Sending the kids to school

Many one you have been following our decision to send the kids to a school here in Mombasa.  Its been challenging to decide what is best for them and our family.  But now on the other side of finally making the decision to send them we have peace.  All the pieces haven't fallen exactly into place yet.  But we are trusting God is do that work for us.  On Monday we will go to the school for an open house, buy uniforms, and some other general administration stuff.
 Yesterday we bought them new school swim suits.  Living in a warm climate year round means swimming is a regular part of school. 
Elijah doesn't know what to think about this whole uniform thing.  Uniforms are so foreign to Canadians.  But all Kenyan school, International schools, and British schools, here in Mombasa use uniforms.  So uniforms it is.  I am happy to eliminate the fight about what to wear in the morning.  This school is more laid back then Kenyan schools, who make their students wear heavy dress shoes year round.  At Breaburn (the school the kids will attend) they are allowed to wear open toe shoes and crocs as long as they are black.  This suits us just fine. 
Elijah has a lot of concerns in his mind about going out of the house without Mom and Dad.  It is for this reason we want to give him a safe place to prove to himself that he can be independent.  I'm excited to watch him build his confidence through new friendships, new challenges, and new voices in his life.  I'll admit it scares me a little to send them out of the house each morning.  Sure I want to be the one speaking into their lives everyday.  But I really feel like God has made it clear to me that Elijah especially needs other voices.  Will some of those voices be false?  I'm sure.  But who of us is not braver and stronger for those voices we had to decide to reject.  I will not abandon my children, of course, and so I know God, even more so, who loves them more then I do, will be with them each day they walk out the door. 
We would have felt the same way in Canada, if God had kept us there.  We would have believed that school was what was best for them.  It's just a hard decision here because we have to pay so much money for school, and there are so many different choices.  I'm glad to have taught the kids this past year.  I feel a much deeper interest, and concern for their education and whole person then I did before that experience. 
You know, I'm thankful for challenges.  I am brought closest to the throne when my mind is troubled.  God knows I need a reason to lean on Him.  If life is ticking along with no worries; when I can easily get by; I end up letting the days slip by, not leaning on Him for His grace and wisdom.  So  thank God for this decision, though it was difficult, I was and still am falling before Him begging for the grace to have a clear mind, wisdom to lead my children and rest in His provision for this circumstance.
Thank you for your prayers.  We love you all and pray for God's peace and provision in your lives.
Amie

The gospel for children

I attend a Moms and Tots group every Wednesday. One of our mentoring moms asked if any of the moms would like to share on a Wednesday. I thought it would be a good opportunity to think through some things. When you have to articulate a thought to a group of people you put a bit more thought into the matter. So I volunteered. As I was asking the Lord what He would like me to share, He brought to mind a small book I had read this summer. Helping Children Understand the Gospel. It is published by Children Desiring God. As I went through the book I was reminded of the great responsibility I have to share the gospel with my children and pray for their salvation. One of the points stood out to me. They were talking about helping your child understand their need for God and his salvation. They pointed out that if we do not give our children boundaries and allow them to feel the pain that sin causes, they will never understand the consequences of offending a righteous God. They will not understand the realness of hell and the seriousness of eternity without God. I was encouraged to continue in the hard work of raising my children. The job can be so tedious. I hear myself saying they same things over and over. But I need to trust that the seeds I sow will take root one day. If I don't sow them there will be nothing to grow...obviously! Lord help me preserver in this so important work.