[:en]
Read Part 2, where Judge Po relates her childhood experience.
Chinese
From my childhood to today, our Sunday School is still trying to preserve its conservative Chinese style of teaching Christ to little children. Little did I know that one day I myself would be one of the teachers and would continue to teach the “same old story of Jesus and His love.”
It was truly frustrating to listen to stories in a dialect I had difficulty in understanding, and more frustrating to teach in a dialect that your pupils or students have difficulty in understanding.
But I remember that after four months of choosing and trying to understand Chinese, something in my head just opened. I could understand what Sian Si was talking about but had difficulty in speaking the language.
I thank my Sian Si for not giving up on teaching what may seemed difficult. They helped me make the choice when I was too young to choose. They led me to what I am and now, I try to give back to their children and even grandchildren.
The Narrow Path
The path we choose are either narrow or broad. Our church through the Sunday School has taught me to choose the narrow path. This narrow path of ministering to the Chinese was what God impressed on our forefathers. This is the reason why our church was founded. We were then in a Filipino church but some things just won’t work.
Our ministry is so unique and yet sometimes misunderstood. In my opinion, the narrow path that Jesus talked about is not only the trials we encounter but the little challenges we face in our daily lives. Not to back out when the going is tough because we know that Jesus is riding (sakay) with us. He is the one we salute (Kilay) and report to every moment of every day of our lives.
We are not afraid because the great God will enable us. As my friend said, “Judge, God does not call on the qualified; He qualifies whom He called.”
So to all my dear Sunday School teachers and colleagues, keep up the good work. Never give up because Jesus is riding (sakay) with us. We will also get our big pencil, a trophy for a work well done and a life well lived. I salute you all with all my Kilay.
To all Sunday Schoolers, make yourself ready as we slowly pass on the torch to you. You too will have a chance to encounter a Sunday Schooler who will write about you one day…
This originally appeared as “My Sunday School Encounter” in Gospel Light vol. 20, December 2012. the author is the judge of the 8th Circuit, Municipal Circuit Trial Court and former Principal of the Sunday School at Cebu Gospel Church.
[:zh]
Read Part 2, where Judge Po relates her childhood experience.
Chinese
From my childhood to today, our Sunday School is still trying to preserve its conservative Chinese style of teaching Christ to little children. Little did I know that one day I myself would be one of the teachers and would continue to teach the “same old story of Jesus and His love.”
It was truly frustrating to listen to stories in a dialect I had difficulty in understanding, and more frustrating to teach in a dialect that your pupils or students have difficulty in understanding.
But I remember that after four months of choosing and trying to understand Chinese, something in my head just opened. I could understand what Sian Si was talking about but had difficulty in speaking the language.
I thank my Sian Si for not giving up on teaching what may seemed difficult. They helped me make the choice when I was too young to choose. They led me to what I am and now, I try to give back to their children and even grandchildren.
The Narrow Path
The path we choose are either narrow or broad. Our church through the Sunday School has taught me to choose the narrow path. This narrow path of ministering to the Chinese was what God impressed on our forefathers. This is the reason why our church was founded. We were then in a Filipino church but some things just won’t work.
Our ministry is so unique and yet sometimes misunderstood. In my opinion, the narrow path that Jesus talked about is not only the trials we encounter but the little challenges we face in our daily lives. Not to back out when the going is tough because we know that Jesus is riding (sakay) with us. He is the one we salute (Kilay) and report to every moment of every day of our lives.
We are not afraid because the great God will enable us. As my friend said, “Judge, God does not call on the qualified; He qualifies whom He called.”
So to all my dear Sunday School teachers and colleagues, keep up the good work. Never give up because Jesus is riding (sakay) with us. We will also get our big pencil, a trophy for a work well done and a life well lived. I salute you all with all my Kilay.
To all Sunday Schoolers, make yourself ready as we slowly pass on the torch to you. You too will have a chance to encounter a Sunday Schooler who will write about you one day…
This originally appeared as “My Sunday School Encounter” in Gospel Light vol. 20, December 2012. the author is the judge of the 8th Circuit, Municipal Circuit Trial Court and former Principal of the Sunday School at Cebu Gospel Church.
[:]