This summer I had the privilege of teaching two young Chinese girls English for a month and exposing them to Christian family life and various aspects of American culture. Both girls returned to China with gifts of Bibles and Bible story books in their suitcases. The one immediately picked up with her lessons on SKYPE. We are slowly progressing into Genesis and are up to chapter 9. As she encounters problems in the lives of the biblical characters, in the world, and in her own life, she has repeatedly bemoaned, "Why, oh why did Adam and Eve have to eat the fruit?" Each time I have the opportunity to instruct her in the nature of man and our need for a Savior. Just today the other gal began with lessons on SKYPE. Early into our lesson, she interrupted our academic conversation to proudly inform me that she has now completed the first 22 chapters of Genesis!
There's so much to be gleaned from the Word of God: faith, hope, love, comfort, encouragement, history, heroes, positive and negative examples, conviction, correction, instructions in righteous living, in sexual morality, and in family unity, to name just a few of the treasures. And in our case, there's also English vocabulary, grammar, and usage, but most importantly, we can meet God himself in the pages of Scripture!
I was not seeking to teach English to anyone but the Hispanic ladies at the women's center where I counsel. God just dropped this opportunity into my lap with one girl and her mom for what I initially thought would be a 6 to 8 week commitment last Spring. Our growing friendship led to their asking me to hand pick host homes for the girls' visit this past July. I did have a choice, to say "Yes" or "No" to each opportunity. Want an exciting adventure? Say "Yes!" Find an immigrant, a refugee, or a visitor to the USA who has never ever heard or read the Bible before! Be their friend and get a window into the culture of another land. Read the Bible together to help them with their English, and see its treasures afresh through their eyes.
How long will I continue to tutor? I don't know. "Where He leads me, I will follow!" A third student also began today, and a fourth is now interested. How to fit it in? In my case, I get up early, before the work day begins, or sometimes stay up late since China is 12 hours ahead of USA Eastern Standard time. If you knew there were real treasure to be found and you could impact some one's life for eternity, wouldn't you do the same?
