You know those moments that keep you waiting eagerly for a long time, and then just come and go like adream? I just had one of those moments with my family’s visit; It was such a great time, but came and wentoh so quickly. It was a special thing for them to come take a glimpse of life through my eyes. They experienced the oppressive winter heat, the wildness of the school assembly dancing, the intensity of sports day, the remoteness of villages, the wonderful rowdiness of my kids, the peacefulness of Isanga Bay, and hopefully thepresence of the Holy Spirit at work along Lake T. So I’d say they got a pretty good glimpse!

I realize how blessed I am to have a family that would travel across the world (and deal with missing luggage and missed flights and mites) just to see me. Thankfully, the kids and the team here were able to share in this blessing with me. THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the items that were donated from the Amazon list or otherwise! I have been eating SO much chocolate and the kids have been playing SO many new games. Their favorite rightnow is Bopit...they just can’t resist that beat.

At the end of my family’s time here it was interesting to compare what their favorite experience was vs. mine.Most of mine revolved around us getting to spend time with my kids. Those were the moments when I felt like I had an extra boost of energy, and this was honestly very revealing to me. These moments revealed just howmuch of what I’m doing each day is dependent on God’s grace. Most of the time when I’m not around the kids I’m just plain ‘ole tired, and unfortunately my family was witness to this (fortunately(ish) they had jetlag so it kind of balanced out).

I’m reminded of Jeremiah 17:7-8, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is in the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” No matterhow tired I am, God will sustain me and strengthen me to do His work. In a more practical sense, that workthis week is to lead the school and teach grade 4 while five of our missionary teachers are at a couple’s retreat.And let me tell ya, I’m so excited about having my own classroom again...even for just one week! But, we are definitely short staffed, being left with just the government teachers and myself.

In perhaps a less practical sense, but more important, my job is to share the Gospel with the people here in Mpulungu, specifically my kids. This is such a big job! I’ve been thinking about Noah and Enoch lately. In

Genesis 6:9 it says, “Noah walked with God.” And in Genesis 5 it says that, “Enoch walked with God, and God took him.” I’m just baffled at how closely these two men must have walked with God. How many people doyou know who have done something as absurd as building an ark, or who have avoided death because God took them before they could die? I want to know that kind of faith, trust, and closeness with God. And more importantly, I want my kids to know God in that way.

Our kids have praise and worship and prayers at assembly, class devotions, devotion time at Pure Girls and Smart Boys (after school programs), and my Sunday Bible study group is now growing. While all of these thingsare great, they don’t have the power to transform hearts. Jesus alone has the power to set them free from the bondage they live with. I hope (“...and hope does not put us to shame.”) that our kids will know that “nothing will be able to separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Please pray:

-that our kids will know fully, and be transformed by the redeeming love of God.
-that individually and as a team we will walk closely with God.
-for vacant positions in our field to be filled soon with God’s chosen people. We are still looking for a field leader and our associate field leader (my friend, Holly, from America) just stepped down, leaving a new vacancy.
-for more missionary teachers to join our school. We are stretched thin, but are willing to wait for the right people.
-that God would give rest to this tired teacher, and continued grace to love people as He loves them.
-that my Sunday Bible study would be an avenue of transformation for the kids who come.

Seriously, thank you for supporting and loving me so well. You are a true reflection of God’s love.

Much Love, Teacha Selah

The fam reunited (at the lodge in Lusaka)

The kids “greeting” Luke by climbing on him.

My dad, brother, and I by Chishimba Falls.