Dear Family & Friends,
Below are prayer request that Bonnie sent. Thank you for your continued faithful prayers for her.
Charles & LouAnn
Prayer Requests:
1. My church is hosting a 5 day Citywide Gospel Crusade starting tonight which will go through Saturday. Please pray for the hearts of all who will attend, that the Lord would soften their hearts to be receptive to the gospel message. Pray also that the Lord would strengthen and give wisdom to all who are helping with the preparations as well as those who will be serving. I will be serving as one of the counselors, so once people come forward to respond to the gospel I will be one of those leading them to the Lord. I will also be involved in the follow up and discipleship of the new converts. Pray God’s grace and anointing to be upon us all.
2. Thank the Lord that I received my work permit!! It is for 2 more years!! Read my blog for the full amazing story J www.bonnieinzambia.com Pray the Lord will provide for the financial needs that I have for my return trip this coming November and that the Lord would provide new sponsors as I prepare to send out my new support letter.
3. NEXT SCHOOL TERM
a. Please be praying for this next school term. There will be a lot of new challenges that I will be facing. One being that we will be entering into the summer months shortly and the max temps can reach up to 125 degrees. I don’t foresee it getting that high but its common to be over 100 from what I am told and my class meets in the afternoon from 11-5 in a small room. We are packed in there like sardines in a sardine can. Pray my body adjusts to the temperatures and that none of us suffer from heat related health problems.
b. Being that I plan on coming back to the states the end of November, in time for Thanksgiving, my class will have to take exams 1 week early. These exams are a lot more difficult, as they will be covering material from all three terms. I will also have to prepare the lessons for next year’s term before I leave. (3 months worth of lesson plans and the charts covering that material)
c. Pray that my pupils will continue to do well and retain the information they will be learning. I will be getting a new pupil this term as well, pray that she will be able to keep up with the rest of the class and adjust to the new school and environment.
d. Pray that the extra lessons I will be doing 3-4x a week will go well and that this will be a fruitful time. I will be doing revisions in preparation for the final exams, reviewing work that they have had difficulty on and attempting to improve their reading skills.
e. Pray for overall health, strength and wisdom.
f. Pray that the mentoring I have been involved in will continue to be fruitful and that the Lord will give me wisdom for those I will be mentoring in the near future.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
8/3/11
Dear Family & Friends,
Here are some prayer request and updates from Bonnie.
1. Tomorrow Bonnie has parent/ teacher conferences for this term. Many of the parents do not speak English so she will have to have an interpreter. Please pray it goes well.
2. All her kids did well on their testing and did average and above average in their overall grade. “Praise God!” Amazing when many cannot read and many still have trouble speaking English.
3. Because it is the end of this term, Bonnie is having all the kids over to her place for above 3 hours on Friday. 27 kids that she is going to make a meal for. Sounds like a lot of fun!
4. Bonnie has been sick since Saturday with dust in her lungs from visiting a game park (an adventure that she wanted to take McKenzie on before she left). She has shortness of breath and it seems an infection may be setting in. Please pray that she recovers quickly.
5. Bonnie has not been getting a lot of sleep so she is exhausted. Her brain is burned out from all the preparations and testing the last two weeks. God’s word says that he gives his beloved sleep. Please pray that she will be able to sleep and her mind and body would be able to REST, and she would be refreshed.
6. McKenzie is leaving tomorrow morning to come back to the states. (I know that Bonnie will miss her!). Please pray for a safe trip home. I know her family and friends are anticipating her return!
7. Bonnie has a break starting Friday for 4 weeks. Please pray that she would be able to balance all her time well. She has three months worth of lesson plans to do plus charts for those chapters. Please pray that during her time off she would be able to get some much needed rest.
8. Pray that they will be able to move into the new school building soon.
9. Bonnie is still waiting to hear about her three year work visa. Please continue to pray.
10. Bonnie’s room mate (Swazie) will be coming to the states in November with Bonnie for her 5 week break. Swazie does not have family and Bonnie does not want to leave her there alone during the holidays. Bonnie says she is her family now. Please pray that Swazie will be able to get her visa for traveling.
