Month 2: Quito, Ecuador
This month’s ministry has been in a private Christian school called T.W. Anderson. I have had the pleasure of teaching dance to second graders! For most of the day my time is filled with books, devotionals and blog writing. For a little while there I struggled with the idea that I wasn’t doing enough or that me being there was pointless.
The highlight of my day is when I can work with these niños. I was a cheerleading coach for a year while in NY and Joey has experience teaching dance classes. When they asked us to come up with a routine for the second grade class we were thrilled!
Day one- look for music. As we searched youtube for age appropriate songs we found a few catchy tunes that had no lyrics. The kids bopped their heads while eating lunch as we played Justin Beiber “What Do You Mean” instrumental. Then we found “Minions Electrónico”.
They.
Went.
Nuts!
Lunch time quickly became a dance party! My heart filled seeing them dance and smile and jump around. Yup. Looks like we found a good one.
Over the next few weeks we taught them a routine that also included houla-hoops. I’ve never choreographed a dance like this before but what’s the World Race without a little stretching? They caught on so quickly and through broken Spanish and mostly English they understood our instructions. It would not have been possible without their teacher Angie though.
Angie is a christian and you can see her love for these kids daily. The way she interacts with them and guides them through our dance lesson is not only a relief (she translates) but also refreshing to see the love of the Lord poured out on them. It is easy to tell which instructors are tired or having a bad day, but she never seems to let that get to her. She’s always in a positive mood and so loving. Clearly she chooses joy daily.
I am so excited for them to perform this weekend! It has been incredibly fulfilling to work with them. I love when they wave hi in the halls as they go from one class to the next and recognize Joey and I. To cause an uproar simply by walking into the room secretly makes me so happy, though we have to encourage them not to go too crazy.
Sometimes we know when we are walking in our calling by recognizing deeply rewarding interactions and a passion that overflows. Other times we are lost in how powerful or impactful our presence is because it comes so natural to us. Teaching a dance routine comes easily to me but I have to remind myself that these are the gifts the Lord is using.
What things seem easy or mundane or simple to you that would be an incredible blessing to others? God has gifted us all differently for a purpose.
“As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
1 Corinthians 12:20-27 NIV
As a body has many parts, the church has a need for everyone’s gifts, talents and abilities. I encourage you to walk in the things that are your passions or strengths. The things that bring glory to God, edify the Church and bless others. They are not a mistake, they are your calling.
P.S. I love their sass!
