February 28, 2017 Newsletter

February 28, 2017 Dear Friends and Family, Imagine that you are 11 or 14 years old. You just found out that your parents are moving to a country you have never heard of on another continent. You say "Goodbye" to all your remaining family and friends, everything that is dear to you, a country and culture you know and love and travel to a place where everything is strange and different. When you arrive, you realize that you are the minority white kid in a black country and predominently black school. Everything is different. The food gives you stomach aches, the heat is uncomfortable, and worst of all, no one talks to you. No one even speaks your language. All you can think about is life back in your homeland with the people you love and the life you know.

I want you to meet two new students to KICS Brothers Karl and Laurenz just arrived two weeks ago from Germany. Both of them are very intelligent, love God, are sensitive, caring and have an eagerness and need to learn English. Although both have learned so much since coming to KICS, they both sufffer from TCK (third culture kid) culture shock. They often miss school due to stress and spend a lot of time crying in the Learning Support Center where I teach ELL. They understand very little although they try. Life is extremely difficult for them.  YET... God is awesome! This week we have had visitors from the US teach, counsel and work with the KICS student body, teachers and parents concerning the special needs of TCK (third culture kids). One of the team has been able to counsel Karl and Laurenz through a staff member who knows some German. They continue to struggle through adjustments to a new culture. Please pray for Karl and Laurenz as God puts them on your heart. As for me, God is blessing, loving, guiding and teaching me and through you providing! I'm so blessed to work with these special kids. I love them dearly! Prayer Requests: Lonliness is a continual challenge although I'm beginning to get to know some people.  there is a cold going around that lasts 2-3 months. I've been to the doctor twice about it. Pray for healing and wisdom how to care for my body in Africa. Ministry: I want to do more. I want to bless, to help, to minister, to love as many people as God enables me to.