This week we sat down and looked at the month ahead. The month is already full and it hasn’t even begun. I am not sure how we will get done what we have before us to get done, but I know it is what we are supposed to do.
Step
In a few weeks Joel will be helping a family move down to Guinea (the country below us). This will leave me home alone for the first time and him traveling back alone on a foreign road. I will be honest I am a little nervous for us both.
Step
After lots of prayer, we have picked a school for Ethan. He starts on Tuesday. I know it is the best for him in the long run, but it is not easy to send my boy off to school in a language he is still struggling to understand. “Mom sometimes I just have to guess what the teacher said.”
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Enrolling Ethan in school has pushed our finances to the limits. God has been faithful to provide, but sometimes it is hard not to worry.
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Please pray for us this month as we have a busy month filled with a lot of unknowns. Pray especially for Ethan on Tuesday as he starts and adjusts to a new school all in French. This year has been filled with SO many transitions for him.
Will be praying for your family. What a journey so far!
Strength, peace and endurance to all of you!
love and prayers,
Aunt Patti
I will be praying for special grace for you all!
So often you stories remind me of Cathy and Cordelia. Though not a missionaries’ kid she is a TCK. She has grown up with Russian speaking nannies so she speaks that language fluently. I think she learned it even before she learned English. Then when she started school Cathy enrolled her cold turkey into the French schooling system. She went to an International French school through the 6th grade. Just last year as she was entering the 7th grade did she switch to an English speaking school. She says she dreams in Russian and does her thinking in French. When at home, and now at school she speaks only English.
I think it must get confusing but she is one terrific kid. Very well mannered and very well adjusted. I know your boys will be the same. You are doing a terrific job.
I’ll be praying for Ethan as he starts school and for you and Joel as you walk through the challenges of the month ahead.
Carolyn
There is nothing harder than leaving your child in a schooling system that is in a different language and that values different things/experiences for their students. I also know as a Mom of TCKs and a friend of a bunch of Moms of TCKs that they won’t remember this time of their life. They will someday tell stories of how they cried or worried or struggled – only because they are family legend stories. NOT because they still remember & feel them. As older students all they will remember is loving this language & people & teachers & friends in their classes. I remember leaving my kids crying….or them feeling “sick” in the morning because they didn’t want to go….or not liking the food…or not understanding…or ME not understanding and getting it wrong again….. but it passes.
THIS TOO SHALL PASS
So walk with a strengthened heart. God’s plan for your child INCLUDES this. This is not a mistake. This is not too much. This doesn’t cost too much. This isn’t going to scar them or hurt them. This IS God’s plan.
Let them hear how much you believe this is God’s plan – and pray for His hand on their schooling. Start praying with them for teachers or new students whose names they learn. Start looking for ways God is good every day at school….and they will see & grow in faith that God is good….even when we don’t understand the language. Even when we eat funny food. Even when all the kids sing & dance and we don’t know the song…
Praying for your heart as you walk your kids in paths of faith & belief as you take them to school.
Pretty soon they’ll be embarrassed by your French – so they do pick up languages.
We’re cheering for you as you walk down this path
Andrea & all the Moms of TCKs who’ve done this before you
Praying for wisdom and peace for both of you.
And praying for peace and courage for Ethan.
Love in Jesus,
Peggy
We will be praying for the peace that surpases all understanding.
Praying that he will comfort, guide and protect! See you in September.
We will be before the throne of grace. Praying for your peace and God’s continued provision.
Love you.
Dad