The final leg of this two week journey is Hanoi. Here I visited with the leadership of Concordia Interantional School Hanoi (CISH). It’s always a joy to visit here as the staff is truly world-class, serving Christ by witnessing to the love of Christ through their care and teaching of their students. While there are strict rules that govern what they can say, who they have been created and redeemed to be shines through as they interact with students both formally and informally. It’s truly an incredible place.
In addition to talking with school leadership, I make myself available for pastoral counseling sessions. Of course, only coming a couple of times a semester at most means I’m still largely an unknown entity to much of the staff. I’ve had a few good conversations over the last year but it takes time to build relationships, as well as availability. I learn a bit more each time I visit about the best ways to do this.
For instance, during an informal conversation one of the teachers shared that she doesn’t sign up to come and talk with me because she only has a very limited amount of time to herself each day between classes (about 40 minutes for lunch!). Understandably she needs that time for a breather rather than an in-depth conversation. Good insight as to how to make myself more available in the future.
Please keep the staff and students of CISH in prayer. Some of these teachers have lived overseas a long time and in various situations. Others are new and struggling to adjust. They have a wonderful opportunity to share the love of Christ with their students, but it comes at the cost of being separated from friends and family in the States (or wherever else they might be from). Pray for their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health as they carry out their vocation!
The Nelson Family Indonesia 