On a lighter note, Bonnie said that her kids are learning how to write notes. They will come and ask how to spell out the words of the note which is so cute. Here is an example: Dear Ms. Sherer, You are my teacher and love you so so much. You love me so so much too. They will then take the note and put it in an envelope and then very carefully tuck inside the envelope a cookie, money, or a barrette that they have. Such a precious way of showing their love to Bonnie and McKenzie as well.
Here is a picture of McKenzie with some of the children. I hear that she is bringing home lots of pictures and videos for us to download. We are looking forward to sharing them with you all.
Thanks always for your support and prayers for Bonnie!
Charles & LouAnn Sherer
.
Here are some prayer request and updates from Bonnie.
1. Tomorrow Bonnie has parent/ teacher conferences for this term. Many of the parents do not speak English so she will have to have an interpreter. Please pray it goes well.
2. All her kids did well on their testing and did average and above average in their overall grade. “Praise God!” Amazing when many cannot read and many still have trouble speaking English.
3. Because it is the end of this term, Bonnie is having all the kids over to her place for above 3 hours on Friday. 27 kids that she is going to make a meal for. Sounds like a lot of fun!
4. Bonnie has been sick since Saturday with dust in her lungs from visiting a game park (an adventure that she wanted to take McKenzie on before she left). She has shortness of breath and it seems an infection may be setting in. Please pray that she recovers quickly.
5. Bonnie has not been getting a lot of sleep so she is exhausted. Her brain is burned out from all the preparations and testing the last two weeks. God’s word says that he gives his beloved sleep. Please pray that she will be able to sleep and her mind and body would be able to REST, and she would be refreshed.
6. McKenzie is leaving tomorrow morning to come back to the states. (I know that Bonnie will miss her!). Please pray for a safe trip home. I know her family and friends are anticipating her return!
7. Bonnie has a break starting Friday for 4 weeks. Please pray that she would be able to balance all her time well. She has three months worth of lesson plans to do plus charts for those chapters. Please pray that during her time off she would be able to get some much needed rest.
8. Pray that they will be able to move into the new school building soon.
9. Bonnie is still waiting to hear about her three year work visa. Please continue to pray.
10. Bonnie’s room mate (Swazie) will be coming to the states in November with Bonnie for her 5 week break. Swazie does not have family and Bonnie does not want to leave her there alone during the holidays. Bonnie says she is her family now. Please pray that Swazie will be able to get her visa for traveling.
On a lighter note, Bonnie said that her kids are learning how to write notes. They will come and ask how to spell out the words of the note which is so cute. Here is an example: Dear Ms. Sherer, You are my teacher and love you so so much. You love me so so much too. They will then take the note and put it in an envelope and then very carefully tuck inside the envelope a cookie, money, or a barrette that they have. Such a precious way of showing their love to Bonnie and McKenzie as well.
Here is a picture of McKenzie with some of the children. I hear that she is bringing home lots of pictures and videos for us to download. We are looking forward to sharing them with you all.
Thanks always for your support and prayers for Bonnie!
Charles & LouAnn Sherer
.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
06/30/11
Your prayers have been a powerful means of grace for Bonnie while she is in Zambia. Through sickness, disease, and challenges, God continues to use her and teach her more and more of his ways. He is faithful & good. McKenzie Harrod just arrived in Zambia for 1 month. What a joy and blessing she will be as she assist Bonnie at the school. Please continue to pray for both of them, that they would stay healthy and that they would be effective in serving together.
Charles & LouAnn
Charles & LouAnn
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
06/29/11
Dear Family & Friends,
Here is an update that I received from Bonnie. The prayer request are highlighted in bold print. We continue to thank God for all of you and your faithfulness in your support and prayers for Bonnie.
Malachi 3:16 – “Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, And the Lord listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name.
“God has designed His kingdom so that Christians with kindred spirits join together. It is exciting when you find another Christian who shares the same concerns and burdens that you do! Often, God will graciously bring another believer or believers alongside you who will undergird you in the work and concerns God has placed on your heart.
