God speaks out of the mouths of children
By Amber Dueck
TeachBeyond, Thailand
As the principal of a Christian international school in Northern Thailand, I have the privilege of seeing firsthand how God uses education to transform lives. This year, I have been especially encouraged by what he has been doing in our kindergarten classroom. The stories may seem small, but they are powerful reminders that God is at work, often through the youngest among us.
We have several students who come from devout Buddhist families. One family has been part of our school for many years and has children in high school. Despite countless prayers and opportunities to share the gospel, their hearts have remained closed to conversations about faith.
In the fall, their oldest child gave her life to Christ. This was such an answer to prayer. Then, at Christmas, the kindergarten students were given a task to write a list of what gifts they would like to receive from their classmates. Their youngest daughter wrote on her wish list that she wanted a Bible. Wow! None of us was expecting this.
Amber Dueck is elementary school principal of Chiang Rai International Christian School in Thailand. Find out more about her ministry at www.emcmissions.ca/missionaries/amber-dueck. (Photo supplied)
In an effort to be respectful to the family, the teacher asked the parents if it would be okay to get a Bible for their child. To everyone’s amazement, they said yes. While it may seem unimportant, it felt significant to us who have been praying for this family for years. God was opening a door that had appeared closed. We continue to pray that their desire to know more about Jesus will have an impact on their family.
Another kindergarten student has also been making remarkable connections in class. He comes from a Buddhist background as well, and members of his extended family have been on our prayer lists for years. They have been resistant to hearing about God. However, this child has been making incredible connections about God’s love and power over the past few months.
One example happened during a social studies lesson about wants and needs. Students were asked to write down different wants and needs. This child chose to write “Jesus” of his own volition. He made a point of showing the teacher that this was something he had included in his life as a need. After months of hearing Bible stories, participating in chapel, and learning about God’s love, he had grasped a profound truth. Out of the mouths of children, God is speaking. Not only that, but we have seen a softening in some of his extended family members over the last year, and we are praying that they will see Christ through this student and decide to accept him.
Neither of these stories ends with a dramatic conversion. Yet both reveal the quiet, transformative work of God. He is planting seeds, opening hearts, and using children to point others to himself.
As we look ahead, we are filled with hope. Pray for these students and their families, that the seeds being planted today will grow into lasting faith. God is always at work, and sometimes he chooses the smallest voices to proclaim the greatest truths.
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