This morning I had breakfast with a former student.
Ashley was a student of mine back in 1996, when I was still teaching 6th grade. She was one of those "perfect" students. She was definately self motivated and had a tender sweet heart. I loved her and loved being her teacher. She was very big into gynmastics when she was in my class so she would sit out of PE and use it as a time to do homework so we had lots of one on one time that made her even more special to me.
Our paths crossed again a few months ago.
She had graduated from Furman University and was taking some time to figure out what to do. Through an amazing series of events that you can read about at http://www.mukisaministries.com/ .she ended up gong to Uganda for a summer and was changed forever by what was there. She returned to the United States and helped to develop a non-for-profit organization called Ugandan American Partnership Organization. At 23, she is returning to Uganda to minster there for the next 5 months. .
When we bumped into each other I was SOO excited to see her again! She made me laugh when she said to me, "Ive missed you." And I realized that I had missed her too. Even though we had fallen out of each others lives through the natural course of life....it was like there was such an affinity for each other, such an ease and love and respect that when I saw her again, I realized I had missed her!
Its always weird for me to see students grown up.
On some level they remain forever in my memory how they were when I taught them. It was so fun to see her because it was like so much time had passed but she was still the same incredible person with a gentle and sweet heart.
However now it was coupled with passion.
And she is an adult. I loved hearing her story and listening to how God has shown up and done what He is doing through her in Uganda.
This morning I got to hear her heart.
I got to listen to her talk about the poverty and injustice that exists in this world...and that she through Christ, is doing something about it!
She was telling me how she had brought protein bars for herself and she gave many away to children. They didnt know what to do with the wrappers having never seen food in plastic. And so the children would throw the wrappers on the ground, because they have no trash cans...because there is no trash...because there is nothing that they have to throw away. (This SHOCKED me because as an American...my middle name is "disposable".)
She also told me that when she left, she left her suitcase with her clothes and shoes in it to be given out. She shared that even though she knew that she didnt NEED that clothes, there was some of it that she still wanted--and that God nudged her to remember that in America they would hang in her closet, but in Uganda they would actually be used constantly. Then she told of seeing pictures in the subsuquent months of various people in various villages wearing her clothing and how that was very bittersweet.
And so off she goes on Wednesday.
I was full of emotion saying good-bye to her. Im not sure why. Its not like she is an everyday part of my life (although she will be now as I pray for her ministry) or me to hers, but somehow our hearts are pulled together.
I guess its the Sister-in-Christ thing. I love how God knits our stories together and weaves us in and out of each other's lives at different points. She is truly precious and I know her passion for Christ and her obedience will make a difference.
I guess Im proud to have been part of her story, and blessed to know her...and I cant wait to see what God does through her over these next few months.
Ashley was a student of mine back in 1996, when I was still teaching 6th grade. She was one of those "perfect" students. She was definately self motivated and had a tender sweet heart. I loved her and loved being her teacher. She was very big into gynmastics when she was in my class so she would sit out of PE and use it as a time to do homework so we had lots of one on one time that made her even more special to me.
Our paths crossed again a few months ago.
She had graduated from Furman University and was taking some time to figure out what to do. Through an amazing series of events that you can read about at http://www.mukisaministries.com/ .she ended up gong to Uganda for a summer and was changed forever by what was there. She returned to the United States and helped to develop a non-for-profit organization called Ugandan American Partnership Organization. At 23, she is returning to Uganda to minster there for the next 5 months. .
When we bumped into each other I was SOO excited to see her again! She made me laugh when she said to me, "Ive missed you." And I realized that I had missed her too. Even though we had fallen out of each others lives through the natural course of life....it was like there was such an affinity for each other, such an ease and love and respect that when I saw her again, I realized I had missed her!
Its always weird for me to see students grown up.
On some level they remain forever in my memory how they were when I taught them. It was so fun to see her because it was like so much time had passed but she was still the same incredible person with a gentle and sweet heart.
However now it was coupled with passion.
And she is an adult. I loved hearing her story and listening to how God has shown up and done what He is doing through her in Uganda.
This morning I got to hear her heart.
I got to listen to her talk about the poverty and injustice that exists in this world...and that she through Christ, is doing something about it!
She was telling me how she had brought protein bars for herself and she gave many away to children. They didnt know what to do with the wrappers having never seen food in plastic. And so the children would throw the wrappers on the ground, because they have no trash cans...because there is no trash...because there is nothing that they have to throw away. (This SHOCKED me because as an American...my middle name is "disposable".)
She also told me that when she left, she left her suitcase with her clothes and shoes in it to be given out. She shared that even though she knew that she didnt NEED that clothes, there was some of it that she still wanted--and that God nudged her to remember that in America they would hang in her closet, but in Uganda they would actually be used constantly. Then she told of seeing pictures in the subsuquent months of various people in various villages wearing her clothing and how that was very bittersweet.
And so off she goes on Wednesday.
I was full of emotion saying good-bye to her. Im not sure why. Its not like she is an everyday part of my life (although she will be now as I pray for her ministry) or me to hers, but somehow our hearts are pulled together.
I guess its the Sister-in-Christ thing. I love how God knits our stories together and weaves us in and out of each other's lives at different points. She is truly precious and I know her passion for Christ and her obedience will make a difference.
I guess Im proud to have been part of her story, and blessed to know her...and I cant wait to see what God does through her over these next few months.
P.S. The girl made Ashley the sign she is holding...URganda unstead of UGanda...so sweet I love it.
1 comment:
what a privelge to be able to the fruit of your labor in the lives of your students....one of the treats of having taught for so long (wink, wink).... but also to be reminded that you do not labor in vain! the kindness of the lord to be able to see his good work through you in someone else....labor on, friend.
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