Ironic isn’t it? I skipped writing so I could encourage others to write. For one whole day, I abstained from writing, with no time to even go near my computer.
Elena, a dear friend and the wife of one of our former beloved pastors, invited me to speak on writing and storytelling for children in a workshop for Christian Education Directors*. The venue was at a church in the boondocks (the term used by our family driver), Quezon City. It’s a one-hour drive from our home. But with “the horrible traffic,” he said, our travel could take two to three hours.
Properly warned, I woke up early and off we went!
There were about 50 people, from all parts of the country, inside the church.
They were an enthusiastic, vocal, and active participants. They shared their thoughts and listened intently to the writing tips. I didn’t have to encourage them to write and tell stories to children. That’s what they do, with passion!
All they needed was a slight push from someone who nags to keep the writing fervor aflame (it was a good time to give away my book, The Teacher in Me, as prizes), so that, through them, the children in church will continually learn about the greatest Teacher's ways.
The hours given the workshop was “bitin,” (too short), according to some attendees. For me, that was an excellent evaluation of the event. It is how I define learning—unquenchable thirst. It reminds me of what I always stress in classrooms. “Never stop improving your written work. There is always that 5% missing to move it from good to great.”
Working with fellow workers in the Lord’s service cannot be measured in terms of joy. It is bottomless grace.
 | ||
Elena, her husband PastorPastor Joel, and moi
|
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16 ESV
It was my day of non-writing but just as fulfilling, if not more!
*A Christian education director (DCE) is a church leader who plans, oversees, and assesses educational activities for a church congregation.
Credits: All photos sent by Pastora Hope Carino. one of the drving forces of the event and the group
No comments:
Post a Comment