In Nigeria, to refrain from
warmly greeting those around you is a major offense. Offering a warm “Good
morning!” or “Good afternoon!” is recognizing and respecting the existence and
humanity of the other. The most
severe “chewing out” that I’ve received since being here the past couple of
years was from the mother of an ACA student (not one whom I taught or even knew
at the time) who I walked by without greeting. It was serious. With the
establishment of greetings as a form of respect, and respect a form of love,
allow me to share a revelation.
Last year
I developed deep and fruitful relationships with many of my students in Senior
School, many whom I counseled or mentored in some way. I’ve grown to deeply
love my students and want nothing more than to see them thrive and embrace the
life of freedom and abundance that God has planned for them. While it doesn’t shake my love for them
in the least, it’s interesting how little any reciprocal love is displayed from
them. I mean, when I directly and blatantly confront them with my love, they
may feel compelled to recognize mutual affection. For example, when chatting
with one student about her struggles in my little counseling room, I may tell
her “I love you,” to which she may reply “I love you, too.” Any other time
however, when passing in the hall or in class, the same student may even fail
to make eye contact or greet me (i.e. fail to recognize my existence, fail to
respect, fail to love). Such a
situation set me to thinking – Is this not often how I interact with God?
Though He is constantly watching, caring for, even adoring me, it’s only in “special”
situations, when He’s practically yelling “I LOVE YOU!” into my ear that I even
attempt to reciprocate and display my love for Him. I’m thankful that God understands our nature; he understands
that we are like the grass of the field blowing this way and that, as a flower
so quickly lost of all fragrance and beauty, as dust unable to hold our own
shape or position. Having compassionately created and therefore known our
nature, He is willing to proclaim His love for us at times loudly and wildly. And
when we are finally directly and blatantly confronted with His love, then we
are compelled, not from external force but from an internal welling, to mumble
back, “I love you, too.” For what else but a mumble is our declaration of love
compared to His?
________________________________________________________________________
Things are off to a great start
here at ACA. I’m looking forward now to the second full week of school in
which, hopefully, most of the students yet to arrive will make an appearance. I’m
greatly enjoying my classes so far. As I teach more Language Arts classes, I
grow in my appreciation of language and the ability to communicate clearly,
precisely, and powerfully to influence and touch hearts and minds. Hopefully, I
can teach my students to do the same.
Beginning Bible classes with the
Jesus Storybook Bible has been a blast. Perhaps teaching about God shouting “I
Love You” through creation and His written word is what inspired the above
thoughts. I was thrilled last week to meet a new strong Muslim family in our
school who just moved here from Lebanon. It’s always exciting to have the
opportunity to share Jesus with people who have never ever heard the Gospel.
Clubs begin this week. Why am I
teaching 5 clubs? I don’t know. But, they should mostly hopefully all be
fun. I’m most anticipating the Girls Discipleship Club, which starts Wednesday.
At the end of last year, God did an awesome work in the club and I am expecting
Him to continue to reveal His Truth and Love to these girls. Two 9th
grade girls have agreed to help lead the club. I pray that God blesses and
grows their faith as they learn to lead and that He uses them to reach the
hearts of their peers. Thanks for
joining me in prayer for this club and all the girls that God chooses to bring
into our midst.
One last little prayer request for those who are interested
in the small stuff: I’m taking this online Abnormal Psychology course, and it’s
more of a beast than I expected. So, staying on top of Lesson Planning,
Grading, AND this class is going to be a nice challenge. His grace is
sufficient.
Oh…and one more: The new teachers here (Sam and Liz) need
some supernatural strength and grace to handle the new challenges of school and
Nigerian culture. Thanks, folks.
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| My new counseling room. |
