The heart of a servant

In class last week we talked about how Jesus served the disciples by washing their feet. Their dismay over this act was obvious. His response was, "Most assuredly I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him." We are called to service, regardless of what position we fill within the body of believers.

I saw a beautiful example of a servant leader this morning, as I met with the principal of Kootenai Valley Christian School. I met with her for an hour, talking about the possibility of teaching music classes there two days a week. She blew me away with the heart of servitude and sacrifice that she exhibits in all of her speech. She talked to me of the history of the school, the finances, the families and the education that is provided there. Walking into her office, I was reminded again of the humility that is required of a servant. Her office looks like it is the office of a social worker who works in the ghetto. There are no thrills, nothing attractive: battered metal desk, two very old, worn out chairs, books stacked on dented- in file cabinets. Everything looks as if it was found on the side of the road or purchased from a thrift store. Oh, to compare it to the school where I've worked for the last four and a half years; a school of privilege and wealth. In contrast, selflessness is exhibited everywhere you look in this school, from the principal and the teachers, to the parents in this economically challenged area. They all make many sacrifices so that these children can come to this little school, where there no extras. They can't afford teachers or materials for band, strings, art, computer, etc. and yet this tiny school is almost a year ahead of the public schools academically.

The school barely makes ends meet each year and refuses to operate in debt. If they have the money, they remain open and if they don't, they close. The principal told me multiple stories of how God had miraculously provided finances right as they were on the point of closing the school. It is now in its 13th consecutive year, with 120 students. I just sat there listening to this woman with a passion to give children a Christian education in a poor, deprived town. She looks at this as her mission field and keeps track of each child who graduates from here, keeping up with their lives and their walk with God. It was such a blessing to me to spend time talking with her and getting a different, fresh perspective on what the ministry of a Christian school can be when it's not looked at as an industry, but as a mission field.

And.....I'm super excited that starting next week, I will be teaching general music classes two afternoons a week to the 1st through 8th grade classes! This will be a good challenge for me, because I have no budget, no resources at the school and none of my own materials here. I'll be spending the rest of this week figuring out some basic lesson plans for the different age groups. I am just so incredibly blessed that God has brought this opportunity to me and that I'll be able to share my love of music in this school for the next four months. God is so good!