This week I have been substitute teaching at a local elementary school. This school is one of the largest in the county. It is also the most ethnically diverse as well. The older kids had a chorus concert yesterday morning. All the non-participating students came. Looking over the crowd...I think every ethnic group on earth was represented there. I might have seen three or four white kids in the crowd. It is so amazing to see what God has placed right here in our back yard in Lilburn. I feel God has given me this opportunity to not only earn some extra support money, but to also work in a school as an expansion of my mission field. Missionary work takes real creativity and this is just another way to build relationships with a different ministry technique. I really do approach this as part of my ministry.
One of the administrators asked me today why I was there? I think beads of sweat broke out on my forehead. After all I am a 50 year old man working with very small children. I thought "OK God" here we go. So I was straight up with her and told her that I was a missionary looking to make some extra income, then I waited for her reaction. To my surprise she began to tell me about her church and how proud she was of all the teachers in her school who are Christian. Honestly I have been very surprised to find so many Christian teachers there. It is almost like God has strategically placed these teachers in this place for this time for one common purpose. The attitude of the staff there is tremendously upbeat!
Yesterday one little girl named Marta came to me crying. I asked her, "Whats wrong honey?" She said in a broken voice, "Phillip says that God doesn't really live in heaven. Phillip is a Muslim kid. I bent down and told her, "Don't worry! I promise God is still in his heaven." She smiled and wiped here tear and said, "I knew he was wrong." Wow what a moment.
One of the blessings of serving the Lord as your missionary, is getting to meet and know so many people. If you know me personally...you know that I have no trouble expounding on the issues. Cornelia always says I came from my mother talking at birth. She is probably right.
Cornelia and I would like to invite you to keep praying for our ministry work. The Youth Outreach United team will be back at Villa Nueva on Saturday morning for their biweekly outreach. Please pray for my partner Meghan and her team as they work to reach the children with games, snacks, and the Word of our Lord. Also pray how you can become a partner in our ministry.
We Love You All!
