K walked into English class on a Saturday morning and sat in the back row. She started coming to our school a couple of years ago along with her younger brother. She is a shy girl who is always very respectful. She is beautiful and introverted. I have never really seen her smile much, but I assumed it was due to her shyness. (Or perhaps she just didn’t like my personality! Shocker!)
During an English class, I asked, “K, are you happy?”
She replied, “No!”
The response took me by surprise. Most of the time, people are not quite so blunt about being unhappy. K would not explain why she felt that way.
For four months, I tried to build trust with K. I joked with her. I tried to talk with her. Nothing. She was difficult to reach.
Did I mention that English class is on Saturdays? The day I have designated to spend time focused only on my daughters. The day to lounge around the house and unwind from the previous week. Oh, how I have grumbled and complained about English class being on Saturdays. However, it is the best option for some of our students, so I teach it every week.
This past Saturday, I saw K walking to English class. I enthusiastically yelled, “Good morning, Happy K!” She smiled slightly. Nothing out of the ordinary.
As we walked closer to the classroom, she said, “I need to talk with you.”
I could see the urgency in her eyes and her need for a private conversation.
She talked.
For the first time, she actually talked to me.
She shared her heart. I watched her eyes fill with tears. I listened to her voice quiver. Then I assured her that I would try to help. She can trust us. We love her, and we want the best for her.
The Saturdays that I viewed as an inconvenience, God was using to build a relationship. Showing up every week. Trying to talk without any response. Over and over again. But finally, the wall started to break. Maybe only a little, but it is coming down.
Discipleship takes time. Relationships take time.
But they are worth it—even on Saturday mornings.
Shining Light Abroad Ministries 