Teacher's Tribute

The following is the speech I gave for the Teacher's Tribute at the 8th grade graduation in Yap.

It is SO good to see you! A few days ago, I was pretty scared we would miss this moment with you, but God is good, and gave us a different miracle than we expected—you waited for us! You guys are awesome! I just want to spend a few minutes to share why I think your class is awesome.

I met your class under really hard circumstances six years ago, but God allowed us to heal and grow together in a way that truly changed my life. I felt inadequate and unprepared stepping into that classroom, but God used you to be my biggest cheerleaders. On one particular day, when I wasn’t so sure I was cut out for this, I got a note on my desk. It said, “Jesus is with you, Teacher.” And that’s how I knew He really was. For several weeks after that, I noticed a trend—a little message added to the top of many homework papers and drawings that you turned in which said: “Jesus is with us!”

Class of 2016, this is what makes you awesome to your teachers. Yes, you are smart, you are gifted in so many ways—from math to music, science to sports; you care for each other and encourage your teachers; you make us laugh and maybe even cry sometimes, mostly in good ways. But all this adds up to one thing we’ve noticed about you: Jesus is with you.

We could tell because of your questions in worship and Bible class. It was obvious in the way you pray for your classmates, family and friends, your former teachers, and even for people you don’t know around the world. In 4^th grade, we knew because you sang so loud we could hear you all the way in the office. Jesus flows through the encouraging cards you’ve made for people, and in the speeches and skits you’ve given at chapels, and just your presence at the Kirsten Wolcott Memorial Day programs. We have seen Jesus in you even in the every day ways you work together, forgive each other, and respect your teachers.

You are awesome because you believe that Jesus is with you, and it is evident that He is. 

As a small way to recognize this and to encourage you in your journey with Him as you enter high school, some friends have collected funds and we are privileged to present each of you with a $50 Kirsten Wolcott Memorial Scholarship, to be used here at Yap SDA School.

So Credentis Dei—believers in God, the 16 graduates of 2016: Your teachers are proud of you. Thank you for teaching us more than you’ll ever know. We love you and we are always praying for you.