A big YES  (2002-04-29)

Last Wednesday, we went to the FDC volunteer appreciation dinner. Although some of you were not there, the big word of thanks goes out to you all, too.

Not only was there a big word of thanks, our dear teacher Jacque also described a big word of "yes" to the audience. Her speech encouraged me a lot. I hope it does the same to you. Here you go:

^^^^^^^
One of the challenges we have faced in teaching English to the Chinese inmates has been to get them to use the word, "no."  They want to always respond with "yes" even when they mean "no."  "Yes, I don't understand. Yes, I don't like cheese. Yes, I haven't brought my homework."  We have explained that in English, "No" is a very acceptable word and conveys the proper meaning better than "Yes, I don't, I haven't, or I dislike.  However, when it comes to being their teachers we find that we can say with the Apostle Paul in II Corn. 1:19...in Him (Jesus Christ) it has always been, "Yes."  For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ.

Will we teach every inmate to speak, read, and understand English perfectly?  "No" but with God's help we have seen so many "Yeses" in the last 1 ½ yr.

1. Have the teachers heard God's call to come and teach weekly and have they obeyed?  YES
2. Do the teachers prepare diligently and prayerfully? YES
3. Are the teachers professional and visionary?  YES
4. Have the inmates given us the teachers more joy and laughter than we could ever bring to them?  YES
5. Do the inmates see that we love them because Jesus loves them? YES
6. Do the teachers and inmates spur each other on to do more and better and do both work very hard?  YES
7. When I start to write a unit and have very few if any resources does God always provide so that when I am finished there is always more than enough games, pictures, stories, and songs? YES
8. Would we come if there were only 1 inmate to teach?  YES
9. Do we love what we do?  YES
10. Have we heard the call?  YES


BE THE ONE

In a world full of broken dreams where the truth is hard to find.
For every promise that is made, there are many left behind.
And tho it seems that nobody cares, it still matters what you do.
'Cause there's a difference you can make but the choice is up to you.
Will you be the one to answer to His call;
 and will you stand when those around you fall?
Will you be the one to take the light into a darkened world?
Tell me will you be the one?

YES!  We will be the ones to take His light into the darkened world.  YES! We will be the ones to answer God's call to teach English at FDC.  Thanks, Stephanie and Staff for allowing us this privilege to say "yes" in Christ.  "And so through Him "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God." II  Corn. 1:20

Peter