Christ. Alone.

    I've been taught the meaning of Easter as long as I've been able to understand.  I've heard it from the pulpit as long as I've been in a church. But not until this year has the true meaning of Easter been totally, shockingly real to me. Maybe it's that I feel my need acutely - maybe more than I ever have before. Maybe it's just that I had to see it for myself to really grasp it fully.

    That's why I love this song. I didn't learn this song until last week. And I've been singing it ever since. It makes my heart rejoice. And I want to live in that place of knowing that "no power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand. Till He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I'll stand."

In Christ alone my hope is found 
He is my light, my strength, my song 
This Cornerstone, this solid ground 
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm 
What heights of love, what depths of peace 
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease 
My Comforter, my All in All 
Here in the love of Christ I stand 

In Christ alone, who took on flesh 
Fullness of God in helpless babe 
This gift of love and righteousness 
Scorned by the ones He came to save 
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died 
The wrath of God was satisfied 
For every sin on Him was laid 
Here in the death of Christ I live 

There in the ground His body lay 
Light of the world by darkness slain 
Then bursting forth in glorious Day 
Up from the grave He rose again 
And as He stands in victory 
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me 
For I am His and He is mine 
Bought with the precious blood of Christ 

No guilt in life, no fear in death 
This is the power of Christ in me 
From life’s first cry to final breath 
Jesus commands my destiny 
No power of hell, no scheme of man 
Can ever pluck me from His hand 
‘til He returns or calls me home 
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

Crossing Cultures in my City...the life of a tutor

It was a Friday afternoon, and I was sitting in the living room of my Nepali friends. Indira was sitting next to me, fiercely concentrating on her spelling homework. Every few minutes she would point to a word, "What means?" I would explain the meaning, and she would be off again, painstakingly scribbling on the lines, erasing, writing again. 

I glanced over to Bimla. As usual she was fully engaged in her work: spelling out each letter, then shouting the full word aloud. Her pronunciation is distinctly Nepali.  She's totally oblivious to my presence. I have to smile - so diligent, she screws up her mouth, pushes her dark hair out of her face and grimaces with all the concentration of a nine-year-old. I ask her if she needs any help with her homework. She looks at me with a look that says, "Of course not. If I needed help I would ask, thank you." 

In between helping my students, I chat with their mom and aunt. I love spending time with them, but so often I just long to be able to tell them how much I appreciate their friendship, their love for me. But I can't. They don't understand me, and I struggle to understand them. I just hope that they can hear my heart even if the language barrier seems very great.

Spelling work completed, I attempted a new method of learning math facts. I pulled my laptop out of my backpack, and all three of the girls were delighted. Bimla scooted closer and started pushing keys, asking "Is laptop?" They were soon racing each other to answer all the addition facts. Success! I relinquished the laptop to Sadi, the oldest student, and all three girls crowded around, pushing, arguing, laughing, smiling. They were having the greatest time. And I was enjoying watching them have so much fun!

All too soon my time was finished and I had to move on. Another afternoon of tutoring. Two hours spent building relationships with my new friends. I can hardly get off the couch without all three of my students hugging me, shouting their goodbyes, clambering for my attention. "Next week, you come back? Yes?" I always assure them that I will come back. They don't know it, but I count the days till I can come back each week!

Relationships. Friendships. Simple things like a smile, sharing a laugh, reading a story, enjoying a cup of their tea ... yaks' milk and everything ... being willing to be lavished with their hospitality when I know they have so little. These 'simple' things build relationships that will affect eternal souls forever. Is it worth it? You tell me.