"Joshypoo, I love you!"

Josh's funny face

Josh's seriously straight face*

One of my favorite names to call my little brother Jake is "Jakeypoo." While it may seem childish, it is intended to be completely endearing :) Oftentimes, I will make it into a little rhyme and say, "Jakeypoo, I love you!" Despite the fact that Jake is 19, I think he appreciates it...

Speaking of Jake only naturally leads me to introduce you to Josh. For you see, Josh has become like a little brother too. Like Jake, Josh has two older sisters who have graduated from college and are now living and working in the States. Josh knows all about a life with older sisters, so I feel like it is now my duty as his RA to tease him just a little bit as his sisters would do if they were here. That is completely legitimate, right? I mean, it's all done in love! So, every now and then, I do call him "Joshypoo" and he just smiles.

To tell you a little bit about Josh...

Josh is in eighth grade at BFA and is completely unbeatable in every and any staring contest. I cannot tell you how many times his serious face has made me laugh until my stomach hurt.

Josh has a sense of humor that our entire Liel family appreciates. He can be sarcastic and witty and goofy and silly. But he is also quite a gentleman and he is incredibly respectful.

Josh was our first student to arrive at Liel and it has been so special to see him grow here in just 9 short weeks. We were first introduced after Josh had traveled through the night on a plane so he was naturally tired and quiet, but also really shy. However, he has proved himself to be quite the social one...he just needed a few nights of sleep and time to warm up!

Some things I appreciate about Josh--he joins the girls and I when we sing "I Used to Drive a Little Ford" in the dorm van, I often say "Glory to God in the highestuhhh (with special emphasis on this last syllable)!" when I am really excited or thankful about something...it makes me smile when I hear Josh say this around the house too, he consistenly makes his bed well (I am responsible for daily room checks and this always impresses me...haha), he is incredibly organized and motivated when it comes to his studies, and he expresses thanks to our staff.

*To briefly explain the pictures...Josh dressed up as Sam I Am with green eggs and ham for the middle school fall party last week. I asked for a smile in the first photo and his serious face in the next. Ah, I love it! This is Josh.

My heart is glad

Though it has been a few weeks since my last update, I have continued praising the Lord for this wonderful place and these precious children.
Tonight, I wanted to share several things that I am grateful for...things that make my heart glad...things that make my soul sing:

• After returning from my second weekend off this past week, I found a note from Joyce on my pillow that read, "Dearest Lauren, I missed you dearly but I handled it without you. But I do like it better when you are here. I'm so glad you're back and I hope we can spend more time together! Love, Joyce." I was so thankful for this note because I see God strengthening my relationships with students at Liel and drawing us closer to one another. Life doesn't seem quite right or normal when we are apart :)
• Tonight, before bed, Kate gave me a note attached to a small box. The box was from Kate's mother and enclosed were a beautiful pair of pearl earrings in the design of a flower. I was touched, the note read, "To:Lauren. Hello! My mom bought you a gift. She told me to give it to you. She always thanks you for taking care of me. I hope you like it! -Kate-." My heart is glad because I feel genuinely appreciated here...I have purpose and it is so special to share in the raising of these children.
• Last Sunday night during our dorm fellowship, we were talking about the LORD as our Hiding Place. The students and I read Psalm 32 together in the "dungeon" of Liel (an old cellar with a dirt floor and stone walls) and I asked the students why they turn to Him for protection and safety. I continued to ask why they trust the LORD and why they need Him. After a brief moment of silence, students began to answer. Luke said quite matter-of-factly, "Because He's a whole lot better than this stinking world!" After saying "Amen!" I thought to myself, "Yes, they understand. They love the Lord and they recognize how nothing compares to Him...not any part of this world is as good, reliable, lovely, or satisfying as the King of Kings." In response to Luke's comment, Marshall, our dorm brother and the son of our dorm parents, made the final comment, "Enough said!" My heart is glad because I see these boys growing. I see them opening up and boldly declaring what they believe in at ages 12, 13, 14, and 15. I'm impressed.
• During the same dorm fellowship, AJ explained how difficult it was for him to go to a public school in the country where his parents were serving as missionaries. It was such a hard life for him there. He felt defeated and depressed by the teachers and students. And then AJ turned to Scripture to find comfort in a moment of intense pain, frustration, and anger...he found himself in Psalm 32. Those waters that David talks about in the psalm never touched AJ. They never had power over him because he found himself in the arms of Christ, safe from harm, safe from persecution and attack. My heart is glad because AJ is at BFA now. He is loved here. Instead of yelling, the teachers here instruct him with extravagant love and care. The students have embraced him. And his dorm staff thinks he is one special guy.
• This past Thursday afternoon, I attended the middle schoolers' intramural frisbee games. While cheering on the Liel students, several of the girls and I got a bit distracted and began making observations...of our eyes. One at a time, we would ooo and ahhh over the colors and design of our eyes. The following comments were made..."Kaelah, it looks like there is lightning in your eyes! They are so beautiful!" ... "Lauren, God is SO CREATIVE!"... My heart is glad because these young women are astounded by the seemingly simple wonders of God--human eyes. They recognize God as Creator and they compliment one another in a way that helps these young ladies love themselves.
• Tonight, I attended a recital at BFA to support Ira, Laura, and Kaelah. Ira played the violin in the Intermediate Orchestra. Laura and Kaelah played bells in the 7th grade hand bell choir. As I sat and listened to "Over the Rainbow" on the bells and then several other pieces, I found myself delighted. I am delighted because these children have a place to play and develop their incredible musical gifts. They are so talented. My heart is glad because God chose me to be part of their lives and I consider this a great honor.

