My heart is starting to bleed on a daily basis: Part 2

Reflections about Sunday (14/10/18)

There's another group of children. They come from affluent families. Definitely nothing wrong with this. So these are the kids who wear smart clothes and everyone wants to be friends with them.They attend model C schools. Some don't. But you can tell they come from privileged backgrounds.

I don't teach this  group of kids because they belong to the Adventurer Club, aged 2-9. So this past Sunday I had the privilege of teaching these children. Their teachers had not arrived yet so I figured I could help.

When I viewed their books I was shocked. Little work to nothing had been done. So I told the first boy I was helping to come to me whenever he needs assistance for the day. And this really broke my heart. His mother is always working and the father is occasionally present. I just found myself wondering about when does he get to spend time with his dad. I found myself wondering if he has the experience of sharing all his childhood trials and experiences with his mother. Sure, it's great that dad is there- but he needs mom too.

I couldn't help but realize that sometimes parents use money to make up for their lack of their availability in their children's lives. Sure, they want the best for the children; but I'm realizing that children appreciate closeness and intimacy; more than other things and this is good for them on so many levels.

Then this little girl. My heart literally broke. I assisted her. I saw 2 scriptures she had to memorize and next to them both was written homework. When I inquired as to why she had not done  her homework, she said her mom was busy and couldn't assist her. Arg man, I was sad. When she said it she sounded quite heart broken. I 'cry' for her today. Her brother also needs attention. It's a mess.

There's also another hyperactive boy  who's just busy and never wants to settle down. But yesterday he insisted that I teach him as well. And as I read out loud to him- he laid his head on my shoulder.

I exist for him. I exist for the little girl whose mom is too busy to assist. Sure, I'll wonder why. But I'll mother these children occasionally or whenever they need me. I believe I exist to mother other people's children who due to circumstances cannot be there.

Image Source

http://kissingthecollarbone.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-mothering-blackness.html

Encouragement to 'teachers'

I have the lovely privilege of teaching 10 year olds at church. This journey of teaching children started in 2014 when I was not in school and had nothing to do. So I adopted about 4 girls whom I started teaching Bible, Languages and Mathematics. It went well although they’d overwhelm me at times. 

Then in 2015 I had the privilege of working with kids at a mission camp in Limpompo. I must confess though that I wasn’t really pleased with this as I felt I was missing out on the evening crusades and I really felt robbed. I did form friendships with some children and upon leaving, I remember giving one girl the heads up on respecting her parents and what-not. And fast forward to the following year, and we received the news that she had drowned in a river when they had gone for a swim. Who knows? I’ll just leave it there.

As years went on, I developed a love for teaching and an interest in true education. I’m nowhere near where I should be in terms of what constitutes true education but the education system has been nothing but a disappointment and I know with some of my friends that has been a similar experience. A disappointment because it didn’t prove much helpful (minus my laziness and depression). It hasn’t helped me to be less dependent and much of an independent thinker; nor has it given me skills which can help me to be self-employed and of much use to society. And I guess my earnest desire is to experience true education for myself and share it with the younger generation.

And so, I believe teaching at church is a God-given appointment to explore. I’d be lying if I said this has been easy from the get-go. To begin with I learnt that there were various things that initially proved as a hindrance. The children upon meeting them did not have daily devotions, some could not read in English, some struggled with basic things like being able to transfer notes on their own personal books and so forth. I was overwhelmed. How is it that 10 year olds had to be told what to do? Why did they have to be spoon fed? Why did they not have accountability? 

My first step was to go to God and just talk to him about these issues and I receive counsel from books such as Counsels to parents, teachers, and students and others. But the victory came with prayer and having more real talks.

What frustrated me the most was their lack of motivation. But the more I spoke to their parents and visited their homes, I realized there were many underlying issues; and I’ve had to sympathize, lend an ear and to understand. Truth is, children go through a lot; especially when their home circumstances are not okay.

 Manier times upon learning about their situations I’ve had to pray much and counsel. It goes beyond the books. It calls for commitment beyond the book covers and the allotted time. It takes everything.

  But as we speak now, things have taken a complete change. There was one particular girl who really frustrated me. She couldn’t read, do basic arithmetic, or   even remember what was being taught in class. So I approached her mother and there has been improvement. But now she has gone from that to having a desire to learn, not only has her memory improved but she’s even excited to learn. She even comes and asks when we are we having class. Essentially, I thank God because I know this is His doing.

 And so to you dear teacher, who happens to be childless: God qualifies even the childless to teach. God does more than we can imagine in the minds of the children we teach. Above all, He transforms you. I am happier, less uptight and I enjoy being around these lovely children. They have taught me how to love, how to be patient, how to suppress unkind words and all the more. They have added so much to my life and God willing, I hope we’ll spend the next coming years together.

Motherhood:

As I ponder deeply on the calling of motherhood, I realise:

-Being fertile doesn’t qualify one to be a mother, as it’s a calling from God.
-The salvation of her children depends to a large extent on her.

“The mother must keep her mind refreshed and stored with the promises and blessings of God’s Word, and also the forbidden things, that when her children do wrong she may present as a reproof the words of God, and show them how they are grieving the Spirit of God. Teach them that the approbation and smiles of Jesus are of greater value than the praise or flattery or approval of the most wealthy, the most exalted, the most learned of the earth. Lead them to Jesus Christ day by day, lovingly, tenderly, earnestly. You must not allow anything to come between you and this great work.”2The Review and Herald, April 14, 1885. /Child Guidance, page 41

“The mother must ever stand pre-eminent in this work of training the children; while grave and important duties rest upon the father, the mother, by almost constant association with her children, especially during their tender years, must always be their special instructor and companion.”14Pacific Health Journal, January, 1890. /Child Guidance, page 24
If we, as ladies, do not enjoy reading our Bibles now, how will we then be equipped to be mothers?