Solar eclipse

On Sunday we were able to view a nearly total solar eclipse here in Uganda. The team at GSF received an email from an astronomy organization offering to give us free eclipse viewing glasses. We got 400 pair of these glasses, and Claudia planned an event inviting children from the local villages to join the children here at GSF for the eclipse. Everyone met in the chapel for a time of worship, a lesson about the history of solar eclipses, a science lesson about what happens during an eclipse and a gospel presentation. David helped with some of the teaching and the visual aids. Then everyone walked out to the "football pitch" (aka soccer field), to receive their viewing glasses and watch the eclipse. It was great fun! Here are a few of the 300-400 kids who came wearing their glasses. 

Since an eclipse like this is such a unique event and will not occur again for another 18 years or so, we wanted to make the most of this opportunity. Today in school, we read Psalm 19. Then we asked our students to write or draw about this eclipse. I thought you might enjoy some of their work. 

Ezra, in Kindergarten, explained his picture below. "This is what I saw through those very powerful sunglasses when the eclipse was almost done. I drew this because God is high in the sky. God made outer space, and that is another reason I drew this picture."

Elijah, grade 4, wrote this:

"Whom shall I fear? For if the LORD my God wishes anything to happen to me, it will happen. The moon and stars are at his command, and everything beautiful is his."

Emma, grade 6, wrote:

"God made each and every plant;

     With words he spoke them to come.

He made the stars so bright,

     The galaxies,

     The universe.

He made with four words,

     Let there be light.

     And there was.

He made the magnificent eclipse

     That we can't make,

     Even if we try."

Titus, grade 6, wrote:

"God shows his glory everywhere,

Here and there,

You can find it anywhere. 

From the depths of the sea to the top of the sky,

It sure is amazing.

You can't deny.

From the forest that's wet, to the desert that's dry,

This splendor makes you sigh.

From dry to rain

You can find it on the grassy plain.

From day to night,

God's glory sure is bright."

Avalyn, grade 6, wrote:

"God made the heavens and the earth. He made every living thing.

He made the sun that shines.

He made the stars that light the night sky.

He made the moon that reflects over the water.

God made a solar eclipse when the sun and moon line up."

And Hope, grade 8, wrote:

"Praise God who created the sun, 

Who made the stars and the moon,

Who made the grass green on the lawn,

And the water in the pool.

You who made the eclipse,

You who created the moon's orbit,

And made it all happen by just a word from your lips,

You made the moon to move between us and sit.

In the middle of the earth and sun,

Shutting away your view with the moon,

Making the day look like its almost done,

Saying night is coming soon.

You who created the stars,

The planets and space,

All the things we can see from afar,

You alone are worthy to be praised."

Here is the beginning of Psalm 19. This passage along with watching the eclipse was the inspiration for these poems, pictures and prose.

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat." (Psalm 19:1-6 ESV)