God releases a powerful dimension of His presence to His children when they unite in heart and mind regarding His kingdom. When two or three believers agree in prayer, God chooses to respond to their unity by making His powerful presence known in their midst. “
If we were to write a book of remembrance each of you would be in it as we recounted the goodness and faithfulness of our God to Bonnie and the many powerful ways he moved in her, and through her because of your prayers for her. Thank you so much!
Charles & LouAnn
Bonnie’s Update:
Well thankfully I am over my 2nd bout of Malaria. This last time was a lot worse than the 1st time. I missed a few days of work and had all the possible symptoms. Thank you everyone for your prayers!!
I returned yesterday from Lusaka, the capital city which is a 5 hr bus ride from where I stay. I was visiting some friends over the weekend and then spent all day Monday and Tuesday applying for a 2 year work permit. I hit some bumps along the way but God was faithful and I was able to finish processing everything. The biggest issue they had was that I do not have ANY "qualifications" to teach in the form of degrees or certificates. I was told at least 3 times that without those they would not even begin to process my application. I left Monday and just spent time praying and asking God to "move the heart of the king.” He encouraged my heart in reminding me that he has called me here and is in control. What’s "a piece of paper to him" :) I decided to print out the letters of recommendation I submitted when applying for the job initially. One of the letters was from the principal of the school I taught at last year. That ended up being the "piece of paper" the supervisor signed off on and accepted to cover the "qualification" documents I must have. God is good!! Be praying that all goes well, they will take the next 2 weeks to review, process and decide if they will give me the 2 year work permit. I am confident in my God, circumstances may change but we serve a faithful God who never changes...he is my firm foundation in whom I can put my full trust in.
Please also be praying as we come up on midterm testing. I will have to come up with questions for and hand write tests for all subjects. Then I will have to test each pupil one on one in each subject. Pray God will give me wisdom and strength as I prepare the exams and that the pupils will recall all they have been learning.
Care groups start this Sunday and there will be one meeting in my home. Pray for this to be a fruitful time and that God will knit us together quickly and that there will be much fruit and growth.
Oh and great news..I had my 1st HOT bath in my own flat this morning. I shifted to the 4th floor this past Thursday and the geyser works!! I just had to buy a copper pipe for the tub..it was missing and the plumber installed it this morning. :) I was more than happy :)
Thank you everyone for your continual support in so many ways!!!
We serve a great God!!!
Bonnie
Here is an update that I received from Bonnie. The prayer request are highlighted in bold print. We continue to thank God for all of you and your faithfulness in your support and prayers for Bonnie.
Malachi 3:16 – “Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, And the Lord listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name.
“God has designed His kingdom so that Christians with kindred spirits join together. It is exciting when you find another Christian who shares the same concerns and burdens that you do! Often, God will graciously bring another believer or believers alongside you who will undergird you in the work and concerns God has placed on your heart.
God releases a powerful dimension of His presence to His children when they unite in heart and mind regarding His kingdom. When two or three believers agree in prayer, God chooses to respond to their unity by making His powerful presence known in their midst. “
If we were to write a book of remembrance each of you would be in it as we recounted the goodness and faithfulness of our God to Bonnie and the many powerful ways he moved in her, and through her because of your prayers for her. Thank you so much!
Charles & LouAnn
Bonnie’s Update:
Well thankfully I am over my 2nd bout of Malaria. This last time was a lot worse than the 1st time. I missed a few days of work and had all the possible symptoms. Thank you everyone for your prayers!!
I returned yesterday from Lusaka, the capital city which is a 5 hr bus ride from where I stay. I was visiting some friends over the weekend and then spent all day Monday and Tuesday applying for a 2 year work permit. I hit some bumps along the way but God was faithful and I was able to finish processing everything. The biggest issue they had was that I do not have ANY "qualifications" to teach in the form of degrees or certificates. I was told at least 3 times that without those they would not even begin to process my application. I left Monday and just spent time praying and asking God to "move the heart of the king.” He encouraged my heart in reminding me that he has called me here and is in control. What’s "a piece of paper to him" :) I decided to print out the letters of recommendation I submitted when applying for the job initially. One of the letters was from the principal of the school I taught at last year. That ended up being the "piece of paper" the supervisor signed off on and accepted to cover the "qualification" documents I must have. God is good!! Be praying that all goes well, they will take the next 2 weeks to review, process and decide if they will give me the 2 year work permit. I am confident in my God, circumstances may change but we serve a faithful God who never changes...he is my firm foundation in whom I can put my full trust in.
