The beginning of this month we worked in non-formal schools in the slums of Kathmandu. We helped run one in the morning and another in the afternoon.
The kids always came running when they saw us on the way to the school building. They were so excited to be there.
They were not excited to learn.
They were excited to play in a safe place and receive a snack.
One day in the slum I had a moment of clarity about the faithfulness of the Lord.
A child ran by and slapped me in the face. I checked to make sure if the toddler next to me was hurt then stood up to tell a Bible story unfazed by the violence.
As I walked to the front I noticed that everything that these kids did just made me want to love them more. Not everyone was having that reaction for good reason. Violence is disconcerting especially if you’ve never experienced it before or had to make progress in the face of it.
I’ve taught kids who’ve left physical scars on my body. I’ve kept a classroom together and on task while one student melts down and threatens me bodily harm. I’ve taught many kids who don’t want to learn and will do everything to meet that end.
I’ve taught all kinds of students with a measure of success. These kids who live in the slum in Kathmandu are no different than any other kids. They want love, acceptance, and structure. They can only learn if they are fed, rested, and safe.
I went into this month not really excited about teaching again. I wanted to practice some of my other skills and gifts. I wanted to be pushed and stretched into new areas of growth. I really just didn’t want to teach all day.
But God is faithful. He was faithful when He brought me through the past 5 years of teaching some very diverse and challenging kids. He was faithful when He brought me here to teach again. He was faithful to show me how long He has been preparing me for each moment.
So even if you don’t want to do something He calls you to, always remember God is faithful.
