This is my 50th post. Is that an accomplishment? Because I feel like it is.
Today I finished my fourth week of school. That's right, I've officially been a teacher for a month now. (There is no question about it, that's an accomplishment.) Does that throw anyone else off? Nope? Just me? When did I become an adult? I'm not sure, but this blog isn't about the fact that my adulthood sprung up on me like a brother waiting behind a corner to yell "Boo!" in order to cause a mini heart attack. Nope, it's not that.
I wanted to share about my class. I hope you're okay with that, because honestly I could talk about them for a while.
I just can't get over the fact that it is my job, my job to teach 14, soon to be 15, sweet little souls about Jesus everyday, and that we sing Jesus Loves Me when we need a brain break. I got to watch a little girl light up when I put a borrowed Bible on her desk as she held it like it was worth more than anything she had ever seen. I heard her take a deep breath and breathe out "My first Bible." How excited she looked when I said that even though she is borrowing this one, she will have one of her own as soon as possible.
I am blown away by the questions my students ask. "Why are you a Christian? Is everyone you know Christian? Why aren't they Christian? Do you try to tell them about Jesus?" Another day after one of my boys asked me what a Christian was. The entire class gasped in shock that he didn't know. Another student got out of his seat wrapped his arm around his shoulder and said, "It's okay you don't know, Ms. Meegan will teach you." I pray that I will do so in a way that makes perfect sense.
One day a boy asked if Christianity was really the only way to Heaven when I said yes he replied, "Well what about Buddhism?" The reaction from another child, was complete desperation. "Ms. Meegan! Ms. Meegan! Christianity is the only way right?" "Yes sir, it is." "Well Ms. Meegan, he doesn't know that! Ms. Meegan teach him! He NEEDS TO KNOW." Is that not beautiful? This was not a side conversation had out of range for the child who asked the question. He expressed how sad it made him that a classmate doesn't know Jesus is the only way to Heaven in front of the entire class. There was no shame for what he was saying. Only a longing for a friend to know Jesus.
One of my students randomly makes sure that he fully understands the bridge illustration, before school, after school, middle of math class. Constantly I'm hearing, "Ms. Meegan, wait. Just a second. Let me check. God's here, and we are here. No way to get to Him right? Just through Jesus right?" I love the constant conversations I have about the Gosepl.
Today the class was working on a Bible assignment, reading situations and verses and deciding which matches. One of the verses was talking about falsehoods, due to a misunderstanding one of my students thought it meant false gods. He began telling those around him why there should be no false gods. Someone asked what it meant, he continued to explain that a false god was something, anything we put before God. We shouldn't do this because there is only one God and no one is greater than He. Another student started talking as well. The two said something about how this is for Christians. They asked one student if he was a Christian when the student said no they both began to explain why God is the only God and how we should worship Him alone. I said nothing in the conversation, when it started I was helping another student. Then I just sat listened and smiled at the fact that my students were actively sharing with a student who doesn't yet love Jesus. I prayed that those who don't believe would listen oh so carefully to those who do.
My class especially makes me smile when they are sharing Jesus with each other, or asking me all kinds of questions.
But they also make me smile the rest of the day. Even when I'm tired, have a headache, and loss my patience.
Once while getting onto to them for something, probably not listening I began to talk. One of my boys finished my sentence perfectly. He even used the right tone. After the class laughed for a moment another said "Guys, we're wasting our time." Isn't it too early for them to sound like me? I feel like it is.
They try to teach me Japanese, and I must admit, they are pretty good teachers other than they try to teach me a lot of information in two minute periods and expect me to be able to say it all perfectly. But none the less they are the most helpful in learning how to pronounce things. Often adults here will tell you that you said something perfect while my students will say "No. That's wrong." Then say it again loudly stressing whatever I did incorrect. They are also so encouraging when I say something correctly. Sometimes, there's even a brief applause. No joke. This is how I spend my lunch.
After we are done packing up if there's time we arm wrestle. Yes, I arm wrestle my students. It's so much fun. I may have let the smallest girl in class beat me after arm wrestling the biggest boy and beating him without trying. Oh if you could have heard the chorus of giggles! It may seem a bit strange, but hey, it gets the room clean and my students are ready to go on time.
Today several of my students and "sumo wrestled" while waiting for older siblings. Really we squatted and took large steps towards each other before bursting into laughter.
I love my class deeply. Whether I am answering their Gospel centered questions, getting on to them for something, or arm wrestling.
If you could continue praying for their sweet little souls. I feel that some of them are so close to really understanding what Christ did for them. Pray that the Christians in the class, and myself, would not confuse them with what we say. Pray that their ears and hearts would be open and that their minds would be focused.
I love you guys. I love and deeply appreciate the constant encouragement I've received since I've been here.
