There are four things that I’m exceptionally passionate about: literature, the Bible, my students, and Jesus. I light up when I get to talk about them. Conversely, I’m visibly disheartened by the idea of swimming, the Bronte sisters, spiders, and traveling. That made the prospect of last Tuesday both wonderful and dreadful. Wonderful because I was headed back to Germany that much closer to returning to my incredible job where I get to talk about literature, the Bible and Jesus all day to my students; dreadful because it meant over twenty-four hours of travel from start to finish.
I got up early Tuesday and walked out that special red door for the last time, again intentionally making the decision to stay woke, to follow Jesus, no turning back. After my mom drove me down the familiar route of 26 and I84 east, I braced myself as I wheeled up to the check-in for my long journey beginning at PDX. The woman at the counter made my day as she checked me in and promised to meet me at the gate and help me get my bags on the plane. She more than made up for the fact that I wasn’t on the old PDX carpet. The first leg was only to Dallas, and my dislike of airports was only increased by the extra stop before I landed across the Atlantic. Fortunately, my connecting flight was in the same terminal, and I had the perfect amount of time before I boarded my long transatlantic flight to London-Heathrow airport.
I can’t stress enough how much I really hate airports. However, God had the best gift in store for me when I landed in Heathrow. The airport staff helps disabled passengers make their way from gate to gate, and I was paused briefly waiting with an attendant and another disabled traveller when I looked up at the able bodied passengers coming down an escalator to make their way along the same hallway I would soon be headed. I immediately brightened when I saw one of my former students at the head of the line.
We saw each other at the same time, and he came right over to me when he walked off the escalator to give me a hug. Unfortunately, he won’t be returning to BFA this year; he told me he’s going to a similar school in Senegal. I’ve told lots of my friends about this particular kid because he’s had a special impact on me. This is the kind of kid I am most passionate about: he’s asking questions.
We had to part ways when we hit another escalator and I needed to take the lift, but I saw him again as he passed the disabled waiting area a second time. I stopped him and told him not to stop asking good questions. His mom passed by after, and I had the privilege of telling her that I’ve been praying with her for her son, and that I’ve asked many people close to me to do the same. Our God can handle the questions. I never want this kid to stop asking. I fought for my answers, and I want every student of mine to do the same. I told his mom I’ll never stop praying for him.
That’s one of the incredible things about being a teacher – this kid will forever be one of my kids. This past month, I had the joy of reuniting with several of my own teachers who have continued to pray for me as I adventure through life. Above, you’ll see a picture of me with my high school English teacher -one of the most influential people in my life – as well as my first grade teacher who is still connected to my story. Every teacher I had in between these two (and after into college) left a profound influence on my life, and I recognize that I have that privilege now with the students who come through my class.
Well, even some who didn’t come into my class. The other picture of me is with one of my first students who I never taught in a classroom setting. Tori was one of the first youth group students I had the joy to work with. This girl has grown into an amazing woman of God, and I am honored to call her friend though she will also forever be one of my “kids” (even though she’s going to graduate college this year).
I love my job so much, and the transatlantic travels are worth it to teach them. This horrific accident is so worth it for the conversations I get to have about Jesus. During my trip to America, I got to talk to people about Jesus and reflect on the conversations I’ve had in Germany about my relationship with him that were only possible because of my accident. I wouldn’t trade my life for any other. I’m so very happy to be back in Germany and getting ready for the coming year where I have the greatest gift of teaching 37 of the 45 students I lost when I had my accident. I’m crushed I’ll not have the chance to teach those precious 8 who have left BFA, but I’m so very grateful for the chance for emotional closure in teaching this very special group of kids again and finishing a class with them.
