The Olympics are news – relays, races, completion. Here in
Beijing we’re in a different kind of race, but this week is the last lap. There
are only four days left of classes, then closing exercises, debrief for the
team, final day at church, and in just a week, most of the team will board
planes for their home countries.
The time will come to pass the baton back to the learners.
That baton is both English learning, and the spiritual discussions that have
been taking place. But like Hebrews 12, they will not run unobserved. It is
fascinating how many keep in touch with their foreign teacher.
Standing in line today, waiting to go into church, we
chatted with a man – there with wife and son – who had one of our teachers 12
years ago and still comes to visit her each summer. The young woman beside us
was in the program 2005-2009, and she says, “I just keep coming back.” Today
she came bearing gifts for us, and we in turn gave her a new bi-lingual NT with
the latest Chinese translation. Two young men from last year came to services
with us. And earlier in the weekend it was dinner for three of us with our
teaching assistant from last year who has changed from a caustic, abrasive,
fatherless young woman to an almost gracious person. Somehow these friendships
have softened her so much in just a year. She is nowhere near trusting in a
savior, but she’s far closer to understanding that God can be her father than
one year ago.
This week the lessons go deep into life. Love, marriage,
commitment, trust, forgiveness, Christmas, Thanksgiving, just to name a few.
The trust level is now there between learners and teachers and it’s time to up
the ante in terms of getting deep discussions in class.
But the weather is hot, the classwork is complicated, and
the team is tired. They need strength and endurance for this last lap of the
race, and that can only come from above.
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