English Class, the joy of simplicity

Ever since I was a kid, I thought I was going to be a teacher. The short story is, I became a Christian in college and God revealed to me what surrender meant. It means everything. Being a teacher was my plan. It wasn't a bad plan, but it wasn't God's plan for my life. As much as I resisted out of fear, God continued to press that I was going into the mission field. Thus, I'm here at Bama on staff with Campus Crusade. Its one of those hidden blessings.

I've come to know so much about my personality in the last few years and I honestly can't imagine myself being an elementary teacher. I have an enormous amount of respect for those who are, but I'd probably go crazy. I'm high change so locking me in a classroom for a year with the same schedule sounds like a nightmare now. I just didn't know that then. Although I still think it would be a privilege to one day teach. Its a funny contradiction.

Since being on staff, I've come to discern some of my natural passions in ministry. One of the things you do from the start is get your feet wet in everything, to decide what you love and can't get enough of. It was clear quickly that I loved international ministry.

This year we have started a new aspect to Crusade. Call it launching Bridges International, I call it finally going after another area of campus and taking advantage of the mission field at hand. God has given us great favor and connections with the international students. One of those students is Peter. Peter called me this summer and asked if I'd consider leading/teaching an English Class for a group of Chinese students. After working through my disappointment that it wasn't going to be a Bible Study, I said yes. With the help of dear friend Kathy, we have now met every Friday afternoon with a small group of Chinese students.

The time is intended to help them with their English, so we thought. Through relationships that have been built and trust that you could almost see if you walked into the room, hope that only comes from Jesus has been talked about. What I can offer them is not just a native tongue, but rather a genuine love and friendship. I'm honored to be a friend to these students and hopeful they will see the same thing I saw in my Jesus.

This simple english class has turned into moments of joy. Its filled with laughter and excitement. Friendships and anticipation. This....is breaking down cultural barriers. Oh how I long for that to happen everywhere.

Who would have ever known that when I said no to teaching and yes to ministry that in fact God would have this English Class all lined up. The Sweetness of God.

Blessings.