Today marked the last day of teacher training for our trip. To say we're exhausted would be a understatement, but God is so good, and He carried us through it. There is so much planning, preparation, and prayer that led up to this trip, and here we are, thinking that we've got it down, and we know exactly how each day will transpire. WRONG! God had a different plan for Jamaica, just like he did in the Dominican Republic (DR).
Today, we used an object lesson to demonstrate kinesthetic learning. The story was "Adam and Eve in a Can". It's a simple story that gets the audience involved by pulling different objects out of a can to help progress the story of Adam and Eve eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. At the end of the story, we always ask the audience questions to get them thinking about the decision that both Adam and Eve made to eat the fruit. Well, last week, when we shared this story with the teachers in the DR, it sparked a huge discussion regarding whose fault it was, what would have happened if Adam didn't eat the fruit, and why God didn't just forgive them. Well, lo and behold, this story sparked another conversation here in Jamaica! This is a story that is well-known, even amongst non-believers, and I think most of us take it for what it is assume everyone is on the same page (or at least, that's how I've always thought of it). Well, God opened my eyes up again to show me that even an older group of Christian men and women, have thoughts and questions that run deeper into the fall of man. The conversation that stemmed from the story really brought folks out of their shells, and it was so awesome to be a part of it! I think it was a great reminder for the team to really think about the stories we use in our trainings, and to be ready to have those deep theological discussions. You never know when God will use those conversations to reach someone.
Well, the training ended with the dissemination of teacher certificates, and gifts that they can take back to their classrooms to use with the children. However, the best gift of all, was the newly trained teachers sharing what this training meant to them and how they will use it in their classrooms. We had a couple of "tough cookies" at this training, but at the end, they were just so sweet and kind. The teacher even took it upon themselves to buy the team a delicious watermelon as a "thank you" for the hard work that we put into this training. Again, I am in awe of the outpouring of love that has been bestowed upon us over the past 12 days by the beautiful teachers in the DR and Jamaica. It definitely showed us that God has a plan for this organization and he is using us for His glory.
The day wrapped up with the team visiting a children's home, where we were able to share some of our lessons, crafts, and activities with a group of 12 boys who are unable to remain in the care of their parents. Their situations definitely hit close to home for me and I just wanted to love on them. As we taught through the first lesson, we were amazed to see these boys' knowledge of the word of God. They know the Lord, and He definitely knows them! The joy on their face as we put together the craft is something I will never forget. They have something to remind them of God's love and Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. We ended the visit with an activity (large parachute), where Bob was definitely in his element. He showed these boys patience, kindness, firmness, and most of all, love. As a mom of 3 boys, I know that it's what they need; a Godly man who will get down on the ground with them to sit under a parachute in the heat and humidity, as uncomfortable as it may be. A man who is willing to be silly and goofy and loving, all in the name of Jesus. This was, hands-down, a great way to end the day today. To be able to pour out love on these boys in the name of the Lord, will be something that I remember for the rest of my life. God is so good and can use us in the most unexpected ways. Praise Jesus!
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