There are no repetitions at Central City. Every day is new because it is a living, breathing and growing facility. At our daily staff meetings I am always amazed at what is going on behind the scenes, in each other’s classrooms and in the hearts of those who support us. There are praise reports, prayer requests and stories that bring us to tears (sometimes in sadness but mostly in laughter). God has hand picked everything about this place and each day is a reminder of that. Whether staff member, child, parent, or volunteer, I truly believe that God has placed each of us there to learn and grow from one another. One word that comes to mind when I think of Central City is ‘learning.’ It is a place of complete education. Though we do traditionally educate our kids in the classroom, this kind of education is one that exists outside their textbooks. First of all, my students teach me so much on a daily basis: patience, learning to give up control, how to think simply, etc. Also, our staff has weekly devotionals where we teach and learn from one another and due to the diversity of people that come and go we learn so much from every conversation. Students, teachers, volunteers, parents and anyone else that walks in the big green door is learning how to interact with people of different backgrounds, ideas, cultures, etc. There is not a moment that my brain is stagnant.
For example, I recently had a conversation with one of my third grade students who has moved many times. He has changed schools, changed friends, changed states; everything has changed for him multiple times. I moved once…a mile away. For me, one thing changed and that was driving straight a little further down the road instead of making a left turn. I selfishly like to refer to the move as a dramatic time in 6th grade when I had to leave my cul-de-sac of friends and take a new bus home, but after my pity party I realize it was nothing compared to the change he has seen in his life. Not only was his level of change so much greater but his reaction was so much more mature and selfless. Our conversation was simple and yet it taught me so much about being flexible in regards to where God puts us, how we can only find true security and comfort in Christ and how things can change at the drop of a hat. He is in the 3rd grade and has already experienced that kind of drastic change. While this has been very difficult for him he is still smiling, still making new friends and still catching up in school despite his fear of uprooting and moving yet again. He taught me that we can’t live in fear of change, but rather cling to the constants in life. God is good, God is near to us, and God cares for us in the midst of our upheavals on earth. I am so blessed to work where there is so much knowledge to go around and so much learning to be done. Praise God for the gift of education.
Posted by Lisa
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