I am starting into my second Unit at IMLAC and I have to say that I am really enjoying it so far. In this unit instead of being with only Korean class mates, I have a woman from Canada and a man from Germany, now that our class is big enough they have split us up into two groups, so it is the Korean speaking group, and the English speaking group. It is really nice to have some new friends as well.
I know that it is obvious, but I really am enjoying the ability to communicate with my students here at Pondok Penuai. There is something about just the little bit that I can say that has seemingly upped their ability to speak English. Perhaps it is that they know that if they use a little bit of Indonesian I will still understand, so they have been much braver when it comes to actually talking to me.
There was one thing that really excited me this week that I wanted to tell you all about; one night I was out sitting on the steps and enjoying looking up at the night sky when one of my students came up and sat down next to me. We talked a little bit, her using some English, and I using some Indonesian, and it was not anything special, until suddenly she started to share some things with me that she has been struggling with. I gave her a little bit of advice, and reminded her that Jesus loves her very much, and that sometimes the reason that He hasn't (or seemingly hasn't) answered our prayers is because the timing is off. The conversation was not long, but I felt that it was a really important step to where I am going with this.
I have been spending a lot of time in prayer, I don't know really if I have told you what my vision is for these kids that I have come to love so much, so I will tell you now. Yes I am here learning one language and teaching another, just for the practical skill of communication, but that is not the vision. I don't want to just give them the ability to speak English, but I want to teach them or show them, or somehow let them know that they have a voice, that they are important, and that there is something that they alone can bring to the table. I want them to know that not only should they speak, but that people will listen to them. They are worth it, I know that and I just hope that somehow I can let them know that as well. Honestly it is difficult because so many of them come from such a poor island that they don't feel that they are worth very much.
If you have ever heard Ps Sam speak about this school then you know that it has five focuses. 1. Character 2. Entrepreneurship 3. IT 4. Agriculture 5. English. All of these things are so that they can be effective in the world today, so that they have something to do, and the ability to do it well; but if you do not believe that you are worth very much then even if you know how to do many things you simply do not do it. I want them to know that they really do have the ability to reach the goals and dreams that they have.
I don't know what all God is doing with me here, but I just hope that I can be faithful in the things that I do know. I know that I need to pray for them all, that I need to study hard, and that I need to be a good example for them to see. In these areas I am doing the best that I can, and I pray that God covers me where I lack.
I guess I will also just say that I have been missing you all lately, and that I love you very much. If any of you want to send me a letter and tell me how you are doing., or put a comment on this blog or on my Facebook please feel free to do so, I would love to hear from any and all of you. Talk to you soon.
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