“Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” James 1:2-3

I don’t know what you’re going through in your personal life right now, but if it’s any flavor of taxing, challenging, daunting, or exhausting, you’ve come to the right place. And may I so humbly say with all kinds of appreciation in my heart that I greatly admire any parents out there who have had or have teenage kids. You are so strong and terribly patient.

All this to say, I haven’t written in a while (my apologies) and would love to share about how the transition has been into grade 8 with our oldest students on campus. And I bet you can guess about the nature of the first few weeks. Coming back to Zambia was like coming back home; since being at the Esther School my heart is in two places always. However, shifting into a new role as one of the two co-teachers in grade 8 has been a different story. Each grade has their own personality, and as only teenagers can, this class has been a roller coaster, exploring the extremes of the whole spectrum of human emotions. In other words: it’s been a challenge. As kids get older, their problems become more complex, and one can only hope that they’ve developed a foundation of truth to underscore their lives.

This has become my DAILY prayer, for every student in our class to first know the value of Christ’s cross and sacrifice in their lives and to make choices that align with biblical truth. Honestly, our kids have a lot working against them. Some are the first person in their family to get to this secondary level of education. Others are in unstable or unhealthy home environments. And many have heightened responsibilities comparative to what a typical American teenager would experience, such as being a caretaker to younger siblings and/or managing different household affairs. Not to mention how other friends their age outside of the Esther School are participating in different kinds of sinful practices, which I’m sure look intriguing. And being off of school for two months because of COVID.

Even with all the crazy teenage changes and harsh life circumstances, our students have SO much going for them. A God who has promised His faithful, eternal love for them, food and water every day, and a whole staff (teachers, administration, parents, workers, etc.) dedicated to spending their time to see them succeed not only academically, but spiritually and emotionally as well. I frequently have to remind myself of these truths after days seemingly defined by behavior problems and low scores. Additionally, I have tried (and succeeded most days) to intentionally seek out moments of joy and good from the Lord, and of course there are countless moments.

This takes me back to the opening verse that God has been laying on my heart. Considering various trials (from the extreme of being thrown into a fiery furnace to feeling like a failure) as great joys seems to be an impossible task. How can I have “great joy” when all I feel is the hurt/pain I’m going through? Our administrator, and my pastor here, Mr. Mwale shed some light on the answer. The last part of verse 3 and 4 clarify what truth we need to focus on in hard times: “…you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” These last characteristics sound so attractive, to have endurance and be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing?! But they don’t come easily, or without the testing of a person’s faith through various trial. However, if we keep our eyes on the promised prize, then we can even do the impossible of perceiving trials as a benefit to us.

Especially in the first few weeks of being with grade 8, my co-teacher and I experienced many things that challenged and stretched us in new and uncomfortable ways. However, through enduring and steadfastly showing up day in and day out, some amazing changes have been seen in the overall attitude and demeanor of the class. I thank God for His divine intervention and for my co-teacher’s partnership in working for the best for our students and pray they continue to grow into Jesus-following young adults. So, keep doing what you’re doing, and leave the results up to God.

In Christ Always,

Erika

Prayer Requests:

• God’s guidance for our students in their teenage years and wisdom for us as teachers to speak words of life and truth into individual situations
• For our administration as they continue the hiring process for new Zambian teachers
• For our families and students in hard situations because of the surrounding environment

Praises:

• Our school has been back in session with no interruptions since August
• COVID numbers are so low in Zambia!
• We’ve been blessed with and are using the new Worship Centre
• My co-teacher and his amazing attitude towards learning and the students
• Allison & Wayne Costley came for a visit to jumpstart the Stoplight Approach for our students, which utilizes psychology to teach them how to be aware of and regulate their emotions well
• Chicken barns are producing thousands of eggs and their all being sold!