spent 2 days during this 5 day weekend on intense hikes. Along with 3 others I climbed to the highest waterfall of the famed Kijabe waterfalls and the men enjoyed the bush-whacking that took place to get to our destination. I just followed gathering scraps and bruises along the way. Yesterday I hiked the dormant volcano (Logonot-look it up online) across the valley from us. It’s quite a dusty climb and provided beautiful 360 views of the Rift Valley as we walked around the rim.

One of my favorite moments was in the midst of many days full of activity. A group of 7th grade girls had just left my house. We had made pancakes, played Dutch Blitz, and laughed until our abs hurt. My house was a complete mess, I had to leave in a few minutes, and I thought “an un-kept house is a lived life”!

On Sunday mornings I walk streets full of garbage, broken glass, and animal droppings holding the sticky hands of street children who gather to hear that Jesus loves them. Even after all the hiking I participate in the most beautiful sight in Kenya has been these precious children who come running to shake hands and greet me with huge smiles. I’m so grateful that the international language of smiles and physical touch speaks volumes more than my inability to speak Swahili.

Please be praying for:

· Stamina for the next 6 weeks of school and ministry

· Forming of many new relationships

· A heart at peace with where God has me and what He has me doing

· Safety in travel and with health

· Upcoming holiday season (this will be my first one away from family)

· God’s continued provision in monthly support