Great Are You, Lord!

Today marked the very last elementary event to be planned and orchestrated during the 2010-2011 school year at OCSI. If you couldn't tell by the books and costumes, today was Character Parade. Students in lower-elementary dressed up like their favorite book character and we paraded around campus waving and looking cute. I have to say this last event of the school year was a bit bittersweet. How can it be possible that in only 2.5 weeks the students will be packing up their desks and heading out for their summer adventures? Wasn't it just yesterday I stepped off that airplane and into this whole new experience? Wasn't the first day of school just a few weeks ago? It is not so. With that realization, I also realize that an update is long overdue. Here are a few recent highlights:

- Another student in my class accepted Christ a few weeks ago. He came in from Japanese class and proudly announced that he had become a Christian. Already I can see the Holy Spirit at work within his heart. Oh, praise the Lord!

- I will be honest...every classroom has one. There is always one student that just pushes the teacher's buttons. My little 'button pusher' is undergoing a 'heart makeover'! She told me that she prayed everyday this week that the Holy Spirit would help her to behave in class. Oh the faith of a child! Perhaps we have taught each other important lessons this school year. I have taught her the Bible and what it means to have faith in Christ, and she has taught me the refining power of Christ.

- I am finally officially learning Japanese! God opened a door and a small class of about 7 of us have the best teacher on the island. I'm finding that I understand a whole lot more than I thought I would and have had some conversations with the locals around me. That is definitely a reason to praise!

- I see God opening doors to build relationships with more Japanese. A few weeks ago, I was blessed to spend a Saturday with one of my students and her mom and sister. They practiced their English on me and I practiced my Japanese on them. It was a very special time of fellowship! Pray that this dear family would see the truth of Christ! They have recently started coming to church and I can see their hearts softening.

- I'm seeing God answer prayer in so many new ways. God even cares about the 'silly' things. May I never be a person who does not have, because I don't ask!

So what is coming up? I will start my summer months teaching summer school here at OCSI and finish the summer months visiting family and friends in the states. I hope to visit with many of you, Readers! As I sit here and ponder the last year, all I can say is...

Psalm 18:1

I love you, O LORD, my strength!

Psalm 77:11-13

I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?

Psalm 86:9All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.

Psalm 103:1-5

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalm 106:1-2

Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Who can utter the mighty deeds of the LORD, or declare all his praise?

Psalm 113:2-3

Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised!