| Teaching at In The Gap! |
Wow! It's so good to be back home! These past couple months have been so exciting and full of adventure (though this poor blog has been undergoing a prolonged winter hibernation:)). God has been so good. The past four months has been mostly spent at an incredible ministry called In The Gap, where I got to see God's hand at work in the schools of Oklahoma. God is so, so powerful. Incredible. And full of love.
While I was there, He began to show me a vision for why He wanted me to do what I was doing. I began to catch a glimpse of who I was in Him - and more specifically, who I was to others because of Him. I am a channel of His love. Even during school hours when public school teachers are not allowed to initiate talking about religion with students, I could still show those students God's love through my actions. No, I couldn't say anything, but I trusted God to show them Who He was through me.
One particular morning during the last week of school, I asked God to allow me to talk with the kids about Him. Yes, teachers still couldn't talk about God, but there was one exception. If the child asked specific questions, you were allowed to answer.
At that particular school, I had the privilege of tutoring some of the children there. "Hey Kay*! How are you doing?" I excitedly said to my little friend. We soon started working on the math questions. I was very bummed and terribly sad that this was my last week to see her - maybe ever again - and when she realized that, she was heartbroken. Quickly she started coming up with ideas.
"Maybe you can come back! I mean, how did you get here in the first place? ...wait, why are you even here?"
"Do you really want to know why I'm here? Really?"
"Yea, of course!"
"Kay," I looked her in the eye, "I believe in Jesus - and I'm here because I want to show you Jesus' love."
"Wait," her initial response was, "then why are you teaching me math? What does that have to do with why you're here?"
I explained that was just one way I could show her Jesus' love, but quickly, she became serious again.
"Why didn't you tell me this earlier?" Ahhhhh... I briefly explained the regulations of public schools to her.
"So," she said. "you told me because I asked?"
"Yes!"
"So, do they," pointing to the other students nearby, "do they know why you're here?"
"No, they don't know."
"Because they haven't asked?" she inquired.
"Yes, they haven't asked."
I could see the gears turning in her head. "You can't tell them, but can I?"
"Oh yes! Yes! Most definitely!"
Her sparkling eyes lit up with delight as she gave a little whoop of delight.
I gave a silent whoop of delight, too. God had answered my prayers. He allowed me to show His love, and not just show it - talk about it, too!
*Not actual name
