Sleepover

There is nothing like a sleepover to bring a group of girls together. Tanya and I hosted 18 high school girls and various teachers to spend the night in our compound last weekend. There is one apartment empty in our complex right now, so we pulled in couches and some extra cushions (although no one really planned on sleeping), set up a projector, broke out myriads of nail polish, and began a photo/video scavenger hunt. It will probably be one of my favorite memories with these girls. It was a great chance for some shy ones to show their wild side and for people to interact with others they didn’t know very well. One of their photo assignments involved John. He hid on the compound and jumped out to scare the searchers every once in a while, resulting in shrieks and giggles. 

Probably because of my lovely Denali and Desiree, I usually see students as little brothers and sisters. I admit that I carefully walk the line between authority and camaraderie as a teacher.  The value of a teacher having fun with her students outside the classroom is priceless. It can lead to so much more trust and even learning inside the classroom. More importantly though, the love that is growing among us is opening doors to the important conversations: Why is it such a big deal to wait for marriage to have sex? How can I get along with my Mom? Why does God let bad things happen? Are you afraid to die? We also just started discipleship groups at school (Yea!!!!). We’ve been planning them for a while. I have a group of middle school girls. I don’t know them well yet, but I can wait to change that! 

The boys will get their turn. John and Josiah and some others are planning a camping trip. They also have discipleship groups. Please pray especially for our discipleship groups: we need wisdom. I often feel inadequate in the face of their questions and their needs. The fact that I am growing to love them so much just adds to my distress at times. But God loves them more and is worthy our trust.