My birthday was the last day of school for many students. One of my best friends, Shelly, also taught in Hearne, and her students brought me a surprise on the morning of the 19th. You see, they had collected money to help Haiti and wanted to make sure that it got into the right hands. So, 17 first-graders serenaded me with “Happy Birthday”, gave me handmade birthday cards, and presented me with the money that they had collected through their own accord. Students that have close to nothing chose to bless me with the money that they had so thoughtfully collected, in order to give to a country that they had heard needed help. I was taken aback by the love and generosity of children that live a life of poverty and experience things that most of us can’t even fathom. What a perfect illustration of having the faith of a child.
Last week after I returned from training camp for the World Race, I said good-bye to my students and the school that I have grown to love over the past year. I have been so blessed by the people that I’ve met and friendships that I have made in Hearne. I’m leaving a piece of my heart there, and ask that you would keep the school and students in your prayers. I know that God is holding them in the palm of His hand. I am truly grateful that I had the opportunity to teach such amazing children. I went into the field of teaching this year desiring to make a difference and teach my students lessons about life, but instead they taught me so much more.
“Treat people as if they were what they should be, and you help them become what they are capable of being.” – Johann Von Goethe
