I’ve been thrown into the deep end and told to swim.

Speaking metaphorically, of course. I’m not actually swimming right now. Or drowning. In this case, I’m talking about teaching clubs.

I applied to teach 5 Day Clubs well after the training week had ended, and this is my first summer teaching. So, in lieu of formal training with the rest of the leaders, I was instead assigned to work with Cecily, who has several years of teaching experience under her belt and could show me the ropes while we taught together. So last week we taught four clubs in the Lanigan area, and while there was a bit of a learning curve, Cecily proved to be a wonderful teacher. She showed me what was involved in teaching a club and helped me when I needed help, which was often. It was a wonderful way to start off the summer and I am very grateful that I was paired with Cecily for that first week.

This week, however, I’m on my own in Frontier, Saskatchewan. Going into the week I was completely terrified. How can I teach an entire club on my own when all I have to go on is one week of helping with a club? Deep end, am I right?

However, I had absolutely no reason to be terrified. God has blessed me greatly so far this week with wonderful billets, an incredibly hospitable club hostess, and attentive kids who love the Bible stories and are excited to do their lessons. I’ve taught for two days now and I know that it is God who is giving me words to say when I can’t find them.

Some things:
On Monday a girl made the most important decision in the world: she gave her heart to Jesus and asked Him to forgive her sins! Praise God!

The title is a reference to one of our clubs last week. While Cecily was telling the story of Saul’s conversion, she mentioned that he spent three days in a house without eating or drinking anything. “Do you think you could do that?” she asked. “No,” said a five-year-old girl. “I can’t even go 5 minutes without feeling hungry!” I understand, small child. I understand.

While this week has so far been mostly smooth sailing, I do not want to use that as an excuse to grow complacent over the next few days or in the clubs ahead. PLEASE PRAY that I would continue to rely on God’s strength and not on my own.

Also, most of the kids who are coming to this club have indicated that they are already Christians. PLEASE PRAY that I would be able to use these clubs as further discipleship for those kids, while at the same time being accessible and intentional towards those who are currently contemplating this decision.
Thank you for your prayers!

-mariel