art classes – Page 2 – Casting A Stone

With us

Posted on December 25, 2014December 27, 2014 by Tammy

The fall art projects have transitioned into a month worth of Christmas. Not really sure where the weeks have gone, but I must say I am proud of my little artists who have turned out some fun projects and learned about Christmas as we went. Evergreen trees, ornaments, Santa and stockings then by the end of the month we got to the heart of Christmas. They took it all in asking great questions.

I was so blessed by our Christmas classes I didn’t think it could get any better. But it did.

After talking about our Christmas tree and making cookies I had the idea of bringing a class to our home to experience Christmas at another level. So on a whim, I asked permission to bring my class home with me. I wasn’t really expecting to be allowed so when the permission was granted I was surprised and thrilled.

My Thursday class got to know me on a whole new level and I them. There is something about a home visit that brings you closer. Each of the kids took photos in front of our Christmas tree, they frosted sugar cookies and exclaimed over their sweetness. I made pizza for them and we played games. But my favorite part was having them sitting around the living room watching Tom and Jerry with my four kids. For a few hours we were one big happy family.

It was the first time Little Monkey and Little Man had met my students. I wasn’t expecting their surprise over the wheel chairs filling our living room. Little Man asked, “Why do they have legs that don’t work?” His question shouldn’t have caught me off guard. Makes sense in his four year old brain. He is missing a leg so of course he needs help to walk, but all legs should work!

I explained people are all different and some people are born with working legs, some with legs that don’t work and some are born without legs.

I expected a follow-up conversation about special needs, but as always he was many steps ahead of me.

“Mom,” he said, “those boys need to be adopted. You know. You and Dad adopted me and then got me a leg so I could walk. A mom and dad is what they need.”

The idea of taking my students back to the Children’s home was hard at first. We handed them a small gift at the end of our time. They were thrilled but I felt that it was a cruel consolation prize. The words of my sweet four year old were resounding in my heart.

I love my son for having such confidence in his parents, but as I processed the afternoon I was drawn to the fact that parents wouldn’t meet all the needs of these kiddos just as I can’t meet all of Little Man’s needs. Although all children need and deserve parents, the answer is in the heart of Christmas. Immanuel. G- with us. He heals. He provides. He is.

Once again my sweet kiddos and students teach me, taking me deeper into the heart of Christmas. As I took the kids back to the Children’s Home I did it with peace knowing Immanuel is with them.

A crown on their heads

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Tammy

“Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.” Mother Teresa

When there are children without families living in an institution, it feels ridiculous to think that some foam stickers can help. But this week, the truth “small things done in great love” hit home again.

Honestly, I was looking for an easy-peasy craft to do with the kids this week. There is a huge remodeling project going on at the orphanage and the classrooms have all been moved, combined, and packed up to accommodate. I wasn’t sure what I would find or where my classes would meet, which meant a huge messy paint project might not be the best of ideas.

It was time to pull out a simple go to craft and use some of the super fun foam stickers some visitors brought us this summer. I had no idea that foam crowns could be greeted with such enthusiasm. I pulled out the crowns in my first class and the children clapped. I was taken back. Really? The project I feared would take half a class period was met with great focus and concentration. The kids dug through the stickers looking for the perfect ones and meticulously placed them. The Chinese teacher ran for a mirror as I hot glued the completed creations. That is when I was truly floored.

I placed the crowns on the heads of my sweet students and watched their countenance transform. They beamed.

The children took turns telling each other how beautiful they looked and then they voted as a class on whose crown was the best. We even used the last moments of class for the children to line up for a class photo. The joy didn’t stop as class ended. Foster parents came to pick up their charges gasped at the students who had been transformed into royalty. “Wow! Who gave you a crown? You look beautiful.” As I took it all in, I realized that one of my heart felt goals was being accomplished…unintentionally. The children felt special, worthy, valued and wanted. I beamed.

Later that day I was invited into the infant nursery. A two year old boy, who is more like an infant due to his special needs, was placed in my arms. He leaned his tiny head into the crock of my arm and my body instinctively bounced him gently side to side. Within minutes he was asleep. The nanny shook her head with a sad grin, “as soon as they are held they sleep.”

As I gazed into his sleeping face one of the foster care workers commented, “He is unwanted. No one will ever adopt him.”

I wanted to argue with her, but deep down I knew the truth of her words. His needs are severe. He will never leave this place. But it is only half truth.

I know the One who is Creator and Redeemer. That baby boy is not unwanted or unloved. There will be a day when a crown is placed on his head. He will be whole, happy, healed and know the love of our Father. Oh, what a glorious day that will be.

Until that day, rocking that sweet boy to sleep is like a bit of heaven on earth.

Double the classes: Double the fun

Posted on September 21, 2014 by Tammy

My Chinese is still a bit rocky, but I totally understood the argument that was taking place in the halls of the orphanage on Tuesday – my first full day at the orphanage.

“She can teach art to blind kids. My class wants art too!”

I wanted to burst out laughing at the sweet Chinese teacher who was going to bat for her kids to have art. She and I have become good friends over the year (I taught a different class with her last semester) and now that she has moved classrooms she was advocating for me to move with her.

