The Top 7 Things a Teacher Can't Live Without

David (grade 12 last year) and his new group of students in Mondulkiri Province.

Over the last year and month or two, I've discovered some things that teachers (especially those in the mission field) must have in order to be successful, or at least to survive in a crisis. I'll share some with you...

Whiteboard marker. Even if you have nothing else in your hands, this is an essential. Whether you are following the textbook or teaching from off the top of your head, the kids will listen so much better if you can write things out (simply) for them to see. You can play word games with them, or review for an upcoming test. It's definitely a must-have.

Clock. Pretty much anyone needs this, but it's for sure on the teacher's list. Maybe the grade in charge of ringing the bell forgot to do it, or you need to determine how much more time you have to talk or do work. If you don't have your own, make sure at least one of the kids has one so you can assign them the task of timekeeper.

Extra pens. Someone's bound to give the excuse that they can't do the assignment because they don't have a pen! This is easily remedied if you have a good supply at hand. You don't have to have a whole box, but just a few will be helpful.

Paper. It can be fresh paper, scratch paper, or the kids' notebooks, but paper is a necessity! Kids can work by themselves or in groups to write, draw pictures, or make a poster about one of the things you've been studying about. Or - if the printer and copier are functioning properly - the kids can do a worksheet.

Flexibility. Without this, you'll crash. You could be asked to do anything at any given time. Maybe the science teacher has to be away for a week, so you need to teach a few periods of physics. Or the power's out during your two computer class periods. What to do? Be flexible and figure out a way to learn something and make it work!

Sleep. You can go without sleep for a little while, it is true. But sometimes you just need to put away the books at 8:30 or 9:00 and go to sleep even if you're not finished with everything you wanted to do for tomorrow. The next thing on my list will help you through this quandary (it has been proved). In order to stay cheerful during the day, you need to get enough rest at night.

Absolute reliance on God. Above anything and everything else, this is something a teacher can not live without for even an hour. All your plans will fail if you do not recognize your need of God, and trust Him to give you your lesson plans. I've experienced this firsthand for an entire year and He has proved faithful every day that I have trusted Him. Don't ever leave home without His presence! Don't let your classroom be without Him there!

Two of my boys from last year, at Angkor Wat. 

Sunrise at Wat Preah Yesu.

Photo credits: David, Ro, and Francis.

No keys

Friday I cleaned out my purse and switched to a different one for the summer. Sometimes it's nice to have a change and downsize a bit...

As I went through the collection of random objects in my regular purse and placed the actually-needed items into the other one, I realized that my key ring was kind of bulky and could be smaller to fit better into the purse. So I took off a couple of ornaments and unneeded keys. Then it hit me - the only key left on my key ring was to my car!

I never had the biggest key collection ever, but I had a bunch. A couple to the front door, one to the back door (which didn't actually work), one to the church, one for my office (plus the blue plastic thingy to turn off the alarm there), one to my parents' old house...

When I left YD, I returned most of my keys to their respective owners. House keys to Jessica, church key to Kezzia (since she needs it), office key to Tony. This diminished my supply, but I still had a couple left. The extra unneeded ones were taken care of later, and that's how I ended up with only my car key.

However, the plan is to sell my car, too, before I leave for Cambodia. When that happens I'll have no keys, except those I borrow on occasion to unlock the house or use the family cars.

It's an odd feeling; a bit unnerving. I never realized just how much keys are a security to me. They guarantee transportation, a roof to live under, a church family, a steady job. When you take those away, well, one realizes that no place is home, the world is a journey, God is their trust. There's not much room to just settle down. Life like this isn't average... it's quite an adventure!

Enjoying the journey...

Believe. Trust. Obey.

They didn't know who God was. If they did, they wouldn't have said it.

"Because the LORD hated us, He hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us."*

It's not even possible for God to hate; He only loves. So why did they even think this? Their interpretation was influenced by their unbelief, distrust, and fear.

They didn't believe the giants could be overcome. Because of this, they lost the promise.

Their error? They didn't believe. They didn't obey. They didn't trust the God who had led them so far already (as Moses reminded them).

They lost the promise, and as soon as they heard it, they were repentant. But God would no longer listen. He was among them no longer. He told them not to try to fight the giants, because His power wasn't with them.

