Every Tuesday afternoon, Alyssa, Jess, Gugu, Phumlile, Swazie and I go to a high school called Phumelele to teach Cherish, the purity program that I have described in other posts. Once before, we have arrived at the school and were not able to teach because most of our girls were not present. Why, you ask? The students were sent home because they had not paid their school fees. It actually seems to be a regular occurance, since this Tuesday it happened once again. Only two girls from my group of about 8 girls showed up to class, and informed us that most of the students were sent home. I could have guessed; the schoolyard was so quiet. . .except for some distant singing.
After hearing the news, we tried to decide what we should do... teach the few girls that were there or wait until next week to teach when all the others showed up. The two girls in my group asked me if I wanted to go to church with them during the hour we were supposed to teach. Church?! In the middle of the day at at school? I hastily agreed.
The singing I heard from earlier turned out to be many students voices emanating from the church service. So we went inside--a small classroom filled with students only. I was taken by complete surprise. Not only was there a church service during the lunch hour at the school, but it was led COMPLETELY by students! What an awesome experience. I really had no idea what was going on most of the time (the service was in SiSwati, the language of Swaziland), but it was such a blessing to see students praising God and looking to serve him during the time they could be eating lunch!
It's amazing how God seems to bless me when I am frustrated or upset. I was ready to get right back in the car and go back to the office and go home. But the Lord usually has something else up his sleeve. It's crazy if you think about it, his work is found in the places where you would least expect it. I am reminded of a quote by Mother Theresa that says "I can do no great things, only small things with great love." The students at Phumelele weren't a large mega-church, and they didn't march around forming a rally, they simply chose to love their God when it was possible, in a small classroom, even if the teachers didn't join them. They were doing a small thing, with great love for their God. They have no idea how big this "small thing" impacted me, and I will continue to remember this when I am thinking of giving up out of frustration. THAT was the body of Christ in action, and his body blessed me more than I expected or deserved.
