But then today came, Christmas eve. . . 3 days ago I was asked if I would be willing to go to a Chinese school and lead some students in Christmas games. I was hesitant to say yes, if you live in China you know that your constantly asked to do things like this. As soon as you say yes to one then they think that you can ALWAYS come or you can go to antoehr place, a one hour thing turns out to be 3-4 hours. Okay so that is why I was hesitant. However, I said "YES".
I didn't know what I was getting into, where I was going, how many students, their english level, etc. Even as I left my house today I was just like "okay I"m just going to do another thing"... When I first got there I still didn't know where I was, what I was doing, etc. I had to call my friend to come and get me. When I was waiting outside the apartment complex (bigger than my university) an old man with no teeth was trying to talk to me... Now I can understand some chinese but understanding an old man with no-teeth is difficult. Anywho, my friend came and we were walking through the complex, I began to realize that these people had never seen a foreigner before, she describe this complex similar to a Village. As we were walking I was waiting to come upon some bigger building which would be where we were going to share about Christmas. Nope, just in an apartment! I walked in and actually I think i might of scared some of the children, haha! My heart broke as I walked into an apartment, smaller than mine, filled with 30+ students. See this isn't just a school, actually its a tutoring place where some of the students are really poor and they don't do well in school so these people who run this place charge them what ever their family can afford, about 10RMB (less than 2 dollars) for tutoring in English, Math, and Chinese.
They were soo amazed that a forienger had come into their school. They were so shy and at they same time they were so interested in what I looked like, how i sounded, what I was wearing, etc. At that moment I heard God saying
"See Karen, I have great things in store for you, Christmas isn't about YOU. Yes Christmas is about GIFTS, the greatest... You are so privileged to be able to share that with these kids. Love them as I love you, look at them as I SEE YOU, pray for them"
So the morning went on!! We played some games like Pin the star on the tree, Santa Beard game (hilarious, look at the pics:-), and pass the present. There wasn't time to let EACH student go so I would pull their names out of a stocking I had brought with me. Every time I would pull a name I would look out and see the kids staring at me hoping I would call their name. The simply smiles and laughs that they had were so bright they could light up the whole house which by the way had minimal lighting and heating. I brought a couple prizes and gifts for the winners of each game they were so filled with joy.
Then the best part came... I got to share with them about my CHRISTMAS traditions... Thanks mom and dad for being parents who every year read the REAL CHRISTMAS story you have given me so many opportunities to share HIS love with so many people. I can't just openly talk about the good news but because it was a tradition in my house I was able to read from this great book the REAL story of CHRISTmas about when CHRIST was born. Isn't that awesome. The kids were so silent as they listened. Did they understand every single word? Probably not, but they heard it, and I believe God was there and is there!
After the Christmas story I let them ask some questions about anything, a way for them to practice their english.. A funny question was "MS Teacher, how old are you?" I said How old do you think I am.??.. the student responded "18?" haha :-) Before I left I asked if they would like to take a picture with me, and within 5 seconds the kids had almost trampled over me, they wanted to be so close to me and take a picture. haha
As my friend and one of the teachers were walking me to the bus stop they were saying things like "YEah some of the kids have really never seen a foreigner", "I've never seen them smile so much", and "The kids love you"... As I listened to them I thought
"How could I of missed this opportunity, who cares if I thought I was busy? God doesn't care about the business of life he doesn't fill our adgendas so that we can becoming crazy people. God wants us to share the news of his LOVE to all people"
I know this blog is pretty long now and if you have made it to this place CONGRATS! ! ! However, now I want to challenge you... Don't make Christmas about YOU, don't even make it about the business in your life (Kettles, gift giving, traveling) Remember its about HIM... SHARE the real news of Christ with WHO EVER you come in contact with. Don't hesitate to be used by GOD. Allow him to lead you and to share the greatest gift ever given.