They fought anyway. But the victory went to the Amorites, as God had already said. They didn't believe Him - again. (Just shows that they weren't really repentant the first time they said it)

God knows what He's talking about. He knows what is best. The task might look difficult, even life-threatening, but He knows.

Believe Him. Trust Him.

And not only that...

Obey Him (right away).

*Deuteronomy 1:27

Day Seven: T Blessings

T is a good letter. There are plenty of blessing-ful things that start with T. :-) So I shall list them . . .

Tea. Quite nice! I don't drink regular tea but herbal tea is nice. My most recent discovery is rooibos tea, a South African "red bush" tea that is quite tasty. I've already instructed Melissa to bring me back a couple of boxes when she goes over there in a week. :-) There's nothing cozier than a mugful of tea by a crackling fire, or while sitting on a couch with a good book!

Truth. In a class I took once (from Pastor Leroy Moore), I learned the definition of truth: Jesus. The only way to really understand truth is to look to Christ. Truth is what He thinks. Everything He thinks is truth. When He speaks, what He says materializes. God cannot lie! That is such a special thought to me. This means that every promise in the Bible is pure power. God is with me. He will protect me. He will change me. He can do (and will do) all He says He will. What a blessing indeed!

Trust. There's nothing like the knowledge that you are trusted. I have experienced that blessing this year, and I treasure it. Not that I'd intentionally do things that would betray the trust of my friends, but I have learned not to take it for granted. It is something to be guarded carefully, a blessing to hold safe.

Time. It's a blessing that it often seems like there's not enough of. It seems as though I'm constantly re-checking my priorities to make sure that it's not wasted. The time I am given is a gift, and it is needful to use it in the right way. I am thankful for the time I do have!

Thankfulness. Yes, thankfulness itself is something to be thankful for. :-) It gives peace and happiness to my heart. I have a running list on my iPod of those everyday things that bring me joy, and I love looking back at them and being reminded of the happy things in life!

Transformation. I can't change myself, so what a happy thing that God can transform me!

Technical support. As I sit here pattering away on my iPod, my friend Tony is working on my computer. I have a good knowledge of the software that runs on my computer, but the inner workings are a bit of a different story. So, at times like these, I'm thankful for willing friends who gladly fiddle with life before the welcome screen. :-)

Day Six: Meaningful Lyrics

Today's theme: lyrics that have meant something special to me this year.

I had a couple of top choices, and finally settled on this song. It is such a beautiful song, full of assurance and peace. I have played it again many times this year when wondering just what God was up to. He always reminds me that He is right there, and that no matter what happens, I can completely trust everything He does.

So many things in life change, but God never does. Never, ever.

Your Faithfulness
Brian Doerksen

I don't know what this day will bring
Will it be disappointing, filled with longed for things?
I don't know what tomorrow holds
Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness

I don't know if these clouds mean rain
If they do, will they pour down blessing or pain?
I don't know what the future holds
Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness

Certain as the rivers reach the sea
Certain as the sunrise in the east
I can rest in your faithfulness
Surer than a mother's tender love
Surer than the stars still shine above
I can rest in your faithfulness

I don't know how or when I'll die
Will it be a thief, or will I have a chance to say goodbye?
No, I don't know how much time is left
But in the end, I will know your faithfulness

When darkness overwhelms my soul
When thoughts and storms of doubt
Still I trust You are always faithful, always faithful

Certain as the rivers reach the sea
Certain as the sunrise in the east
I can rest in your faithfulness
Surer than a mother's tender love
Surer than the stars still shine above
I can rest in your faithfulness

I don't know what this day will bring
Will it be disappointing, filled with longed for things?
I don't know what tomorrow holds
Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness

Absolute willingness

This morning, I read Daniel 3: an amazing story of three young men who stood firm for what they believed in. 

There was no hesitancy on their part, in the decision to honor the one true God. 

They said in verse 16, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.” It wasn’t of question to them!

The part that really stuck out to me, though, was three points brought out in a verse I hadn’t noticed before. 

“Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in Him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.” 

They were willing to trust God with everything, even this issue. They were willing to even go against the command of an earthly king in order to keep God from being dishonored. And they were willing to give up their very bodies to be burned, all for this cause: 

The honor of God above absolutely anything else.

Those who would rather die than perform a wrong act are the only ones who will be found faithful.*

May we each have this same courage, decision, and integrity today.

*MYP 74