This week, I packed up my room, threw our the old papers, turned off my two lights that were actually working, and closed my creaking door for the last time. As I was shutting it, I was reminded of the many memories spent in that room cutting out games, grading papers, laughing with other teachers, but most importantly making kids smile and watching their brains grasp onto ideas. I had the opportunity of watching blossoming minds flourish and take a strong hold onto developing their own knowledge. I will never forget our moments of laughter and joyfulness as we sang songs to Christ, chanted phonics sounds, or yelled simile as many times as we could. Those moments are irreplaceable and I will cherish the lessons I learned from my little ones as they reminded me how to question, love one another, and be a life long learner.
We spent the week doing random things of course like having a pajama party complete with a pillow fight and a water party which of course included water balloons and biting ants! Never leave home without your biting ants to crash any party! Most classes shut down the last week but we were still reading Freckle Juice and getting Freckles on our faces or writing a cursive alphabet book. There is never time to stop learning. It was also a joyful week as four of my students came back who had the chicken pox. We all had spots to us and joined in with the unique faces. I love my class who embrace everyone for their differences. On Thursday, we had the awards program and then I gave out individual awards in my classroom. I then was going to show a video of the year which I do every year. Well, as I was about to show it, my computer stopped working even though I tried it earlier. So, I had to shut down the computer and start again. Then, right when it was working, the project went out! God bless Ghana as there is never a dull moment! We just watched it from my computer and made it work but it made me want to cry as nothing works out the way I want it to. Alas, this is Ghana, and God has taught me to just flow with the difficulties. None of the parents really minded, as this is Ghana, and this stuff happens all the time! It was such a blessing to talk to all the parents and hear their thankfulness for the year. The parents told me how their students really embraced the concept of Joy, Jesus, Others, and Yourself. This just made me realize what a huge responsibility it is to teach as they are sponges and pick up everything that is said. I must instill in them the important issues as they pick up everything that I say. I will definitely miss the class and teaching in the regular classroom but God has opened the door for this new ministry in Togo and I am excited. I will be visiting Togo next Monday and Thursday. I pray that during this time I will stay in tune to God's calling and will be understand how I can be used in this beautiful place.
The hardest goodbye this week was with the kids on the street that I have gotten to know these past three year. It took all the strength I had to tell them I was leaving. The whole evening was difficult as we pulled up to the house which African children running everywhere, wearing their tie dye shirts that we had made two weeks ago. They give joy and love to my being and I am so blessed to know this. We enjoyed the evening by singing our favorite songs, eating pizza, and watching the Lion King. That is until our little three year old neighbor tripped over the chord and knocked out the power! God bless our little friend Rafik! They are starting to understand that I am leaving although I will be back to visit. Some of them will come over for one last goodbye and I welcome them with open arms.
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