I know that these stories are only a glimpse of life at Liel (though I do wish that you could see and hear the reality of it) but I hope it still encourages you to know that God is moving, the children are well, and my heart is glad.

"REJOICE and BE GLAD, you righteous; SING, all you who are upright in heart!" Psalm 32:11

Introducing Kaelah...

To continue introducing you to some of our Liel Family members, this week I would like you to meet Kaelah. This past Sunday was Kaelah's 13th birthday and as you can see in the picture, she was most excited about this insanely large bowl of homemade whipped cream to be eaten with her angel food/birthday cake.

Kaelah's family are serving with the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Bosnia and BFA has proved itself to be a fantastic fit for Kaelah. This is the first school where she truly feels accepted by her fellow classmates and free to just be herself. I praise God for bringing her here so that she might know genuine Christian fellowship and get that sweet taste of heaven.

To tell you a little bit about Kaelah...she loves sweets (especially whipped cream and Korean chewy candy as introduced to her by her Liel sisters), bed time stories, and being called "Pumpkin Pie" before going to bed.

Kaelah's energy and enthusiasm make me smile. I especially love the way that she interacts with our young German neighbors and some of the elementary schoolers at BFA. She is the oldest of three girls and it clearly shows in her care and concern for the little ones.

A taste of art...

Kate and Laura on the left; Kaelah and Ira on the right...it's autumn in Germany! Oct. 2

Gentle middle school curiousity...

The Artist...or The Potter

This past Saturday, October 2, several of the middle school girls and I went to a craft festival in Holzen and we walked around in awe of the incredible variety of arts/crafts that the vendors were selling. We saw (and touched) the pottery, sampled bread, marveled at jewelry, and modeled hats and scarves. It was a refreshing escape from the dorm...so the girls and I called it our little 'field trip' for the afternoon (haha, Holzen is only 7 km away, but it was exciting nonetheless).

I wanted to share these pictures with you to give you a taste of autumn and the bright personalities of these girls. They are brimming with energy, they are curious, and they are just adorable girls!

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The final picture that I have attached is one of an artist at the festival. I couldn't help but capture his work because I was impressed by his focus as he painted the small man in his hands (especially considering the hustle and bustle through the crowded streets of the town). This past Friday after a conversation with a friend, I was convicted about my lack of faith in my own Creator. Just like this artist, the Lord is so attentive to my needs and He focuses so intently on every detail of my life...it's just that I have a tendency to forget this. I also have a tendency to forget about His care for His other children. For you see, I tend to question Him about the salvation of the people I deeply care about. These are His daughters and His sons...how long will He wait to capture their hearts and draw them in? "How long, LORD?" And then He gently but firmly convicted me of these passages from Isaiah 45-46...

"This is what the LORD says--

The Holy One of Israel, and its Maker:

Concerning things to come,

Do you question me about my children,

or give me orders about the work of my hands?

It is I who made the earth

and created mankind upon it.

My own hands stretched out the heavens;

I marshaled their starry hosts..." (Is 45:11-12)

"Remember this, fix it in mind,

take it to heart, you rebels.

Remember the former things, those of

long ago;

I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and there is no one like me.

I made know the end from the beginning,

from ancient times, what is still to

come.

I say: My purpose will stand,

and I wil do all that I please.

From the east I will summon a bird of prey;

from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.

What I have said, that will I bring about;

What I have planned, that will I do.

Listen to me, you stubborn hearted,

you who are far from righteousness.

I am bringing righteousness near,

it is not far away;

and my salvation will not be delayed.

I will grant salvation to Zion,

my splendor to Israel..." (Is. 46: 8-13)

I read this writing of the prophet Isaiah and I have hope again. This is my God. I don't have to question Him about His children--He loves them more than I ever could and will faithfully do as He pleases. I rejoice because He did save Israel. He redeemed them despite all of their unfaithfulness. He made a way for a whole nation. Wow. AND YET, THE BEST PART is that He did summon a man from a far-off land! Christ came from heaven to earth to save His people and fulfill His mighty promise and purpose.

My prayer is that you would recall the story of Israel and God's redeeming love today. May it give you the proof and the evidence you need to believe in our Creator. May it be enough to release you in your Maker's hand and say, "Yes, Lord, may your will be done in my life and in the lives of your children."

I have no authority to question my God about His children... and there is freedom in this because He is the greatest Father they could ever hope for.

As I wait for the salvation of these people, I pray and I trust.

When the parents visit...

Josh's mother, Rachel, and Haesook(Korean Care Director at BFA) are hard at work... it took four hours of preparation for our Korean dinner at Liel! Sept. 26

8 incredible Asian dishes... 30 people... 1 small dining room :)

Mhmm...good.

It is hard for most American parents to imagaine sending their middle school-age children to boarding school. I understand this. It is abnormal for Americans to even consider boarding schools as a result of the location, reputation, and safety of most public schools. And yet, I must say that these 10 middle schoolers are exactly where they should be. And just because they are here does not mean that their parents love them any less. In reality, they are providing their children with something far greater than what their countries of residence ever could--an authentically Christian environment that is incredibly conducive to learning, worshipping, and growing. To be perfectly honest, I did not have this when I was in middle school and I longed for it! Take heart, these children are blessed, they are in good hands, and they are doing so well...

And because their parents care about them so much, we have had an abundance of visitors! Over the month of September, the parents of five students have stopped by to visit, check in, and even...cook for us!

Last Sunday evening, Joshua's parents, David and Rachel, blessed us with an extravagant Korean meal. I may not be able to pronounce what I ate, but it was wonderful and it was such a special treat for our Korean students who wereing longing for a taste of home. In addition to Josh's parents, we were also joined by several brothers and sisters of Liel students who live in local high school dorms. It was certainly a family affair and we had so much to be thankful for.