Elevating the gift of teaching

Teachers are like water pitchers.  They are constantly pouring themselves into the lives of others.  More often than not teachers are taken for granted.  When was the last time you gave conscious thought to the exhausting work of the one who teaches among you and encouraged that person? 

            At Agape, we have had numerous teams visit.  The focus with each team seemed to be the boys always.  Seldom was the focus on any member of staff.  If a staff member did receive a focus of attention, it was usually Lebaus and his street work.  Certainly we want visitors to get to know our boys and witness the transformation God is working in them.  But there are teachers in our midst as well, dedicated staff who work with the boys daily to share the Word with them, encourage and correct them, discipline and equip them.  With the arrival of the most recent team, we have given a priority to our teaching staff in our school.  For the past three days of August 5-7, six teachers from the US (four from California and two from Wisconsin) have conducted a teacher’s seminar for our 11 staff teachers.  Four different presentations were made each day on topics like: How do children learn, Starting the Day, Study Skills, Playing Games and learning, Classroom Management techniques, etc.  The team is lead by Diane Gallagher from Modesto, a kindergarten teacher who visited Agape last June with her husband, David Gallagher, District Governor of District 5220.  The other teachers are Carol Kennedy, Ryan (son-in-law of Diane G), June Toler and my mother Chrysta Schmelzer and my sister Eunice Washburn.  Just as Paul encouraged in I Corinthians, they each took their turn teaching our teachers, helping them to become better communicators, more disciplined teachers and more skilled.  But the real goal of this seminar was exactly what Paul mentions in I Corinthians 14:3 “strengthening, encouraging and comforting”  In other words, these pitchers were pouring themselves into the well from which our teachers draw their strength and encouragement.  We cannot thank them enough for their dedication, time and effort.

            And our teachers were most appreciative.  They didn’t stop thanking the visitors for this encouragement.  One teacher thanked them profusely saying, “I now feel empowered to love my students more.  You have strengthened me in this.”  Our head teacher, Johnstone Endekwa put the three days this way, “I think this has been the best team you have brought here, for with this team, you have not merely watered the leaves and assumed the tree has been nourished;  you have watered the roots of Agape in order to strengthen those who send water to the leaves.” 

Praise God for this team.  They are only days away from returning to the US after a few days of relaxing, enjoying the 11^th Anniversary Celebration of Agape this Sunday.  Then while Patty and I take my mom and sister to the Kakamega Rainforest, the other teachers will visit the farm.  May the good Lord keep them safe on the way and bless them for the good work of watering they have done over these past days

Dan Schmelzer