To live is CHRIST

This has been a beautiful week. I now feel like I’m actually a part of Jingmen, Taiwan. Teaching was (is) great and I know this is going to be such a fun year. Every single school has at least one precious student to whom I know God has sent me to share His love. It’s quite amazing actually- every new school I went to this week made me think “I’m here for these children,” but then the very next day I’d think, “No, I’m definitely here for these children.” Each new school, grade, class, and child needs a different form of love and I’m excited to be that channel.

Starting with Kai Xuan: My Monday school was definitely one of my favorites- the children are excellent at English and have such zest for life, it’s hilarious. They all have such unique personalities and are allowed to express them freely in class. A couple of the kids make me think of my friends back home because they’re such characters (yes, these kids are in 3^rd-6^th grade. Lol, that says something about my friends…J). Starting next week, I’m going to be teaching two 1^st and two 2^nd grade English classes a week there (Monday & Friday afternoons)….score! Ahh first and second-graders are so cute! I’m very excited!

Duo Nian: The children here are all gifts and treasures and my coworkers/principal is amazing. This school totally welcomed me with open arms and put me in a place of high honor. By lunch-time I was feeling really special, loved, and appreciated. Tuesday was my first day of feeling like an official “lao-shéh” (teacher). I could tell in the first 10 minutes that these children need love- it’s almost like you could see in their eyes that they don’t know the feeling- I’m excited to break through to them. My teacher also gave me my first “Buddha’s Head” fruit…new favorite? I think so.

Amazing 6th graders from Zhong Zheng

Zhong Zheng: Biggest school on my schedule. My Wednesdays consist of four consecutive 6^th grade classes with about 30-34 students apiece. Because of the size of each class, strict discipline is necessary- and both of my teachers kept the classes going at a fairly rapid pace. I have a feeling my love is going to be poured out into the “special” and forgotten kids in these classrooms. Again, because of the size, a few students can get left behind, and I know I’m on that campus every Wednesday to show them they’re loved. J

Bo Cun: I met my first believer in the school system here! During my de-briefing, one of my teachers took me aside and asked me if I was a believer…when I answered “Yes,” she was extremely excited and wanted me to teach a song to the children so they can “learn a little bit about American religions.” Lol, that extremely fun: “Jesus Loves Me” in the public school system- that’s definitely not something you’d see in the States. The students here were so precious and accommodating, and at lunch the other teachers jumped all over the fact the Florida has alligators! It was funny to me that something I almost shrug off as common is such a crazy concept for the people here in Jingmen.

Zheng Yi: Ah, I love this school. The kids are so funny- for the first time this week, 6^th grade was way more outgoing than 3^rd. There are only three students in my 4^th grade class and I love it. The other classes have about 12-15 students and oh, those are so fun too. My teacher’s the sweetest ever and I got to talk to my driver for the first time all week- he went to school in CA so his English was excellent! He’s now on my heart pretty heavily since so please be praying I’ll get the opportunity to share my faith with him and be an overall light of the love of Jesus.

{Switching gears….}

Midweek, I was having a tough time understanding the purpose of the Lord’s recent testing of my heart and life. In several areas, I’ve been confused as to why God’s allowed different things- and what my goal and purpose is for “now”? Ultimately, I know God’s plan for me is perfect and excellent and every bit of it is amazing but I felt like I was missing the reason for the “valleys” I find myself in quite regularly. So I guess on Wednesday I was seriously asking God what my “orders” were. How was I supposed to obey Him practically with the things He reveals in the “secret place” of my heart? Early that morning, as I was praying rather adamantly, the verse “To live is Christ” filled my thoughts. It was such a “duh!” moment for me. Well obviously! My life is to be wrapped up in Him, and everything He is, forever and always. All those nit-picky issues in my heart really don’t matter underneath the head statement: “To live is Christ.” When I focus all of my energy and attention into seeking Christ and His heart, I am confident that He is faithful to take care of everything else without my help. Haha I seem to be constantly learning the lesson- “Christina, you are NOT God.” I want to fix myself, when in fact, I can’t…no matter how hard I try. But if my life is wrapped up in Christ, He is faithful to complete what He (singlehandedly) started in me. And I just get to watch.

“For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, ²⁰ according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹ For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²² But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. ²³ For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. ²⁴ Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. ²⁵ And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, ²⁶ that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again. (Philippians 1:19-26)

I just happen to live here.... ;)