I know You're All Praying!

(disclaimer: These are getting long. You do not have to read it really. It's for me just as much b/c when I write it out I begin to see for myself what I hadn't seen before and God uses it to remind me of His promises and truths. So thanks for bearing with me!)

Hello loves! I know you are all praying and I am quite a grateful girl for it! Things are pretty tough here this first week so please be in additional prayer if you can! I cannot say things are going badly, no they are going really well. God is doing major workings in the children, but it's not easy work. He is the Good Father who is set on seeing to it that they grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. The enemy doesn't like it, but neither does their own flesh (and mine too, man is this ever a big teaching stick from the Lord!). When we prayed the other night about our return, Anja had said that she saw what was about to happen at the Haven as parallel to the green house-I see it too! It's like this hot house where all this stuff is going on deep down inside and after much hard work, great fruits and vegis are sure to sprout forth!

So here's some ideas in prayer:

-The Bible studies are back in session and it's been fun b/c we have the older kids TRANSLATING. I pray through the whole way too because I know it can be difficult when it's new material, new concepts and words to translate. But we know the Holy Spirit will translate as well!

-For my PATIENCE. You might have thought me to be a patient person, but this takes it to a whole new level. Please pray for patience in disciplining the kids, that I would persevere when it seems worthless. They really do respond if it's just seen all the way through.
Specifically:
Linus- To learn self-control. He is stubborn. I know you'd like me to say "strong-willed," and that too, but he really fights the fight! He is precious and a darling, but when he gets himself into trouble there is lots of it!
Imwe-He is very sensitive and at the moment he only knows to handle his problems by hitting the other and then crying uncontrollably at the hit he most usually receives in return. This is one where I need lots of insight. To know when he's trully hurt and when he is using a tool to get out of trouble.
Of the older, Jefta and Justine struggle to keep their tempers level with both words and actions.
They are both sensitive and respond well, but I would like to see them in control of their actions. Lastnight Justine said to me over and over," I cannot take a sorry. I will not take a sorry. They are treating me like a dog, kicking my foot because it is hurt." I told her it was wrong that the children kicked her and I was sorry it had happened. Then I was also able to tell her about all the torture Jesus went through and how he never fought back. And then I reminded her that when we do wrong to the Lord, He always takes our sorries. What if he didn't? Where would we be?

-Please pray for WISDOM. That we'd know how to respond to each child and each situation.


-Please pray for PERSEVERANCE. I went to bed worn out and I woke worn out. Not physically, but in my heart to think of the day that spins ahead. I know it's going to calm down after the week is through.

-Please pray for THE NEW VOLUNTEERS. They are adjusting quite well and lovely to have around. They will be here until end of November! Please pray as the first weeks and be a time of testing between new comers and the kids.

-Please pray for GIDEON (house father). Please pray that Gideon would commit himself to God and to the Haven. He gets payed to be here if he'll just come, but he does all these other jobs ahead of this one. Not only is the Green House suffering because of it, but when he is here he is in a place where his walk with God grows. I see it all the time. He watches what I do with the kids and learns from it. He is not ashamed to sit during story time and soak up these great truths about God, and when I am disciplining a child watches what I do and does just the same. He wants to follow God, but has never had the descipleship to do so. He has a teachable heart and it is precious in the sight of God.


OkeyDokey here goes a new day! I love you and miss you all!


p.s. Jenni, did you get the email I sent to your other email address? And did you send the package air or ground mail? I think ground might take ages. Bethany already got a package that was sent to her after you sent mine. I will check again today though.