Need some help!

I have started to write something a few times over the past couple of weeks, but obviously nothing has gotten done until now.

Comrades has come and gone.  It was a good event overall and I'm incredibly proud of my hubby for sticking with it on the day (when he felt quite sick!).

Right now I'm needing some support in various ways.  Mostly it concerns Mandisa, who many of you know about.  For those of you who don't, there's a longer story, but the short of it is Mandisa is a little guy who Myles met in preschool a few years back.  Right now he's back at Maranatha in 2nd grade with Myles.  Sheldon and I have taken Mandisa and Andiswa (who's in K with Hannah) under our wings.  We've been trying to get financial support for them to remain at Maranatha (which is a private Christian school) as well as trying to help Mandisa catch up with his school work.  He was at a public school where the standards were incredibly low.  We had hoped with a few months of extra help and tutoring that he'd catch up with the rest of the class, but he hasn't.  He's not the slowest in his class, but I feel certain he's got potential... however he's not where he should be academically.  I don't know what else to do.  I'm not a qualified anything, especially a teacher... In my heart I really, really, would like Mandisa to pass 2nd grade and move along with Myles.  They are very good friends, but on a selfish note, it'll be easier for me to help 2 kids in grade 3 and 2 kids in grade 1 (next year the girls will be there), than 1 in grade 3, 1 in grade 2 (again) and two in grade 1.... Lily will still be in preschool.

I'm seeking advice, materials and mostly wisdom from our Father.  I want to know how how best to help Mandisa.  I just don't feel satisfied with the answer that he's slow.  Maybe he does have some learning difficulties,and I need to just submit to the fact that keeping him back is for the best.  HOWEVER, if that potential is in there, but just needs to be unlocked, I want to unlock it.  I just need a word from our Father of what the truth is with M.

((School vacation is in less than two weeks and we are taking Mandisa and Andiswa with us to the beach! Some very loving and caring friends have given us 1 week at the beach for free!!! HURRAY!!!!  We feel so spoiled!! M & A have NEVER been to the beach before, so they are really excited.  Our kids are praying for some spending money so we can take all of them to the aquarium in Durban. ))

The other area where we just need wisdom from God is our spiritual input into the lives on A & M.  The other day I was driving them home after homework and Mandisa saw a clam shell on the floor of our car (left there by some of the kids' other friends).  He told us about how you can pray to Jesus and the clam shell will open and then you can talk to your ancestors.  Oi vey.  Very typical of African Christians... they call out to Jesus but so often aren't taught to leave their old ways behind.  I told him that it wasn't right to do that and he said "but my Granny has a whole vest made of shells."  Oi.  ((Sigh.))  I love these kiddos and want what is best for them.   I'm feeling incredibly unqualified, which I am really, but know that God can use me if I let Him.

Please pray with me for wisdom, for financial provision, and for God-ideas on how to help the kids with their school work!  Thanks friends.

Until next time...