preparing and proof

Taking this busy week one hour at a time, and have been surprised by joy many times throughout.  Sofia is going through a particularly fussy time, but several near-sleepless nights have given me some quiet times to be grateful and to lift everything up to Him.

Students begin returning this evening, and tomorrow morning at 8 am student orientation and retreat begin, chock-full of lots of information, policies, exams, worship time, testimonies, final course registration and changes and fellowship.  Bryan also flies in tomorrow early-afternoon, then Phil and Emily, a couple from Sharptown Church, fly in in the early evening.

We've been gifted to see two past students the last two days, and while seeing Enick today was great, the Lord really used our encounter with Bonamy yesterday to speak to my heart.

Bonamy (literally: good friend) was a first year student the first year we lived here.  My first day of teaching, he was sitting in the back of the room, seemingly sweet-spirited but painfully shy.  Unable to even muster the courage to speak to me, he would answer questions directed at him through another student.  He was deathly silent at all times, always stood in the back of rooms staring at the floor, and qas quickly overwhelmed by other students.  I remember wondering how in the world he was able to do any ministry when he was SO awkward and SO timid.

After three years of working with Bonamy (he doesn't yet have the money to pay for his fourth year), he proved to be incredibly diligent in the classroom, working harder than anyone else, and we heard through the grapevine that he had started leading a children's club.

When he popped into my office yesterday where Matt and I were talking about a new financial policy, I was genuinely thrilled to see him...he had left as one of my personal favorites.  And while he still beamed a very sheepish grin, the Bonamy we saw yesterday was SUCH a different man than he was that first day in class five years ago.

Confident, well-spoken, passionate and joyful, Bonamy excitedly poured through all the things that God is doing in his life, happily told us about the 100 children now attending his weekly children's club, shared about work in his church, about the sweet wife the Lord sent him, and about how thrilled he was to see us.

"If I can say 'I am Bonamy'," he said in Creole, then English, "It is because of you, Madame Matt!  And if I can teach His Word faithfully," he turned to Matt, "it is much in part because of you.  I couldn't be in the area without coming in to see you!"

When he left a few moments, my heart was so encouraged and warmed.  Why?  Because before me five years ago was a man who loved the Lord, and today, that hadn't changed.  But Christian community, intense study of the Bible and all of the opportunities Bonamy faced because of Emmaus Biblical Seminary have helped transform and shape this young man into a bold, called, passionate, capable, joyful man of God, active in His kingdom.

What I love to claim that Emmaus is doing in the lives of its staff and students IS what Emmaus is doing in the lives of its staff and students...proven and clear in 15 minutes with Bonamy!

I hope and pray that what I claim HE is doing in my life is proven and clear in fifteen minutes with me!!

Tomorrow will bring some good pictures, for sure!  Grateful to have you a part of another year at EBS!