Cambodia is very damp. It rains everyday and we are surrounded by rice fields. We are also surround by a village where we are part of the only English speaking school. Our ministry this month involves odd jobs and going door to door but the main focus is in the classroom. We are teaching English. I have 2 classes. The morning class Bekah and I are helping in the Pre-School. The evening class I am working with students ages 10-13 and have 28 kids. It is a full hour of craziness in a tight space and well just a lot of fun.
Yesterday was my second day of helping in both classes and teaching the older students was one of the best teacher moments I have had on the race. I was teaching them ING as well as the actions. This is where the rubber meets the road. While we were preparing to help teach, my teammates and I realized that a lot of the kids are really good at repeating things but are not able to comprehend it. We practiced going to walk and walking, going to jump and jumping then we did my favorite going to laugh and laughing. It was the end of class and we were quiet while one brave boy stood up to show laughing. He let out the best laugh I had heard all night and we all burst out laughing. It was so sweet they left with smilies and I think they definitely understood some of what I was trying to teach. (We also gave everyone an ear ache because we practiced loud and quiet while spelling the words.)
I have been having fun and being streatched. It takes a lot out of me but I realized that being a teacher is much more then just showing something to someone. If they don’t comprehend what you are saying or doing then you have not effectively taught them anything. For example the alphabet, it looks really good when they sing the song but when they can’t pick out the letters out of order it is cause for concern. Effectiveness is important. Spending time and energy to learn something. What I realized leaving America is that a large amount of our congregations in churches are good at repeating back what the gospel says but then when applying it there is a disconnect. Coming into contact with the truth and the call to do something that the gospel demands should invoke a reaction. That reaction will look differently for every single person because the reflection of Christ is such a uniquely beautiful thing. Not every Christian is called to leave home, not every Christian is called to sell all their possessions and give away their money to the poor. Some are called to stop and talk to the beggar on the corner that they drive by everyday on their way to work. Or buy coffee for the person in line with them who looks like they are struggling. Sometimes it looks like volunteering your time with people who need it. I almost wrote the young or elderly but sometimes He can call you to people the same age who need something you have to offer.
I remember one of my friends starting a mom’s group. She had 4 kids of her own already and wasn’t sure why, but knew she needed to start this moms group and in her obdeience she ended up reaching this complete stranger who needed her more then she ever knew. That moms group built a friendship and a bridge to help pull her new friend out of a darkness that was crushing her. God has gifted all of us in different ways. When we start to practically apply our gifts is when the fruit of the gospel becomes evident in our lives. You will be able to tell a person’s heart by the fruit they bare.
God has gifted you uniquely for the task He is calling you to. I gave a sermon this past weekend and 3 pts are crucial to following God.
1.He will encourage you toward His will, the Holy Spirit will help place a dream or a passion in you that is more then you could have ever imagined.
2. He will Empower you when you choose to do His will. You have a choice to do something but when you decide He will give you the strength to see it through.
3.He will Equip you for the task. No matter what it is for His glory if it aligns with His heart you will find that He provides a way for it to be accomplished.
What area of your life might God be calling you to surrender to Him and use for His glory?
