So Simple Yet So Meaningful

Last night I went to Marita Barnett house for devotions and brought scrap paper and markers to draw with the children afterwards. However, I was the one who ended up doing all the drawing that evening. A sweet 12 year old girl named Ethel drew me a beautiful picture so I drew her name in block letters and created fun patterns in each letter. I decorated around her name and wrote I love you. After I gave her the drawing and all the other children saw it, they all asked me to draw their names too. So I spent the evening drawing each child's name. I did this until I ran out of paper. So I told the children I would bring more paper to draw the rest of their names. I really enjoyed drawing each child's name because as I was drawing each one I was thinking about how precious each one is to the Lord. He knows each one by name and created each one for His special purpose, and I want to communicate to each child just how special he or she is. What better way than to draw their names. One gift I feel the Lord has given me is an overwhelming amount of love for each child here at the Village of Hope. All the children are a part of my heart, and I can sincerely say that I know each one of them by name.

After I ran out of paper, Ethel asked me to teach her how to draw a star. I demonstrated how to draw one, and she practiced until she finally could do it. It warmed my heart to see her beautiful face light up with joy once she was able to draw a star. Something so simple yet so meaningful for this young girl to accomplish and that is the joy in teaching. I showed Ethel how to draw a face another time I came over to her house to draw, and ever since then, she has asked me to come back to draw more with her. I absolutely love spending time in the evenings with the children in each house, drawing with them and spending time teaching those who are interested in learning to draw.

Three Cheers for Art

I love teaching the primary classes because every time I walk into the room for art class, the whole class cheers with excitement. Last week I was teaching class 2 about how to create patterns so I decided to give them a rainbow scratchboard to practice drawing their patterns on. As I was demonstating on the whiteboard how to create a pattern using different shapes, the entire class was so quiet and intensely watching me draw. It was such an amazing moment because they were all silent and listening. It does not always happen this way where they are all listening as I am trying teach. As I drew the different patterns on the board they applauded with complete delight and amazement at what I was drawing. It was so great! Then when I told them they would each get a scratchboard of their own to use to create patterns on, they all shouted with excitement and clapped. It was so precious to see all their faces light up with joy over having the opportuntity to use the materials I brought for them. I am sure this was their first time using a scratchboard, and they were anxious to try it out.

Last week I was also teaching class 3 about how to create patterns with paper shapes and how to create a rubbing from their patterns. I demonstrated on the whiteboard how to create a pattern with fun shapes. I showed them step by step how to create a pattern on the board, and they all applauded me with each step. Then afterwards I showed them my sample and immediately after they saw it, they all clapped. They also got really excited and clapped when I showed them how to create a rubbing using my example. All the children loved using the fun shapes to make their own patterns, and it was so sweet to hear them sing quietly as they worked. These are the moments when I am teaching that make the hard days all worth it. This was definitely the highlight of my week! I have so much I would love to teach all the children here, and it is these days that are so rewarding when I see the delight and excitement in the faces.