(July 2011)
Û Looking Back With Joy
This time last year I was already in Bogotá, Colombia and anticipating the start of my ministry at El Camino Academy. Now here I am ending a seven week summer break back home in PA and preparing to return to Bogotá for a second year of teaching at El Camino!
As I was thinking about what to include in this letter, where to begin, and how to fit all that I wanted to say, so many things flooded my mind and heart. But, one theme that seemed to be so present and growing from the beginning for me was JOY. Where I thought there would be much fear, worry, anxiety, and uncertainty with this new and different experience, there was instead great JOY. A joy accompanied by peace and contentment—things that can only come from God. He allowed me to feel at home away from home. He allowed me to feel safe and comfortable despite the new and unknown. He helped me to feel like I was right where I belonged. Even up until the end of this year, the whole experience seemed so surreal to me. I sometimes felt like I was living someone else’s life. But, once again I was reminded that God’s plans are far more awesome than we can ever dream up for ourselves—His plans are perfect. God is continually surprising and amazing me with his great love, provision, and faithfulness. It is so neat to see Him at work in even the tiniest bits and pieces of my life! I know He has gone before me, has been and will be with me in every step I take, and even knows the future—how comforting and exciting!
My biggest JOY this year came from working with my twenty-one second-graders. It was amazing getting to learn and grow alongside them. All through college, training to become a teacher, I never pictured myself working in a Christian school. But I have come to realize how much more there is to it than just teaching Bible. I have really enjoyed getting to not only talk about God and His Holy Word, but also helping students put it into practice, just like Philippians 4:8-9, which we memorized in elementary chapel this year, tells us to do. It was so rewarding getting to not only help my students grow in their academic knowledge and in the English language, but also to help mold and shape their hearts.
I was also blessed by our school community as a whole. My students’ parents supported and encouraged me as a teacher and friend. My co-workers were positive professional and spiritual examples for me. I was also encouraged and challenged by the things other students at our school were learning and doing, from listening to the pre-kinder students recite Bible verses to going on ministry trips with high school students.
Outside of school I really enjoyed learning to know the people, culture, and country of Colombia by observing and also participating in different things. I have developed such a love for Colombia and it is so neat to see God at work here.
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11
Looking Ahead With Anticipation Ü
I surprised myself with how early on in the year I was already thinking about the next year. Before leaving I figured I’d be going for just one year—that seemed plenty long enough to be away from home, friends, and family and living and working in a different country and culture. But soon I started feeling like one year was not going to be long enough. After much thinking and praying, in early March, even before the school needed to know my plans for the next year, I felt ready and confident to announce that I would stay for a second year. I felt it was where God wanted me and it was the desire of my heart.
A little while later, when I thought all my big decisions had been made, and I had it all figured out—I’d teach 2nd grade again—I started to feel like what seemed like it should be a given, might not be. I felt that I should consider moving up to third grade. I fought with this decision for the next few months and into the start of summer, talking with administration, seeking advice from other teachers, and going to the Lord for guidance. Finally, several weeks ago I made the decision to loop onto third grade with my students. While this will present new challenges, starting over in a new classroom with a new curriculum, I am so excited for the opportunities it brings to deepen my relationships with my students.
I am excited to continue to carry out the school’s motto, “training for life,” taken from Deuteronomy 6: 5-7. Getting to work with the same group of students for another year gives me an awesome opportunity to do this. While our school doesn’t serve the poorest or neediest children of Colombia, we are working to raise up future Christian leaders who will have the opportunity to positively impact Colombia and other parts of the world. While my main focus is my own classroom of students, I am excited to also become more involved in other parts of my school and community this next year.
I can’t wait to see what all God has in store for this new year!
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6
Needs:
First and foremost, your prayers are greatly appreciated. Please see the prayer requests listed below. Also included is a picture of my class. Please hang this somewhere to remind yourself to be praying for us. We will also be praying for you throughout the year!
Secondly, I need to raise money to cover my living expenses (rent, utilities, food, and transportation). If you wish to give towards my service at El Camino Academy there are several options for doing so. You may make donations online with a credit card or by bank transfer at http://www.rce-international.org/donate.htm or by writing out a check payable to RCE International. (Checks should include my account number, 11925, on the memo line rather than my name. Mail checks to: RCE International, PO Box 4528, Wheaton, IL 60189. Please also include the enclosed “My Commitment” card in an envelope with your check.)
Please stay in touch! I would love to hear what God is doing in your life as well as how to be specifically praying for you. Also, don’t forget to check out my blog which is updated monthly. If you don’t receive e-mail updates from me, it’s probably because I don’t have your e-mail address—in that case, please send me a quick e-mail at soofee.tee@gmail.com so that I have it!
Thanks for your support and encouragement!
With Love and Thanks,
Sophie
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- Peace and patience with adjusting to the many changes this new year will present (in many ways it’s like I’m starting over: new classroom/grade, new living situation, new roommates, new co-workers)
- Deepening of old relationships and start of new ones
- That I may be a source of encouragement and support for new teachers, especially in elementary
- Wisdom in knowing where and how much to get involved in “extra stuff” both inside and outside of school
- Patience and perseverance in improving my Spanish
~~~
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
1 John 5:14
~~~
No comments:
Post a Comment