Visiting Schools

kim, bethany, and i went to visit all the local schools around mundri today. we sat and talked with some of the teachers, listened to their stories, and prayed with them. kim also gave them some teaching materials. we saw several teachers that attended the teacher training. it is good to now have a visual of where they teach and what their classroom situations are like. while visiting one of the schools, it began to rain heavily. the preschool classes, which meet under a tree, were then canceled and the students sent home for the day. some of the classes continued, but i began to realize how difficult it must be to talk over the pounding of the rain on the tin roof. the head teacher explained that they will often stop their teaching and begin singing songs if the rain is too loud. this does not surprise me, as it seems the moru people can manage to make the best out of most situations and find any time is a good time to break into song.
i was especially encouraged by talking with one of the head teachers, who also attended our training. he was telling us that several years ago he wished to go away to university. his family tried their best to get the money for him to go but they came up short, and he was not able to go. there is now a program offered here for university classes. he was recently accepted and will now have the opportunity to further his education through weekend classes. bethany reminded us of the verse in proverbs 16:9 that says, "in his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." this i know to be true in my own life, and i am thankful for the reminder that His ways are not our own.