Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering … the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4,5 (NIV) “In place of our usual devotion time tonight, we have a special speaker,” the Dorm Uncle announced to the eager first-through-third graders gathered in the lounge. After dinner, I had expected our usual Bible reading in the dorm in our pajamas. Instead, we had walked from the dining room, across…
In first grade at boarding school I decided to cheat on a test and hoped I would get sent home. I missed my little brothers and new baby sister.
Photo credit: Rainstorm at Miango Rest Home, Nigeria. Courtesy of Tabitha Plueddemann. You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. (Job 11:18 NIV) The heavy tropical rain beat like a drum on the tin roof of the school building. Its rhythmic ratta-tat-tat soothed my spirit and fed my daydreams while it drowned out all other classroom noise. My first-grade teacher raised her voice. “School is over for the week,…
Photo: Room check at Kent Academy. Courtesy of Conni Townsend. “You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry. (Psalm 10:17 NIV) Chirp, chirp, chi-ree. Chirp, chirp, chi-ree. As I opened my eyes, the bird-song floated through the window from the citrus trees outside. I moaned. Those aren’t Egbe birds. That means I’m not at home, so I must be at Kent Academy. I blinked back tears and pulled the covers over…
Photo courtesy of Thadd Jackson: My friends Elizabeth, Rebecca, Jane, and Aunt Lavina in front of Camel Rock. As I watched out the side window, the bush airstrip and surrounding jungle fell rapidly away. The pilot circled around and dipped the wing toward the cluster of missionary families and Nigerian friends, their chins tipped skyward, hands shading eyes from the bright sun. They waved vigorously at the two mission planes whisking their children away to Kent Academy, 300 miles north….
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. Psalm 71:20,21 (NIV) This is the first childhood story I’ve posted in four weeks, due in part to the fact I’m in the Land of the Scots for a month, and it took monumental preparations to get here, including packing an apothecary…
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) We left little Debbie as she was winging her way back to school at Kent Academy from home in Egbe, Nigeria, for the remainder of first grade. Will she settle in at KA? Will she recover from homesickness? Before we continue with the story, I want to give…
Can you imagine being sent away to board at school right after kindergarten? So painful for the parents and so painful for the child.
The droning of the airplane engine made my six-year-old body sleepy, but I also felt like throwing up. To soothe the nausea, I crossed my arms over my tummy and took three deep breaths, like Mom had taught me back home. The right wing dipped. The single-engine Piper Comanche buzzed low along the clearing in the jungle, and the pilot pointed out the front window. “The plane just scared all the goats off the runway into the brush, so we’re…
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10,11 (ESV) The warm tropical sun beat down on the tarmac of the playground outside the classroom window. I couldn’t seem to focus on my schoolwork. I’d like to go outside and play in the…