Sarah helps Mrs. Veneman (director’s wife) with the 3 year old level. Isaac, Obadiah, Austin, Anna Blessing, Janjay, and Makatee sing songs, learn letters, numbers and colors. They have a Bible story, music time, snack and games. Learning and discipline are in full working order from 8 – 10 am. Sarah then helps Mrs. Mckeighen in first grade. Julie Mckeighen is the director of education. She teaches reading to the k-1 children.
Mrs. Veneman greeting the children
Austin beating the drums
On the other side of the building you can find me, Iryna, and Joe with the four year old level. Included in this group of 12 children are 5 girls who are the daughters of people who work at the Rafiki Village. Rafiki not only provides school for the village children but scholarships are offered to children outside the village. These girls are provided with uniforms and a hot breakfast as well. There is much learning going on in our class as well. Some of our learning is slightly more advanced to prepare for kindergarten and we are in class until 11 am.
Our class
As I stay to prepare fot the next day, Sarah, Iryna and Joe hurry tackle their own school work. Joe does take one trip back to the school at 1:30 to play baseball or soccer with the kindergarten/first grade class.
Joe playing softball
Meanwhile Alan is overseeing work in the kitchen. He has a great kitchen staff. All 3 meals are cooked and served in the kitchen/dining hall. This gives the housemothers more time to focus on the children. He also helps Dave Veneman (director) with various other tasks, which often includes going to Monrovia, the capital of Liberia.
Teaching the children
Our days are full of blessings and challenges. They usually end with a 45 minute walk down the road and along the Atlantic Ocean. The rainy season is upon us as we will see yow many days we are able to walk in the coming months. On Sundays we are visiting different churches in Monrovia and going out to lunch afterwards. This Sunday we had lunch with another American family (Baptist missionaries) that have lived here since 1986. The children from the village go to several different churches depending on where their mama goes. Their church attire is very special. The mamas get dressed up as well. They walk about ¾ of a mile to a junction where they catch a taxi to church in Monrovia.
A group of boys ready for church
One of the girl's groups
Liberia is a hurting country. Poverty is everywhere and the children are in great need. As Jesus said in Matthew 9:37, 38 “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Pray for the laborers here. Pray for the harvest. Pray for the children here and the children yet to come.
5 comments:
I love how God has blended your family into the village so quickly. Thank you for the special glimspe into life at the village. I love how each member of your family has jumped right in and found their spot to serve. The Lord has so many more blessing in store for each of you and you serve Him faithfully. Thank you for your service. Cheryl I loved the pictures.
We just LOVED seeing the pictures of your life in Liberia! Thank you for helping us see the needs there more clearly....we will continue to pray for you as you minister to God's people!
The Dowlings
thank you for sharing "a day in your life" with us! it's fun picturing you all and seeing what you're doing each day. Especially like the pic of the girls in their Sunday best. :) cute hats!
love from Texas!!
That picture with Isaac is incredibly cute. Thank you for sharing this glimpse into your work. We're praying for y'all. God bless!
Nathaniel Darnell
Thanks, June, for your clear description of your jobs and life there. All the details help us to picture what you are doing, as well as the photos. The children are so pretty and handsome dressed up for church! Know that we love you, pray for you, and hope your time is more full of blessings than challenges!
Much love,
Sandi for the Goforths
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