This semester, I have had the privilege of
being a co-facilitator for the Beginner Conversation class at BEACON, the adult
literacy program. At times, it can be
challenging. Imaging having a
conversation with a group of students, many of who known very few words of
English. After all, my students are at
the foundation level. But, it is my favorite class. I am biased of course!
Just
a few days ago, I have been granted the biggest compliment. “Christina, would
you mind being my teacher forever”, one of the brightest of my students
said. Others echoed him. This was toward the end of class, after I had
shared with them my own experience as an immigrant; coming to a country where I
did not known anybody, I did not even understand the language, and I left all
that was familiar to me behind… Although
I spoke in English, they understood.
As
I reflect upon that day, I came to understand that as human, we want to be
understood. We deeply crave for someone
to understand our pain, our burden, our memories and to say “I know, I have
been there, I understand what you are going through”…
As
Christians, we have been thought to love our neighbors as ourselves. We feel responsible to care for those who are
less fortunate, “the needy.” Yet, I find that we often distance ourselves from
those we are helping. We rarely share
ourselves with those we are caring for.
I
could not promise my students that I will remain their teacher for the rest of
their time at BEACON. However, for the
duration of my time with them, I hope to form true relationship. I know that my time with them will shape and
transform my life as I am continuing to learn more from them. And I hope that they will know that I honor
and respect them for their courage, their perseverance, and their
strength.
Caring
for one another, helping each other reach their full potential should be more
than an idea or a responsibility. At the
end of my day, I often ask myself in what way did I see God today? Whether through my work at BEACON, the BARN,
or in community, I often see God through my relationship with others. Those that I encounter have blessed me. Now, my question is, in what ways do I want
others to see God in me?
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