Sarah Pryor is a long term mission worker in Nepal where she teaches the children of other mission personnel. She recently wrote to us about helping children who are always on the move.
‘Dear Lord, please give us a good house in Germany and everything that we need. I pray that we will be happy with what you give us. In Jesus’ name, Amen’ (the daily prayer of one child in Surkhet PSC)
I have been teaching in Nepal for over 5 years and have welcomed and waved goodbye to many different children. However, in the small setting of the Surkhet Primary Study Centre, the imminent goodbyes to two of the three families leaving in the summer seem harder than before. Maybe we never get used to saying goodbye.
Transition is on our minds and in our discussion at school. ‘I’m so excited about going on holiday to Thailand before we go back to Germany. Mum and Dad think that we might be able to go back to our old school in Germany. Dad needs a job though and we don’t know where we are going to live’; ‘We are going to live in Vienna, but I don’t know anything about my new school’. Other children sit quietly and listen to the discussion around them. I am aware of the need for sensitivity and wisdom as I lead the class. Are there some practical ways I and the parents can help with transition?
So we talk about a few things.
Reconciliation There might be a need for forgiveness. Forgiveness is the key to reconciliation.
Affirmation Relationships are built and maintained through affirmation, so encourage the children to tell their friends how much they have appreciated the other’s friendship. Maybe write a note of thanks or give a gift that they can remember the giver by.
Farewells Saying goodbye to people, places, pets and possessions is important. It is important that the children visit and take photos to remind them of their life here.
Thinking destination It is likely the children, as well as adults will have unrealistic expectations of what the destination will be like. If these are discussed, it will be easier to settle in the new place.
I know that in their time here in Nepal, the children have had a wide variety of experiences that are not available to them in the west and the memories of some of these will stay with them and possibly play a part in shaping their characters. In Surkhet PSC they have learnt Maths, English, German and other subjects to prepare them for life and schools back ‘home’ but I also trust that they have learnt something of God’s love, care and provision for them.
Please remember Sarah, the children and other families around the world as they say goodbye and as they seek God for their future.