There’s Pang and Poo. There’s Name , Rifle, Titi, Peam, and Chompu. Most Thai people have a Thai name and a nickname which for me is much easier to pronounce. Basically any English word is sufficient for nicknames.
After last week’s numerous introduction games we played with each class, I should by now, know the names of the 200+ children that attend the after school English program at Amane. But I don’t. The cute and fun names make remembering easier but it remains a challenge. It’s tough when even the little children remember my name and I’m still calling PomPom, New; and Wave, Ten.
I love the Amane program and the ministry opportunities here. This month, my team is conducting workshops such as camping, dance, and painting classes. It is a beautiful privilege to share the gospel, the Truth, and the love of the Father through these workshops. Since the workshops are free, we have no restrictions in doing so.
On Saturday, one of the teachers had a sore throat and her voice was gone, so she asked if I would teach her English classes that day. Saturday is the fullest, busiest day at Amane with four classes instead of two.
I felt abit anxious about the teaching because, while I absolutely love teaching, I am never super excited about jumping into a classroom or a curriculum that I am so unfamiliar with. I’m all about planning and investing. I like planning my schedule and drills ahead of time and understanding the lesson in full detail before teaching it. I prefer working with one group of students consistently to be able to invest in them more and in order to better recognize their individual needs and work with them accordingly.
All this short term teaching I’m doing on the Race is quite the opposite of all that, but I am learning some valuable lessons in spite of that. I’m learning that success is not so much measured by my ability to apply what I’ve learned by experience, but by submitting to Holy Spirit as Master Teacher and allowing Him to speak and work to me and through me in any given setting, with any set of students, and any curriculum. It is there that I can operate out of peace and grace and acknowledge Holy Spirit’s free rein.
Also, I had just been talking to my team about how much I miss teaching and how I would love to teach again. My passion for it burns within me and is fueled by expressing it, exercising it, and by being in classrooms and with children even if for only brief periods of time. I find myself dreaming about it night and day and my Pinterest feed testifies of the fact.
Being in so many different classrooms in so many different cultures around the world, I glean new ideas and new perspectives, but it also exemplifies the need for, and begs me into the pursuit of better education for the next generation. Could I be a vessel through which such a thing may be channeled?
So, in spite of feeling alittle nervous about taking over classes for Morgan on Saturday I was also very excited and delighted. God was confirming to me that He has not forgotten my God-given love for teaching and being on the race doesn’t mean that those gifts be set aside. Through these short term experiences, an assurance and trust is growing within me that God has given me these passions and will use them for good and for His glory when, where, and how He sees fit. I would have it no other way.
Class was great. I loved every minute. During my third class, Benz, the school leader, came and sat in my class. When I had a free moment, she pulled me aside with Morgan and announced that she wants to take me out of the workshops this month and have me work alongside the teachers. I am willing, but don’t know what it will look like.
My first day on the “new job assignment” one teacher couldn’t come, so I was once again assigned to teach the class on my own. Much of it has me feeling like a fish out of water, but God makes streams in the desert and he supplies water for this fish anywhere!
PEACE!
Edna
