April 2017 Newsletter

Dear Friends and Family,

This is my goal in May: to finish strong! Honestly, it has been a very long and difficult year but one of great joy and confidence in the Lord. I have learned so much and gained so much in my knowledge of Him.

God has been speaking to me, reminding me of two things through the book of Colossians: 

1. No matter how I preceive my growth and maturity in Him (or lack of it), His Word confirms that I am growing and increasing in fruit; both spiritual fruit and ministry fruit. "the gospel which has come to you, ... also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you ...; (1:6)
2. Even during the times I feel so inadequate and needy I have all I need and I am complete through Jesus's finished work on the cross: "in Him you have been made complete" (2:10)

Again, let me introduce you to one more of my students.

KangHee is one of my 10th grade ELL students who brings joy and laughter to each student and teacher in the school. He is extremely intelligent and can tell you details of geography and history no one would know but a history professor. KangHee seems to know when a teacher or students feels down or overwhelmed and has a way of cheering them up with a fact or joke. He has a nickname for every teacher in the school. He calls me the "YEAH teacher" or the "happy teacher" because I'm always saying "YEAH" (with both arms up) when a student has an accomplishment (hey, for some remembering to bring a pencil to class is an accomplishment!)

Please pray for KangHee. He has a relationship with Jesus but can't understand why God created him with Asperger's Syndrome (a form of autism-the same disability I have). He is different and because of that he has no friends his age. He is interested in girls but they aren't interested in him. Because of the isolation he feels, he suffers a lot of inner pain and is very angry with God, saying things like, "I don't care about [being] Christian""God made me bad".

KangHee and I have had some good talks. I tell him God made him different and different is not bad. He made him different because He has a very special and unique job for him to do that no one else can do. I share my stories and heart with him. I cry because I feel powerless to help him but then I remember that's God's job to heal and restore him.

He has an older sister who was valedictorian last year at Yale and another sister who has special honors at Harvard. He feels he has to measure up to them so he demands perfection in his work but he just can't get there. KangHee is a very special guy. Keep him in your prayers!

A special thank you for your love, prayers and support. God is faithful! He will keep me strong to the end! I look forward to seeing you in June!

Love,
Janet Mulford
ELL specialist
Kigali International Community School