"Darasa Time" with "Delan" the "Teach"

These seven sweet faces are my preschoolers (L to R back to front: Musa, Lazaro, Rahma, Hope, Mariah, Bahati, and Dorcas). This was taken today before class started. They are sitting outside of the classroom door and have just received a speech from me about how when the teacher says "ssshhhh" everyone must "ssshhh." They get into putting their finger to their lips and "ssshhh"ing. It's encouraging and gives me hope that they will be quiet little students and entirely attentive to all that goes on during our short time together. Today, for the most part, my hopes became reality.

Normally we begin our time together with a story. Books don't hold their attention all that well because they don't understand very much English and they honestly aren't that interested in staring at pictures. Volunteers and nannies don't read to the babies in the baby home so these kids haven't had exposure to the wonders of reading/being read to. So instead of struggling through story time we had singing time! It was mostly Danielle singing time. They sat and stared as I went through every "ooh," "aah," "sshh," and "wooo!" verse of "Jesus' Love is Bubbling Over." By the time I got to singing the "Window Washing Song" with/to them I could not contain my laughter. Here I was, seated on the ground in front of 7 toddlers and Anika, putting my all into these old Friday chapel classics. And seriously. The looks on their faces...I don't think they have ever experienced something like that before. Sure, they've been sung to here and there but it was like a show for them, hand motions and all. I could hardly sing, I was laughing so much. I was nearly crying!! I was overjoyed with how attentive they all were! After every song they would clap their hands and smile soo big. Anika told me to keep singing because she too realized what a gem of a moment it was! I think every afternoon will be started with songs from here on out, no matter if it's just me singing and them staring or what.

Now, don't get me wrong, preschool is still very hard and filled with a lot of "classroom management" difficulties but with class starting out that way it didn't seem as difficult. Today there was still, almost consistently, someone in the "naughty corner". We even had to take Rahma back to the big house because she would NOT listen. She laughs in the face of authority! Oh that girl. We'll figure something out, I know it. But with a song in all of our hearts everything seemed to be more pleasant. Juice time is always a favorite of mine because they sit and giggle and enjoy their tasty drinks. Puzzle time is great because they are actively using their brains and I LOVE IT. They need that educational stimulation.

After walking the kids back over to the big house, sterilizing the potty chair, chatting with Allison, and putting things away in the classroom I hung out with the rest of the babies that aren't quite preschool aged yet. It's crazy, you know those baby swings that are like diapers? Well they have a swingset with three of those type of swings and they fit two kids in each swing! I don't know if it's just me but I had never seen anything like it before. The thought of putting two kids in one of those swings had never crossed my mind! So I stood there pushing six kids on the swings. How efficient!

It's been a long week and I have been taught a lot. Teaching Staci has been going well, we had fun using glitter glue today. :) God has been revealing Himself to me in new ways everyday. I'm learning to trust Him with the little seemingly insignificant things. Those little things sure do add up though and work together to create one beautiful relationship. How amazing it is to have a god that cares about all the little things in each and every corner of our hearts. Enjoy your weekend and a very very happy Sabbath! :)