Please also be praying as we come up on midterm testing. I will have to come up with questions for and hand write tests for all subjects. Then I will have to test each pupil one on one in each subject. Pray God will give me wisdom and strength as I prepare the exams and that the pupils will recall all they have been learning.
Care groups start this Sunday and there will be one meeting in my home. Pray for this to be a fruitful time and that God will knit us together quickly and that there will be much fruit and growth.
Oh and great news..I had my 1st HOT bath in my own flat this morning. I shifted to the 4th floor this past Thursday and the geyser works!! I just had to buy a copper pipe for the tub..it was missing and the plumber installed it this morning. :) I was more than happy :)
Thank you everyone for your continual support in so many ways!!!
We serve a great God!!!
Bonnie
Friday, May 20, 2011
5/19/11
Dear Family & Friends,
Romans 12:10-18
10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Thank you for your continued faithfulness in praying for Bonnie. God hears and God answers your prayers on her behalf!
Charles & LouAnn Sherer
Prayer Update From Bonnie:
Continue to pray for Swazi, who is now my official house mate. I am very blessed to have her here! We started doing morning devotions together, please pray that these will be a fruitful times and that God will continue to meet us and speak to us during these times.
Please pray that I will be a wise steward of my time. There are so many different things that can “demand” my attention. I want to be led by the Spirit and spend my time in a way that glorifies God.
Please continue to pray for my pupils, that they would not only learn the lessons I teach but also come to know and love the Savior.
Please be praying for the times in which I am offering extra lessons. I am having 10-12 pupils stay after school for an hour on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for these extra lessons.
I am still waiting for the discipleship groups to be set up. Pray for God’s anointing to be upon each of the leaders of these groups and that there would be much fruit. I am thinking I will have 4-6 college age girls in my group.
We are also in the process of setting up caregroups. We will be assigned according to where we live. They are in the process of choosing the leaders and making sure they are properly trained. We should be starting meeting by the middle of next month. One of the caregroups will be meeting at my flat (aka apartment). Please be praying for this entire process.
I just want to thank each of you for your faithful prayers. The Lord is at work in the hearts of His people, both here in Zambia and where you are. He hears your prayers and He is answering them!
Bonnie in Zambia :)
(please check out Bonnie’s latest blog at bonnieinzambia.com)
Romans 12:10-18
10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Thank you for your continued faithfulness in praying for Bonnie. God hears and God answers your prayers on her behalf!
Charles & LouAnn Sherer
Prayer Update From Bonnie:
Continue to pray for Swazi, who is now my official house mate. I am very blessed to have her here! We started doing morning devotions together, please pray that these will be a fruitful times and that God will continue to meet us and speak to us during these times.
Please pray that I will be a wise steward of my time. There are so many different things that can “demand” my attention. I want to be led by the Spirit and spend my time in a way that glorifies God.
Please continue to pray for my pupils, that they would not only learn the lessons I teach but also come to know and love the Savior.
Please be praying for the times in which I am offering extra lessons. I am having 10-12 pupils stay after school for an hour on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for these extra lessons.
I am still waiting for the discipleship groups to be set up. Pray for God’s anointing to be upon each of the leaders of these groups and that there would be much fruit. I am thinking I will have 4-6 college age girls in my group.
We are also in the process of setting up caregroups. We will be assigned according to where we live. They are in the process of choosing the leaders and making sure they are properly trained. We should be starting meeting by the middle of next month. One of the caregroups will be meeting at my flat (aka apartment). Please be praying for this entire process.
I just want to thank each of you for your faithful prayers. The Lord is at work in the hearts of His people, both here in Zambia and where you are. He hears your prayers and He is answering them!
