"I love you, too"

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?

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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 9^th 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. 

My new counseling room.