10/08/09Friends and Family, It has been over a month into my yearlong internship, and four weeks as a high school teacher and I cannot adequately or concisely verbalize all that I am learning and the ways in whichI am growing in Christ as a result of being daily challenged and supported. The five of us interns are teaching high school at the Academy as well as leading after school tutoring and elective activities. I teach three art classes and one Latin class a day, Monday-Thursday. The majority of the week, we are‘going’ effectively from 6 am (I help with breakfast preparation at school and the male interns follow early-morning bus routes to pick up the students) until 7:30 pm (and after dinner-time is usually devoted to lesson-planning andgrading). Yet, the weeks are getting consistently smoother and less stressful, and we have learned the necessity of carving out Saturday as our Sabbath.Personal Growth: Despite the fact that I go to bed exhausted, and it sometimes seems like I am being stretched close to my limit, I am also beginning to feel, perhaps for the first time in my life, like a “well-watered garden” (Isaiah 58:11). God is truly teaching me to rely on him and to tap into his resource of strength and love. I am coming to see that I am not supposed to be able to ‘do it all myself’; that God’s vision for his community of followers is one of interdependence and reliance on Him. Community development: The ways in which CHAT, CHA and EEF (East End Fellowship, our community worship gathering) are addressing the needs of the community based on a holistic understanding of the gospel is truly of the Spirit and radical. Nevertheless, it feels so completely natural. God is using people to fight sin, injustice and generational wounds in ways that would be impossible without him. He is calling people to do things that they feel unprepared for, or unworthy to do, yet are excelling at, due simply to their obedience to Him. Student growth: My students inspire me daily with their creativity, work ethic and resiliency in overcoming unfortunate circumstances. In addition to school, they are learning what is means to lead by serving through the CHAT“street leader program”; which becomes a paid job opportunity. In addition to taking on positions of leadership and a job, they also are setting a positive example for the younger and older generations in their community. (Seven of them even went running with me yesterday afternoon before their street leader duties!) Little tykes tutoring: Furthermore, the ‘little tykes’ (ages 4-7) that I work with after school are so innocent and loving; so eager to read any book with anyone and help out in any way that I understand more than ever why Jesus said that the ‘least of these shall inherit the earth’. Moreover, they are making incredible strides in so many areas, just by being in a loving home environment that is conducive to learning twice a week after school. All the work that is being done within Church Hill would not be possible without the support of those outside,so I thank you for your partnership. God’s love for this community is palpably deep, as is his desire for further justice and healing. Therefore, please continue to pray for all of those who are intentionally serving the needs ofthis community as well as the present example and future leadership of its young people. Many thanks, SaraPerkins J
