Monday, November 14, 2011
Dear Praying Friends
I can
still hear the children shouting “YES!!!” as the bell rang san ke (beginning of
class). Usually the kids groan at the sound of the bell. This group was something else. They actually
loved the classes and wanted to go. -And
they didn’t like English class so much, which is something we will have to fix.
It is fun being their favorite class.
The weather has finally turned
cooler, so the kids are all bundled in their sweaters and jackets. Windows and doors are closed, and you can
smell the children’s hard exercise at recess. The teachers are drinking hot tea
and cocoa, and Christmas music is heard in a few places. Boy, do I LOVE this
time of year. Though, I do miss the snow.
This class tore my heart a
different way. It was one of those
classes that you wished you could teach all year and see them grow and
change. They weren’t overly friendly
with the teachers, but if we offered a hug, they would run into our arms and
melt. I particularly remember Thursday night, when we sang goodnight to the
kids, we went around to give them hugs. One boy was under his covers just
laying quietly, but when I motioned “do you want a hug?” he literally sprang
out of bed and into my hug. One of the
girls, when I gave her a hug, held on for dear life. Another time, I saw a girl by herself in the
hall and walked over to give her a squeeze. She didn’t hug back; she just
beamed as if she had just been given gold.
It was so precious to see these
children respond to the love of Christ. He loves children and wants them to
come to Him.
At the end of the week, we do a “presentation”
class, to review what we’ve learned and encourage the children to take home the
good character they have learned here.
The Lord gave me the idea of a puzzle. Everything in life is a piece of
the puzzle that makes who we are. Some things are hard, but they are important
parts as well. I read a poem (with a translator) and had each of the kids put a
piece onto a puzzle in front of class. When they were all through, the puzzle
was not finished because their lives are not finished. The Taiwanese teacher who was translating
cried, and some of the children did as well. God’s lessons are always best.
Please pray for the English and Chinese teachers here,
as there are a lot of changes that may be difficult.
Praise the Lord, I got a day of
rest (Wednesday).
Praise the Lord for His promises
and faithfulness.
Praise the Lord we got exercise
on a “mountain” bike ride this weekend.
Happy in the Service of the King,
Barbara J. Sutton
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