Bonnie in Zambia :)
(please check out Bonnie’s latest blog at bonnieinzambia.com)
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
4/26/11
Dear Friends & Family,
Spontaneous Praise - (from my devotional)
Luke 1:46-47 - And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior"
Praise is the spontaneous response of a grateful child of God.
Mary was overwhelmed by the Lord's goodness to her.
Trying to stop the praise of a thankful heart would be like trying to arrest the flow of a mighty waterfall!
We should never have difficulty thinking of reasons why we should praise Him.
Take time to recount the blessings he has poured out upon you and your family.
I wanted to take the opportunity to magnify the Lord and rejoice in God my Savior for all that he has done “through prayer” in the life of Bonnie over the past 5 months in Africa (wow can you believe it has been 5 months!).
I thank my God that his hand of protection has continually been upon her!
I thank my God for providing for all of her needs, physically, emotional, spiritually, and financially.
I thank my God for providing for her a permanent place to live.
I thank my God for providing for her a roommate!!!! Isn’t God good!
I thank my God for giving her wisdom and discernment in dealing with different and sometimes difficult situations.
I thank my God for her pastor and his wife Wilbroad & Zicky. Bonnie has knitted with them and we have been encouraged and blessed with how they have walked her through many adjustments.
I thank my God for the church there in Ndola, Africa and how Bonnie has been able to “fit in”. I am thankful for how she has gotten involved in several different ministries, and how the Lord is using her in so many ways. I am thankful for the body of Christ that she has come to know and is serving her Lord along with them.
I thank my God for how Bonnie now has a “kindred spirit” with the teachers in the school that she works along side. I am thankful for the love that has grown in her heart for “her children” and the love that has grown in their hearts for her.
I thank my God for the many opportunities and people that he has brought across Bonnie’s path. I am thankful for the difficulties and trials that she had walked through in her own life. God has and continues to use Bonnie to minister and bless others in the same situations. It is so true that He redeems the times that the locusts have taken.
I thank my God for healing Bonnie of her many sicknesses. Food poisoning, the beginning stages of malaria, and pneumonia.
I thank my God that she has grown so much in her teaching abilities and her creativity in teaching; even those children who only have a limited understanding of the English language.
I thank my God for the way Bonnie, with His grace, has been able to adapt or adjust to the culture, the food, the transportation, and life in Africa.
I thank my God for bringing “friends” into her life in Africa. So true are the words of the song: “He is Lord of every nation, He is Lord of every tribe and race, and by his love we are joined together”.
I thank my God that even when Bonnie deals with homesickness, her heart and her love for the people of Zambia has grown much more!
I thank my God that she has grown closer to her Savior while in Africa.
I thank my God for the body of Christ who continue to support Bonnie financially as well as through prayer.
So come my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ and family, come and magnify the Lord with me and praise His holy name for all that He has done. What an awesome God that we serve!!!
LouAnn Sherer
Spontaneous Praise - (from my devotional)
Luke 1:46-47 - And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior"
Praise is the spontaneous response of a grateful child of God.
Mary was overwhelmed by the Lord's goodness to her.
Trying to stop the praise of a thankful heart would be like trying to arrest the flow of a mighty waterfall!
We should never have difficulty thinking of reasons why we should praise Him.
Take time to recount the blessings he has poured out upon you and your family.
I wanted to take the opportunity to magnify the Lord and rejoice in God my Savior for all that he has done “through prayer” in the life of Bonnie over the past 5 months in Africa (wow can you believe it has been 5 months!).
I thank my God that his hand of protection has continually been upon her!
I thank my God for providing for all of her needs, physically, emotional, spiritually, and financially.
I thank my God for providing for her a permanent place to live.
I thank my God for providing for her a roommate!!!! Isn’t God good!
I thank my God for giving her wisdom and discernment in dealing with different and sometimes difficult situations.
I thank my God for her pastor and his wife Wilbroad & Zicky. Bonnie has knitted with them and we have been encouraged and blessed with how they have walked her through many adjustments.
I thank my God for the church there in Ndola, Africa and how Bonnie has been able to “fit in”. I am thankful for how she has gotten involved in several different ministries, and how the Lord is using her in so many ways. I am thankful for the body of Christ that she has come to know and is serving her Lord along with them.
