Students in Laos are so eager to learn, they meet at 4:00 in the morning to fit an English class into their day. Let's join them to see how a language school is touching people's lives.
It’s Too Early to Learn
[Shots of class outside at night under a light]
“I have seen a lot of blessings in this center. In the beginning, we didn’t have this three-classroom building yet. We were teaching in the house. We used our living room and kitchen as a classroom. More students kept coming, so we taught in the open outside of our house. So I think God has blessed us in many different areas.”
Since the humble days of teaching outside under this single light, the Adventist language center, located in northern Laos, has grown tremendously in just a few short years. When classes opened the first week, only 10 students showed up. The second week, word had spread throughout the community, and about 70 students came to learn English. They had to hold three consecutive classes each night to accommodate everyone.
Challenges such as lack of space; harsh weather, includinghail storms; and scheduling issues have made teaching difficult. Classes must be held in the evening or early in the morning. At one point, teachers even organized a class that met at 4 in the morning to ensure students would make it to their regular school on time.
As interest continued to grow by word of mouth, eventually, a three-classroom building was constructed. Dedicated teachers have formed strong connections with their students.
“We share love, we share care and kindness with them. They are surprised because they are treated differently than in other schools.”
“We have a very close relationship with the students. Our relationship is to care about them, about their learning. So we try our best to teach and care for them.”
Personal relationships open the door for something more than just formal education. For many of the students, the language center is the only place they will interact with Christian teachers.
“Our purpose is to help the people in the community. Those who struggle financially, they can’t go to expensive schools. Everyone in this community can come in, and when they come into our school, we can share God’s word, God’s love to them. That is our goal here. We want to teach them God’s love. We want them to become one of our family.”
“To know Jesus is happiness, and to introduce somebody to Jesus, I feel peace in my life.”
Teachers and students at the language center are praying to expand their facilities once again.
“More students keep coming to our school, so we have no space. We need a bigger space. We need a larger building so we will be able to contain the students.”
“If we could have more classrooms for the students, we can get more students to come. When students come, we can teach them about God.”
A new building would not only allow them to accommodate more students, but it would also create the space necessary to start a full-time school, beginning with kindergarten.
Your prayers and mission offerings have a direct impact on lives around the world. Please pray for teachers and students in language centers like this one in Laos. Thank you for supporting mission!
