The weeks go by so fast! This is a picture taken of me with one of my students (Grace) during International Week. Each grade level studied a different continent. Kindergarten was learning about Australia and New Zealand. We learned about all the animals in those countries, heard the sounds of the kookaburra, painted boomerangs, and participated in many more fun activities. On International Sports day, the kids got to rotate from place to place in the playground area, playing games from all the continents! The last day we had our International Parade – where everyone dressed up in a traditional costume from their native country!! Then at chapel each grade level performed a folktale from a country in their continent. Our folktale was “How the Kangaroo got its pouch.”
10-minute interview
Are the children you teach missionary kids (MKs), and if so, what kinds of things are the parents doing? Are they boarding students or do their parents live in Manila?
Yes, several of the children I teach are MKs. Several of the Koreans are pastors/associate pastors at churches nearby who are working to bring relief to the poor rural areas of Manila. They are involved in
feeding programs (to bring physical relief) and also work to spread the gospel. One of the parents of a
student of mine has medical training that he shares with others to help the poor in Manila. These missionaries are hoping to encourage church growth in the Philippines and their vision is for the Philippines
to become a great sending nation of missionaries. Another couple is the SIL (another name for Wycliffe) field directors in the Philippines. None of the students in middle school or below are boarding students – only the high school allows boarding.
Are you involved in any other ministries in Manila at this time?
Actually, I’m in the process of looking for another ministry to be involved in (besides teaching). I would like something that would not take me away from my teaching duties, somewhere that God could use my abilities, and somewhere I am needed. There are so many options it can be overwhelming, but I am looking for the best. I would appreciate your prayer in this. I don’t have a car, so I would need to be involved in a ministry nearby or with someone else who has a car.
What is the most important thing you have learned since leaving the US – how has your perception about world missions changed, or has it?
I have been realizing that there is a bigger world ministry out there. I can see how world missions requires a LOT of missionaries and a lot of work behind what we see on the surface. There are a LOT of workers here, but much work to be done. I have also been seeing how Korea has quickly become the second-largest missionary sending nation and the number of missionaries from Korea is still quickly growing. Koreans have flocked to the Philippines because it’s a cheaper country to live in which they can
learn English.
How can we be praying for you?
- Classroom management, especially in regards to the Korean boys I have. Korean parents usually wait till children are school age and then allow the teachers to teach them how to behave and to discipline them. I’m also trying to teach them the skills of sharing and not competing so hard for first place that they injure others.
- Continual health and safety!!
- Praise – parent-teacher conferences went very well!!
- Praise – I now have Vonage (long distance calling via the internet) in my condo!!! God has provided the funds ($27/month) and I think I have money in my budget for the $20/month for internet service. This will enable me to better communicate with everyone at home!!
Thanks so much for your continual prayers and support!! It is much needed and is helping to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ into all the world!
God bless,
Betsy (1 Timothy 1:15-16)
