Going to a new school is difficult. Especially when you have been home-schooled your entire life. And even more especially when that new school is in a new country. And most especially when everyone in your new school speaks a language that you do not know. But that is what Ezra and Thea experienced this week as they started school here in Quebec.
The process of getting them into school took over a month as we met with immigration and administration from the school. We all wanted to get them into the class that would be the best fit for them. In the end, instead of placing them in the "Welcoming-Class" where most of the immigrants start to get acclimated, we all agreed on them beginning in the regular French speaking classrooms.
Tuesday was the big day! At 8:00 we left our apartment for the two mile ride to school. We arrived about 15 minutes early, parked the van on the road in front of the school, and prayed that God would remind them throughout the day of His presence and that He would make them courageous as they learned to trust Him in a new way.
Once inside Ez was quickly taken to his classroom while Thea was told that she had music class in the library. I sat with her until her class came. As we sat there holding hands in silence and anticipation her eyes started to fill with tears. I could not blame her as it was pretty scary for me too. At 8:30 her class came through the doors and began to point at her and say, "Tia Boid! Tia Boid!" They were expecting their new classmate. I winked at "Tia" and smiled and left her at her new school in a new country where they speak a new language. And all the way home and all through the day I prayed for her and her brother.
That was five days ago and at the end of the week both children gave their new school a "9 out of 10!" Ezra's teacher says that he is a "pearl" and she told him on his first day that it was the first, and last, day that she would speak English to him. Thea's teacher is easing her into French by allowing her to serve as his "secretary" while she gets used to the classroom and the new school. They both like their teachers and have already made new friends.
On Ezra's second day his teacher sent him to get something from his backpack. After looking for it in the boys locker in the hallway, and being unable to find it, he returned to tell his teacher that it was gone. She then, in French, dispatched another student who quickly retrieved it from the girls locker. With a smile she told Ez, "There is much to learn, isn't there?" Indeed there is.
On Wednesday Thea had English class and her fellow students were stunned at how quickly she finished her assignment. When they asked her about it she responded, "I can speak English...and write it too! Booyah!" Some things do not change no matter what country you happen to be in!
This week was a big deal for Ez and Thea. And it was a big deal for me as well. A big deal because I was reminded of how blessed I am to have some great kids that, when pressed to do so, can show amazing courage and strength. School is still not going to always be easy, but God is always going to be good. And I pray that God would use this time to teach them even more about His faithfulness and goodness and about the power of the presence of God with His people. There are no better lessons to learn at school than those.
Matt, You all do indeed have great kids. We are praying for you all, we love you and pray that God will continue to strengthen and encourage you all as He leads you on this journey where Christ is not known....yet.
ReplyDeleteTim Logan
We will continue to pray for Thea and Ezra as well. I'm sure that it is very frightening but it sounds like they have very kind and caring teachers. This reminds me of when I was teaching Kindergarten. Half of my class room spoke Spanish instead of English. However, those students picked up on the language much quicker than I ever could have. It was fun to watch the English and the Spanish kids play together. Kids are kids, no matter what language they speak.
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