When I we returned to the States, I expected that sense of
kinship to be left behind on the front lines of the mission field. And indeed, at first it seemed to be as I had
expected. Here in America the teachers’
lives weren’t defined so much by their work at the school. We had families of our own, lives quite
divergent from the school, and we rarely crossed paths outside of CAA. Here most of the teachers were veterans in
their own right, and if anyone was the newbie on the team, at least that first
year, it was me. It seemed to me that
each of us was in our own world, occasionally hailing to one another a brief
word of encouragement during staff worship or while passing in the
hallways. Like ships in the night, we
shared the same space, but were essentially alone.
But this year, something has shifted. What I thought was reserved for the mission
field has blossomed right here—a sense of camaraderie and closeness, and the
rewards of a shared struggle. Once
again, I have sisters in the fight (sisters because, as in Saipan, my fellow
colleagues are entirely women; for those that assume such fellowship belongs
only to men, I can attest that a man can find solidarity among sisters as well
as brothers). We’ve talked about it
some, and we all sense this new unity, though we can’t put our finger on exactly
what brought it about.
As I reflect I see a couple of things that might have brought
us together in a special way this school year.
First the enrollment at CAA has skyrocketed, and with the blessings come
the challenges of increase. And as the
challenges have increased, so has our individual and corporate sense of need for
the grace of God to meet these challenges.
We are all praying more, and sharing our struggles with one another and
lifting each other up in prayer. Lately,
morning staff worship has become a lifeline.
On the days that I miss worship, I always feel the weaker for it. For a little more or less than ten minutes we
have church in that circle. The spiritual
insights shared, the words of encouragement, the Spirit-soaked prayers, and
just that sense that we’re not alone, that we’re in this with each other and
with God serves as a morning pick-me better than any cup of coffee and fuel
that keeps me going throughout the day.
Despites the recalcitrant students and the jam-packed schedule these
moments of morning watch together remind me that God is on the move in our
school, moving in us and through us to reach our students with His love.
Another thing that has bound us together this year is our
decision to start gathering on a regular basis outside of the school
setting. On the first Sabbath of each
month we gather with our families at one of our homes for Sabbath lunch and an
afternoon of relaxed conversation and time together. Sure, we end up talking about the school 90%
of the time, but it’s an agenda free gathering marked by lots of laughter and
absence of workweek pressure. We’ve only
had two such get-togethers so far (we’ll be hosting the December gathering),
but they’ve become a highlight of the month for me already.
It’s a nice feeling to once again
be in the company of sisters; to sense that someone has your back. I know that I can depend on my sisters to let
one of my students sit in her classroom when a kid needs to not be in my room
for a while. I can count on them for a
wise word of counsel and an “I’ll pray for you” that I know is not merely a
courteous expression but a promise that whatever burden I bear she’ll help me
carry before the Lord. I know that they
will be patient and flexible, always willing to make changes to accommodate the
crazy classroom contingencies that are forever popping up. I know that they’ll understand what I’m
dealing with, what I’m rejoicing in, what I’m anxious about, because they are
going through the same things I am.
This week when I jump back into
the fray come Monday morning, I know I won’t be going into battle alone. I’ll have Ms. Minisee, Mrs. Gray, Ms. Thomas,
Mrs. Lavlas, Mrs. Lee, and our big-hearted, passionate leader Mrs. Arthurs
right there in the thick of things with me.
In the heat of the struggle to liberate my students, to help them live, learn,
love and grow, I know my band of sisters will be right by my side.
“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one
another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving
the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer. . .
.Bear one another’s burdens and thus fulfill the Law of Christ. . .Therefore encourage
one another, and build up one another, just as you are also doing.”
----
Romans 12: 10-12, Galatians 6:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:11.
3 comments:
Sean! For some reason I decided to blog & check everyone's blog today and I was honored to see a post about Saipan that I can relate to. I mean, the post isn't about Saipan, but the first paragraph about working, living, playing, and worshiping together, with the newbie teachers (me!) I could relate to. That year had such a huge and positive impact on my life & you are a part of it! You, Barbara, & all the teachers are like my Saipan family, hope you guys know that even though I haven't been good at keeping in touch with you all, you're still on my mind! Miss you!
Sean, you're so handsome :)
Your sister,
Dawn-ella
I'm glad you've found a place you fit in to with a team that you can work in the trenches with! It makes me sad to think we're all not in Saipan anymore, but it's amazing to see where life takes us and how God has a hand in all of it!
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