Thoughts on Teachers and Dreams

Last year, the problems that I had with my staff at the school was one of the most discouraging parts of my interactions here in Ghana.

This year, so far, I've already experienced a little staff drama already, but I'm realizing that working with a staff is just like working with a class of students. If you start off the year very strict, then you set yourself up for a staff that is successful throughout the year because they know their procedures and boundaries. I feel that this staff will be loyal and will really try to implement the things that I'm asking. So pleased with them this week!

The first day of school, I stressed the importance of attendance to the teachers and that they only have a few (5 to be exact) paid absences throughout the course of the year. And of course, yesterday, one of the teachers came to me requesting to have the entire month of school off for exams that she needs to take. I was pretty realistic with her that she was going to lose her job if she was literally requesting an entire month off of school.

But, today, we sat down and looked over her schedule. She really only needs to take 5 days off for testing throughout the next month. So, we figured out how to cover her class and how to prepare for her absences.

It was my first staff issue and I felt like we made a successful resolve to the problem. Whew! I had to be strict, but it I felt like it will help to build a successful year if I'm strict from the very beginning.

School starts on Wednesday and looking over the classrooms and the office, Stacy and I marveled at the fact that even without windows and doors...this time last year, this building wasn't even a twinkle in our eyes. God is good and He is in charge of this year. He is charge of the building. He is charge of these teachers and these students. God is a God of allowing people to dream dreams and see them come to fruition...and He gives dreams that are so much bigger than anything we would have ever imagined for ourselves. So proud to be working for my Daddy! When I look at the dreams that He has brought about this year, there is nothing else I can do but be grateful.

So, I'm grateful for this staff of teachers...

...and for the year ahead...

...and for the lives of the students that we get to minister to and impact...

...and for the ways that we get to be a part of this community...

...and for our school building that has a roof and walls and toilets and running water...

I'm grateful because my small vision of coming to Ghana to tutor some kids with City of Refuge has now grown to becoming a principal of a school of 100 students, leading a staff of teachers, partnering with John and Stacy in this ministry, and seeing God made real to so many that have traveled through. I never would have dreamed that for myself.

So, I'm trusting that this dream of 100 students is just a small start to what God has in mind. I think He has a few things up His sleeve that I never would have imagined!