winter camp

Really glad i was able to attend a part of the OCF Winter Camp, even though i would’ve loved to stay through the whole thing.. There was good teaching about what it means to grow in our walk with God, and to live a life that reflects the fruit of the Holy Spirit. It was a beautiful campsite, and a good opportunity to get away from the busy city life and be among the orange trees, hills, and geese ;) Was great to see how people were reaching out to each other – building relationships, getting to know each other better, encouraging each other especially through the angel/mortal game.. Pray the campers don’t forget the lessons they have learned through the speakers and workshops.

..Then coming back to Perth and being faced with the ugly and senseless things that people do, and not knowing how to respond. Much wisdom is needed as we live in this world – to show God’s love to others, to reflect Jesus’ character and be an ambassador for Christ.

Two weeks more...

Having come to the end of the teaching prac, i'm now back to my psych prac and testing for my thesis these two weeks. Very very glad that i'll be able to pop by Winter Camp for one night and one day tomorrow evening. Thank God for transport both ways =) Praying for the campers who are even now making their way up to the campsite - that God will grant safety and give them open hearts to learn from the speakers about growing, glowing, and going. Also remembering Deb's prayer request - that the campers won't neglect sleep when staying up to watch the World Cup and fall asleep during the talks as a result ;P

morning by morning new mercies i see

And just like that, i’m nearing the end of the prac. Thanks for the prayers and encouragement! I’m really so thankful for this opportunity to work in this school and meet these dear children and the wonderful teachers and assistants. Despite the mess and the saliva (lots of it! :P), the constant hand-washing and the extra laundry, and the tiring days such that i don’t feel like doing any work by the time i get home, i really must thank God for seeing me through these few weeks. I think i will miss the kids (yes i must admit i have my favourites ;) and i pray that i will not easily forget what i’ve learnt from this placement.

strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow

After these first few days of my teaching prac at this Education Support School, it strikes me how different theory is from practice. Hearing about children with multiple disabilities in a lecture and learning about how to teach that child just isn’t the same as seeing a girl with Rett’s syndrome, or a boy with autism, and dealing with the behaviour for 6 hours a day. Often the kids don’t even seem to be aware of what’s going on around them, lost in their own world, usually fixated on doing that one repetitive movement. When the television is on and a video being played i wonder how many of the children are really looking at what’s on screen and enjoying the music and dancing. It’d be so easy just to do everything for them and let them do what they want, but really, the goal is to help them to achieve to their full potential, even if it takes a while to get there. I truly don’t know what i’d think if i didn’t believe that there’s more to this life that they will know; that there is a better world in store for them. And seeing the patient teachers and educational assistants makes me ashamed of counting down the days til the prac ends. Perhaps what Steph and Jae Ann prayed is most important – to have love for these kids and show God’s love to them too.

three-quarter mark

It’s the last week of the teaching semester and since we don’t have exams, that sort of makes us ¾ done with our course! (Well, sort of, since there’s still the little matter of the thesis to be done! :P) Went out to the pub with my coursemates after class on Monday for a drink and it is rather exciting yet in a way scary how quickly time passes. Before we know it it’ll be October 16th when the thesis is due!! ;) Must give thanks to God for seeing me through this semester, although there are more challenging times ahead, what with my teaching prac at the Special School starting next week. Will definitely update more once that starts but i have gone in to have a look at the class and meet the teacher. The class has only 6 students, but all with very high needs – severe intellectual, and most with physical, disabilities. It won't be easy, and i would appreciate your prayer during this three-week period. Please pray for love and patience in working with the children, and also for wisdom in planning lesson objectives and as i learn what it means to be an effective teacher. ..Also praying for the OCF-ers who are sitting exams these few weeks.