Being a recent grad from Messiah College, this word still
has the tendency to sound like a “buzz word” to me. In Grantham, we talk about
community, think about community, and in some ways, successfully achieve community.
But in these last couple weeks, I have gained an entirely new understanding of “community”
and the different forms it can take.
New friends, food,
and movies: About every weekend, a group of us find something to do
together: eating out, having a cookout, doing dinner and a movie, or having a
girls night. These are fun times to hang out, get to know one another better,
and enjoy a bit of time off campus.
Fellowship through
exercise: Every Thursday night, a group of people come together for pick-up
soccer in our Bingham gym. This was a favorite pastime when I was here as a
student, and I am grateful to still have the opportunity to get out, dust off
my rusty soccer skills and have some friendly competition for an hour and a
half. If I can still breathe at the end of the night, I consider it successful.
Two weeks ago, the families on our compound took advantage
of our abundant sunshine and gathered on our athletic field to play some
ultimate frisbee. It was a great time to play with the kids (those under second
grade were given a freebie if they dropped it) and enjoy one another’s company.
The picnic afterwards wasn’t too bad, either.
This weekend, the Binghamites took on a little friendly
competition with some members of SIM Ethiopia. To conclude the week of yearly
meetings, the two teams faced off on the Bingham field for a grueling soccer
match. The liveliness of the match increased as both teams called out in
English or Amharic, depending who was going for the ball. Bingham gave this one
to SIM, with the final score 3-4, but since three of the SIM goals were scored
by a Bingham student, the jury is still out. (Also, I realized today that one
of the opposing players who I challenged is actually the father of one of my
students… whoops.)
Community through the
Spirit: Each Wednesday evening, I have the pleasure of joining five other
women on campus for a bible study. Right now, we’re finishing up a Beth Moore
study on the Psalms of Ascent and have enjoyed the journey together. It’s a
nice time to relax with one another and share the lessons God has been teaching
us.
Friday morning, a group of six teachers began the day with a
prayer walk around the school. The focus was to intercede for our students as
they consider their own relationship with God and the future he holds for them.
We also turned to the throne of God to pray a revival into Bingham and feel a
new refreshed blessing of the Spirit.
To begin each school day, the Bingham teachers gather for
staff devotions in our teachers’ lounge. Each teacher gets a week to lead:
share what God has been teaching them or a word or encouragement to pass on to
those that are here for the same purpose.
The ultimate form of community:
The conclusion of each staff devotions culminates in a prayer for our students.
We spend the year going through the list and each student is prayed for by name.
The teachers that invest in these students get to spend time every day and bring
each one before the throne with special requests, concerns, and a desire to see
a relationship with God form or flourish. We pray that these students, who will
reach the ends of the world, will not only excel in their education but realize
the love of Jesus and have a passion to share it.
