Sarah and I were given the opportunity to share our Testimonies revolving around teaching English Classes. I thought you too should know this testimony…because God is just that good! Now I have the mic... =)
“Coming to Thailand I did not know that Teaching English was going to be one of the main ministries that I was going to be a part of. This is not that the team hid this from me. But, I was drawn to Thailand because of the Mercy ministry. Then I heard so much strong push for needing someone with the Campus ministry…this is where my focus was. =)
At this time, what I didn’t realize was the huge importance the English ministry had and how God would use this ministry to grow me and mold me as I have fallen more in love with our Lord!
Here is a little about my classes. I teach children’s classes, beginner adult classes, and an advances adult class. In preparation for each of my classes God and I have some time together figuring out how Biblical truths about Him and His Word will be implemented into the lesson. With the kids classes we often resort to reading Bible stories that are written with both English and Thai on the page. Then they have to answer my questions about the stories in English. With my beginner English classes (they can read English well but have a hard time understanding what they are reading). So, Usually we pull some part of the Bible out through grammar examples. Then I ask questions in regards to the content. The advanced English class is the most fun for this area. We may use examples from the Bible as an example of a term/situation we are studying, learning a Biblical character for a role play, and most recently we were able to pray for one of my students who shared a personal problem with the class. Most often God uses His and I’s alone time the morning before I prepare for the class for the example used. And sometimes He just speaks in a whisper while class is going on. A couple weeks ago when we prayed for this lady, was able to close our prayer. Later, I got goose bumps thinking about how awesome God is. I asked if we could pray for her as a class. And she responded that not everyone is Christian, and the ones that are not Christian said that they pray too. So we all prayed at once and then I closed us. As I looked back, it does not matter who they were praying for. But, this particular night, through my conversation with God in reference to this lady, our God was shown to be a personal, caring, intimate, best friend and loving, God.
Personally, God has been growing me. As He is stretching me, He is mainly teaching me to let go of my ideals, my plans, my perfection, and let Him take the reigns. He is teaching me to trust Him…Jumping in with complete faith every day and watching Him transform lives (including my own).
This ministry does not start and stop with the class. In fact, it is just the door opener or the ice breaker to be able to reach into people’s lives. After class we are able to go out to eat and/hang out. We get together other times throughout the week because we are friends. And it is outside of class where, we share our faith in conversation and watch people inquire with interest and what to know more…and hopefully make that next step of faith in Christ. We have been asked, “What kind of Christians we are.” We talk about the Lord openly. I watch my students completely respect “prayer”, joining us in Christmas plays and learning about Christ in these ways, and joining our other ministries because we are friends. It is so neat to watch my students intently listen as they join us for our Campus Bible Study and then ask questions and thirst to know more. I love seeing God’s hand in their lives and see how He is working-breaking down barriers and making Himself known in obvious ways!
My head worries and my heart gets anxious as I think about the time I will have to leave Thailand and there is a possibility that these classes will have to be put on hold until a new intern arrives (yeah I cried at this point…awfully emotional lately =) ). I do not want the relationships that have been built to have a set back. I hope for things to be handed off nicely. =) Please pray with me that these interns may be able to get their support raised and be here by September. Pray that I will continually lay this at the Lord’s feet and trust His perfect timing…even when it does not seem ideal to me.”
Yes I have a heart for this ministry and the lives that are being impacted and transformed (including my own) because of it. Praise the Lord!
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