Passing the Torch
I have been teaching in Baguio, in the mountains, for the past three days. The bus trip went well and we started the week early Monday morning. Before I left Antipolo last week I got it into my head to ask the leadership if I could bring Lehnnon with me, to help me teach in the Baguio DTS. I met him last year when I was teaching in Antipolo. He is 24 years old, a native Filipino, and has been working on staff for the past two years. At first they told me he could not come because he is the only guy staff working with the DTS and has many responsibilities. A couple of days before I left they told me he could come with me because the other staff said they would take on his work.
For the last three days I have been sharing teaching time with Lehnnon encouraging him and helping him gain confidence as a teacher of God's word. It has been really great working with him. He encouraged me and continued to lift my spirits. He has been especially helpful the last two days since I have fallen ill. I am feeling a bit better now as I write this but don't have long before I need to go teach again. I accepted two opportunities to speak in a Youth for Christ discipleship program Wednesday and Thursday night.
Lehnnon has gone back to Antipolo to fulfill his duties as DTS staff and I am now back to it alone. I am glad I had the opportunity to bring him with me. For me, it is continuing the process Jesus started 2,000 years ago when he traveled with his disciples. I enjoy teaching in DTS's but most of what I am doing is communicating information. Don't get me wrong, I take as much time as I can to hang around the students but the bottom line is I'm only here for a week at a time. Teaching someone to be like Jesus has little to do with new information, although it helps, it is primarily about character transfer. You learn Christ like attitudes and actions by seeing how someone lives and that makes you want to change. MY job here is simple, testify of God's character and encourage others. The staff of these training schools have the real hard work to do. They are the ones that need to walk in constant humility because it is their character that is multiplied. Their dedication is inspiring!
Last week I taught in the Antipolo DTS and got to know some incredible people. I would like to share one story with you. I was hanging out with a couple of students after lunch. We were talking about everything from gender roles to true thankfulness. One of the students, a Korean girl, asked me a question about honoring your father and mother. You see, her parents are Buddhists and hate the fact she is a Christian. They disowned her for eleven years and it is just now that she is able to restore relationship with them. Her parents don't want her learning about Jesus but want her to follow in the cultural norm of extreme education despite personal desire. My answer was lengthy but it can be summed up in: obedience to God is always the best course of action even if it hurts. I did not dissuade her from following her parents desires nor did I confirm that doing what they tell her to do is honoring them. I placed the source of her decision within her relationship with God. Either way, whatever she chooses will be painful. If she follows her parents commands she will work hard towards a goal that is not her own and be kept from Christian fellowship. But if she decides to continue to work in missions she can run the risk of breaking relationship with her family permanently.
Jesus said to follow him requires us to walk the narrow path. When we spoke I could feel the tension, it was like her heart was breaking right there. Despite her composure I could see that she was really struggling with what to do. She has been so wounded by her parents expectations and she really does want to please them but she wants to follow Jesus. I was amazed when I heard how she came to know Him. When she was young she was walking down the street and passed a Christian church that was having a worship service. She felt an excitement in her heart and went into the church. That day she fell in love with God and came to know him through the praises of his people. She has put everything on the line to come to DTS. I know whatever she chooses to do will bring her in closer relationship with God but it may not be an easy choice. It was my honor to meet her and encourage her. Pray for my friend - call her "J" that she will have the courage to make the right choice despite fear of either situation.We still have not received Sarah's approval letter. We are hoping it will come in the next few days so she can join me on the 15th. If it doesn't come I will have to look for an early flight home but availability is doubtfull. Partner with us in prayer as we hope for the possible to happen!
>>>Finance update<<< We have received some support in the last two weeks. Thanks Pam and Chersie for believing in me and Sarah! This brings what we need down from $700 total to only $550. I can't thank you enough for supporting us. Peoples lives are being changed and the result is changed Nations! If you want to support Sarah and I you can click on the DONTE button to support us directly through PAYPAL.
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