First day of teaching

I completed the first day of teaching 2 days ago, I enter the school with a mix of excitement and a sense of uncertainty.  It was exciting to begin since I had waited for this for a while, but feeling slightly uncertain as I wonder how the class would work out. Before going to the class, I asked the Lord to guide me, let the class be pleasing to Him.  The Lord led me to the verse from 2 Corinthians 12:9, which said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  I was also reminded of Psalm 27 that was read during staff meeting the day before, it spoke to me about trusting in the Lord and find confident in Him.  Overall, I definitely experience God’s grace and guidance throughout this process, it was a blessing when God put a special moment through a kid who said, “thank you for teaching me” after the first time teaching that class.

Perfect Timing

I was invited to have lunch with Tammi, one for the teacher from the primary campus last Wednesday.  This meal with delicious Chinese food was made from scratch (even the spring roll skin).  It came at the perfect timing as I was having some craving for some Asian taste.  It reminds me of God’s perfect gift and perfect timing, just like James 1:17 said, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

A picture of beautiful sunrise
It leads me to think about Psalm 136:4-8
⁴ to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
⁵ who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
⁶ who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
⁷ who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
⁸ the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.

God's faithful promise

Throughout this time of change and transition, the Scripture is encouraging and provide peace of God's faithful promise.  Isaiah 55:9-12 speaks to me and lift me up through time of challenges, such as adjusting to the drastically different environment. It is rainy season in PNG and the nature reminds me of this verse that shows me the faithfulness of God.
⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
¹⁰ As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
¹² You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.

Holy Spirit the Counselor

As a have begun travelling toward Papua New Guinea and moving toward this new chapter of life that God has instored for me, there is a sense of excitement, also a sense of uncertainty that makes me feel a little anxious.  I have times of missing the familiarity of Canada as I am so far away from home.  However, the promise of Holy Spirit as counselor and God's presence is comforting and encouraging.  I have been dwelling on God's word to find peace at this time of transition, especially from John 14:16-18 and Psalm 139:7-10. 

"¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be^[a] in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." -John 14:16-18

^"7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast."
-Psalm 139: 7-10

A Light in the Jungle

Below is a video called "A Light in the Jungle", which is about the life-changing influence that results from Bible Translation among Folopa.

http://player.vimeo.com/video/21180841?autoplay=1

The passion of the people to share God's word with others, along with their perseverance of both the translation processes and making a long hike to other villages is very encouraging.

The second video is about a teacher for missionary kids who shares her experience and how teaching fits into the big picture of Bible translations and literacy.

http://player.vimeo.com/video/32089655?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=ffffff&autoplay=1

Both of these video have been encouraging to me and inspires me.  I hope you enjoy these 2 video clips.

Psalm 119: 9-11

^"9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
¹⁰ I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you." -- Psalm 119:9-11

What are great reminder on the value of spending time in God's word and getting to know it with my heart!  I need His word to stay on the path of the Lord's way, the truth and the life.  Father, thank you for providing your word for guidance and true wisdom.  Teach me and lead me to follow your path, may your word be hidden in my hear and lead me to continuously seek you and to grow in you.

I find that this verse is also a powerful reminder of the importance of God's word in mother tongue.  May God's word touches every nation and bring people toward his kingdom.