This weekend I was invited to a celebration. A graduation, no less, for the Concordia Special Needs School in Macau. This school was founded years ago by LCMS workers in Macau as the only school devoted to children with a wide range of physical and mental challenges. While there are other such schools now, we blazed a trail here.
And as often happens with LCMS educational institutions, the trail blazed is a bright one. So bright, in fact, that even though the school is Christian and teaches the Bible and other things, it is fully funded by the Chinese government. These children have the opportunity to learn about the love of God as they learn how to function in society to the best of their potential.
The celebration was fun to see. Not much of my work has been with younger children – I’ve spent most of my life working with university students and adults. And while all have enthusiasm, there’s something particularly charming and bright about the enthusiasm of young children basking in the glow of supportive teachers and parents.
Afterwards the entire school staff went to a celebratory lunch to congratulate them for their hard work. It was an amazing multi-course meal including duck, chicken, fish, rice (of course!), soup, and dessert. And I think there were seven or so other options I’ve already forgotten in my food coma!
My thanks to Rev. Tom Dunseth, who sits on the board for the school as well as LCMS Board of International Missions, as well as to David Bush, both of whom spent time in Hong Kong and Macau working with the school as well as a deaf ministry. It was great to see the foundations laid are still supporting good work in Macau!
The Nelson Family Indonesia 