God’s Faithfulness

Afgelopen zondag hebben we met alle vrijwilligers van de Africa Mercy teruggekeken op het afgelopen jaar. En wat een jaar is het geweest. Samen hebben we ‘stenen’ gelegd om terug te blikken op God’s hulp en trouw door alles heen.

Joshua 4:6-7
Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.”

Joshua 4:24
He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ik mocht namens de Academy getuigen van God’s trouw in de school. Ik had zowel leerlingen als leerkrachten gevraagd om de zin “I have seen God’s Faithfulness” af te maken. Het resultaat was een getuigenis van God’s zorg, trouw, hulp, en liefde voor ons.

I have seen God’s Faithfulness…

(Students)
… in first grade
… in my teacher
… in making pancakes
… when we prayed together for Sambany’s healing
… in the teachers’ perseverance
… when we learned more and new things
… in keeping us safe during the sail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

… when I made a wise choice
… in classmates praying for each other
… when he provided unity in class
… in learning Science

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

… in helping me with math and social studies

… in healing a friend when she hurt her hand
… in having fun on our Field Trips

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

… by helping me not to cry when I fell
… by helping me stay strong when I was struggling
… by helping me to be kind and respectful to my friends
(Teachers)
… in the friendships I have been able to develop with amazing people from all walks of life.
… in the small things like the way He keeps sending me a hug when I need it the most
… in the students’ amazement of God’s creation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

… in providing interim preschool teachers in the 1st semester to help fill the void when Miss Herma left

… in bringing two new teachers to the school mid-year that fit so well within the team
… in watching the Junior High and High School staff use different gifts to plan, organize and complete the numerous outings. It is so cool to see the different strengths being used.
… in seeing God work throughout the year in school devotions and the people that came to speak to the students
… in seeing 11th graders easily interact with kindergarten and elementary students
… in providing 2 days of great weather for the retreat during rainy season
… in experiencing what happens when I give up control and let other people use their strengths to make an event a huge memory
… in providing stability in a season full of uncertainties.
… when the elementary students sang Christmas carols to the patients

 

 

 

 

 

 

… His protection of every single student and teacher during the extremely rocky sail days
… in providing wonderful field trip experiences and local connections that truly enriched our students’ lives
… in fun surprises and blessings from other departments
… in helping every new student, family, and teacher through the transition to the ship and to feel like they truly belong in the Academy family
… in the love, passion, and dedication the teachers pour into the students every single day
… in learning to care for each other and work together as a team
… His provision in bringing us the exact right teacher to fit with the unique blend of students in each classroom. It has been truly amazing to see.
… in helping us work together as an incredibly strong team through so many challenges this year
… in the love for each other in de Academy, among students and teachers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

… in providing energy during intense times full of change.
… in the growth of our students. I have watched students grow into beautiful personalities, shaped by God.
… our students’ beautiful smiles

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deze lijst is maar een topje van de ijsberg. We hebben een bijzonder jaar gedeeld met elkaar. Als afsluiting van een bijzondere dienst zondag hebben we met elkaar Psalm 136 gelezen. Als gemeenschap hebben we de zinnen van deze psalm veranderd om God specifiek te danken voor het afgelopen jaar.

For the end of Madagascar 1 – based on Psalm 136

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good…
His love endures forever.

He opened up an entire new region of Africa unexpectedly…
His love endures forever.

To Him who equipped us for the task…
His love endures forever.

Who brought us through the mist of the unknown and rough seas…
His love endures forever.

And kept us safe in our precarious berth…
His love endures forever.

To Him who kept us safe from tropical storms…
His love endures forever.

Who provided all of our water…
His love endures forever.

His faithfulness confirmed His promise in ways seen and unseen…
His love endures forever.

Who connected our paths with the right patients…
His love endures forever.

He saw us through every surgery…
His love endures forever.

To him who heals bodies even when surgery or medicines fail..
His love endures forever.

He healed every wound…
His love endures forever.

Who restores movement to contracted joints…
His love endures forever.

Whose presence filled our Hospital causing infections to vanish, new skin to grow and left hearts overflowing with hope…
His love endures forever.

During stress filled times, He answered my every page…
His love endures forever.

To Him who provided our largest HOPE center ever!
His love endures forever.

He saved lives through training!
His love endures forever.

Who provided a way for us to minister to orphans, the elderly, prisoners, the deaf & disabled…
His love endures forever.

To the ONE who created the colourful richness of harmony in the music of Madagascar and blessed us with a day crew that sings praises while they work..
His love endures forever.

And opened the floodgates of the internet!
His love endures forever.

For the everlasting supplies of fruit & veg…
His love endures forever.

For the day when the cheese came…
His love endures forever.

To Him alone who created all the lemurs…
His love endures forever.

Who provided a close friend at just the right time…
His love endures forever.

He kept us safe in 3 different countries…
His love endures forever.

To him who alone does great wonders…
His love endures forever.

Let us give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.

Amen!

Nog een paar dagen en dan mag ik gaan genieten van een heerlijke vakantie. Ik hoop jullie in Nederland meer te vertellen over het afgelopen jaar. Ik ben jullie stuk voor stuk enorm dankbaar voor de steun die jullie mij hebben getoond.

X Remy