I thank my God for how Bonnie now has a “kindred spirit” with the teachers in the school that she works along side. I am thankful for the love that has grown in her heart for “her children” and the love that has grown in their hearts for her.
I thank my God for the many opportunities and people that he has brought across Bonnie’s path. I am thankful for the difficulties and trials that she had walked through in her own life. God has and continues to use Bonnie to minister and bless others in the same situations. It is so true that He redeems the times that the locusts have taken.
I thank my God for healing Bonnie of her many sicknesses. Food poisoning, the beginning stages of malaria, and pneumonia.
I thank my God that she has grown so much in her teaching abilities and her creativity in teaching; even those children who only have a limited understanding of the English language.
I thank my God for the way Bonnie, with His grace, has been able to adapt or adjust to the culture, the food, the transportation, and life in Africa.
I thank my God for bringing “friends” into her life in Africa. So true are the words of the song: “He is Lord of every nation, He is Lord of every tribe and race, and by his love we are joined together”.
I thank my God that even when Bonnie deals with homesickness, her heart and her love for the people of Zambia has grown much more!
I thank my God that she has grown closer to her Savior while in Africa.
I thank my God for the body of Christ who continue to support Bonnie financially as well as through prayer.
So come my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ and family, come and magnify the Lord with me and praise His holy name for all that He has done. What an awesome God that we serve!!!
LouAnn Sherer
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
04/19/11
Dear Family & Friends,
Below you will see an update from Bonnie. It is such a privilege and a blessing to have each of you in her life and to know that you are lifting her up in prayer to our Heavenly Father. Prayer is such a powerful tool that the Lord has given us and when we pray, God moves! We have seen his faithfulness over and over again. Thank you for your continued prayers and your continued support for Bonnie!
Charles & LouAnn
----------------------------
From Bonnie:
Well, I want to first thank everyone for their many continual prayers for me. As I am sure you all know, I have been pretty sick for a while…first with walking phenomena and then with malaria. I am happy to report that I am well again and back on malaria prevention medication. Also, no mumps so far. I was exposed to them on a few occasions, but am thankful to report I have not gotten them. I have off the next two weeks and am doing my best to relax and not fill up my days with too much. But, if you know me, you know I can’t just sit around doing nothing...ha.
School will be back in session on May 9th, but we will go in the week before to make our charts and finish up preparations. On the last day of school before break I had parent/teacher conferences and about 23 out of 30 came. It was a long day, but I enjoyed getting to meet the parents of my kids. Language was a barrier for most of them, but the other teachers took turns translating for me in between their sessions. Their gratitude for me teaching their kids moved me. Once term 2 starts, I will be tutoring them in groups of about 10 and they will stay for extra lessons 1-3 afternoons depending on their level of need. Please be praying this time will be effective and that the Lord will give me wisdom in how to best teach them and split them up.
I have a college age girl, Swazi, staying with me over the next two weeks. She normally stays at a college boarding house, but they do not allow them to stay there over break. We met through a mutual friend (one of the pastors' wives) and had an instant connection. Both her parents died when she was very young and she has no family to care for her. I am going to ask her if she would like to live with me instead of going back to the boarding house. Please be praying that God will provide the finances she needs to return to school this next term. The cost is about $1000 per term (each term is 3 months). Her father’s stepbrother paid for her 1st term and is now refusing to continue to pay. I was very inspired to hear that even though she was not able to attend classes this past term, she went to the college almost every day to study. She is a very motivated and dedicated young woman. I am confident that God will provide. If you feel led to help in any way, please email me. If you need more information, let me know.
The past week I have had a group of 5th and 6th grade girls “show” up at my door wanting to visit with me. It started as 2 and, well let’s just say, the number keeps growing! One day there were 5. The first day I put a movie in for them while I finished up some work. Then they asked if I was a teacher. After telling them I was, they asked if I had books. WOW!!! Kids who want to read instead of watch a movie?! That brought a smile to my face! Now they come and read and color almost every day. I also have a neighbor, a 16-year-old girl that I always see around. She has started visiting regularly, usually around mealtime. Her father passed 2 years ago and her mom is often gone in the evenings. After getting to know her a bit, she asked me to tutor her so that she could pass grade 12. My response was that I will try my best to help her, but I am only a grade 3 teacher. Last night at 10pm we started. First subject? ALGEBRA! Oh my goodness, the subject I hated and struggled with the most; I never liked the “higher maths.” God certainly has a sense of humor. He is just throwing me in the deep end again…ha. Today we will be doing grammar and more…GULP…algebra. Please pray I can remember or re-learn so that I can teach her well…ha.
I can see how God is clearly bringing these different people into my life, many of whom have difficult backgrounds full of suffering and sorrow. I am confident that God will use all I have walked through to minister to these people.
Bonnie
Below you will see an update from Bonnie. It is such a privilege and a blessing to have each of you in her life and to know that you are lifting her up in prayer to our Heavenly Father. Prayer is such a powerful tool that the Lord has given us and when we pray, God moves! We have seen his faithfulness over and over again. Thank you for your continued prayers and your continued support for Bonnie!
Charles & LouAnn
----------------------------
From Bonnie:
Well, I want to first thank everyone for their many continual prayers for me. As I am sure you all know, I have been pretty sick for a while…first with walking phenomena and then with malaria. I am happy to report that I am well again and back on malaria prevention medication. Also, no mumps so far. I was exposed to them on a few occasions, but am thankful to report I have not gotten them. I have off the next two weeks and am doing my best to relax and not fill up my days with too much. But, if you know me, you know I can’t just sit around doing nothing...ha.
School will be back in session on May 9th, but we will go in the week before to make our charts and finish up preparations. On the last day of school before break I had parent/teacher conferences and about 23 out of 30 came. It was a long day, but I enjoyed getting to meet the parents of my kids. Language was a barrier for most of them, but the other teachers took turns translating for me in between their sessions. Their gratitude for me teaching their kids moved me. Once term 2 starts, I will be tutoring them in groups of about 10 and they will stay for extra lessons 1-3 afternoons depending on their level of need. Please be praying this time will be effective and that the Lord will give me wisdom in how to best teach them and split them up.
I have a college age girl, Swazi, staying with me over the next two weeks. She normally stays at a college boarding house, but they do not allow them to stay there over break. We met through a mutual friend (one of the pastors' wives) and had an instant connection. Both her parents died when she was very young and she has no family to care for her. I am going to ask her if she would like to live with me instead of going back to the boarding house. Please be praying that God will provide the finances she needs to return to school this next term. The cost is about $1000 per term (each term is 3 months). Her father’s stepbrother paid for her 1st term and is now refusing to continue to pay. I was very inspired to hear that even though she was not able to attend classes this past term, she went to the college almost every day to study. She is a very motivated and dedicated young woman. I am confident that God will provide. If you feel led to help in any way, please email me. If you need more information, let me know.
The past week I have had a group of 5th and 6th grade girls “show” up at my door wanting to visit with me. It started as 2 and, well let’s just say, the number keeps growing! One day there were 5. The first day I put a movie in for them while I finished up some work. Then they asked if I was a teacher. After telling them I was, they asked if I had books. WOW!!! Kids who want to read instead of watch a movie?! That brought a smile to my face! Now they come and read and color almost every day. I also have a neighbor, a 16-year-old girl that I always see around. She has started visiting regularly, usually around mealtime. Her father passed 2 years ago and her mom is often gone in the evenings. After getting to know her a bit, she asked me to tutor her so that she could pass grade 12. My response was that I will try my best to help her, but I am only a grade 3 teacher. Last night at 10pm we started. First subject? ALGEBRA! Oh my goodness, the subject I hated and struggled with the most; I never liked the “higher maths.” God certainly has a sense of humor. He is just throwing me in the deep end again…ha. Today we will be doing grammar and more…GULP…algebra. Please pray I can remember or re-learn so that I can teach her well…ha.
I can see how God is clearly bringing these different people into my life, many of whom have difficult backgrounds full of suffering and sorrow. I am confident that God will use all I have walked through to minister to these people.
Bonnie
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