Only the Father could grant me so much favor and allow doors to open for me to love on the kids at the orphanage. Teaching the three classes last semester was one of the greatest joys of my life….so I am stepping out in faith knowing 8 classes this semester will be even better. But, I must admit (blind kids or not) I am feeling in over my head. One of my new classes is a group of foster kids and their moms as well as community parents and their special needs children. The special education director introduced me to the class with a smile saying, “Tammy speaks awful Chinese but she is great with our kids.” That is a note of confidence to start a class with. I was sweating as I looked into the eyes of the adults in the room. It is one thing to mix up my words with a group of kids….adults make me nervous! I soon forgot my older audience as we started playing with playdough!

The game has changed. I now have an official printout of my class schedule just like the other teachers. I have been invited into the break/office space the other teachers share and I am getting to know ALL of the kids at the Children’s Home. At this rate, I joked with my husband that I will know every special needs child in our city of 2 million people!

You know what I am learning through all of this…again. I really love kids with disabilities! They are the best and I am so thankful that G.d is stretching me to love more fully and deeply. But I can’t do this alone. Double the classes means I need double the creativity and double the energy. I already see how G.d is providing for me to do this work through a supportive husband who is taking over the homeschooling on Tuesdays. I also am more thankful than ever for the supplies that were brought to us this spring/summer and all of the supplies and gifts given to us while we were in the States. The older kids loved making paperbag puppets with googley eyes this week!

Tuesdays and Thursdays are the days I could use some extra pr@yers as I strive to love the kids well and ultimately show them a deeper more eternal love.

I can’t forget

Posted on September 7, 2014 by Tammy

Sitting here in my pj pants sipping strong coffee reflecting on the week. Oh, what a week. The first week of the semester always is a bit overwhelming, I must admit it and should be prepared for it. But I can safely say this week was more intense than most. Yes, Hubby had his first week of teaching with all the new student and textbook craziness. We did start homeschooling and jumped into figuring out Chinese classes for the girls at the international school and I was at the orphanage setting up what my art classes will be. All of that but more.

Trying to decide what to share and what should be left between me and my coffee.

But if I don’t share their stories…..

I had a few key meetings this week at the orphanage to plan our involvement for the semester. So many opportunities have been mentioned and we really needed clarity and wisdom over what we should do. Unfortunately, the need is just greater than OUR time and resources. But, we happen to know the ONE who has no limits. That was my comfort and peace as I was given a unique invitation to tour a facility outside our city with a special education director.

Let me back up a bit.

Children who grow up in the orphanage have two paths their lives might go down….1. to be adopted and set in a family 2. to grow up in the system and at age 18 they are released to be on their own — or sent to an adult institution.

(Can I just say again….please adopt!)

Three of my older students turned 18 and were sent to the adult facility this summer. Saying goodbye to them was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. When I was told they were moving to the adult institution I literally thought I was going to throw up. I have heard stories and my heart couldn’t handle the thought of those horrors being a part of the future for my friends. In that moment I clearly heard the voice of THE FATHER speak to me. “They are not yours. They are mine.”

This week, I was able to visit my three students in their new home….a facility for people with no place in society. As I walked up to the compound that has bars on the windows, my heart hurt for the kids — kids who not only never have known the love of a family, but now are living like prisoners.

A non-profit organization, CA, has built a special unit at the facility for the teens coming from our orphanage. The rooms are nicer with a private bathroom, there is a main living room and dinning area where the residents are able to eat together. But life still is hard. Our kids are used to classes, art and music, games to play, books to read, a caring staff and an area outside to walk. Now at the new facility, they have none of these things. Without these, the days living within the barren walls of the unit must seem endless.

Twice a week two social workers from CA are now going out there to teach the residence life skill classes. During our visit I got to see one of the classes. It is a start.

I was thankful to see my former students, their new home and reassure them that they have not been forgotten. But in a way I kinda do wish I could forget. I didn’t even know this place existed a few days ago. Now I have seen it and know the dear ones locked behind its walls. One resident followed us around and with tears begged for attention. That place, those people, they are burned in my mind.

CA has asked me to teach art classes at this facility once a week. I am at a loss….feeling my heart moved and yet not knowing how to make it all work. This facility is a 2 hour one way bus ride from where we live and is to far for a taxi driver to want to take me there. On top of the issue of transportation, there is no help. At the orphanage the nannies/teachers help me with the classes. I provide the projects and they help with paintbrushes, scissors, tape….whatever I need help with. At this facility there are no nannies or teachers to help. I can not do this alone.

So that is what I am talking to Gd about over my coffee this morning. Since I can’t forget they are out there needing help….I need a Chinese drivers license, a car, and a helper….and maybe a few more hours in my days. That might just about cover it. Okay, I also could use a good dose of Gdly courage.

This is a Gd sized job so we are waiting to see how He comes through. For now, we are buying books, paper, markers, DVDs and other items to send to the residence to use. It is a start.

Not really sure where to go from here or how to close this post. I guess if you will indulge me let me say it one more time…please adopt. Anyone who is able – adopt. If you can’t add a child to your family then donate toward the adoption of a child. If you can’t donate then tell the stories of children who need families and spread the word.

Dear Gd may you find families for these kids before they ever need to be move to adult institutions.