When was the last time you were really and truly new somewhere? New place, new people, new routines, new expectations, and even new food. This afternoon we have more than twenty new dorm students moving into the four dorms at Morrison Academy in Taichung. Some of these kids know five or six others coming from their same school, but they might not have really been friends with them before (even if they have chosen to be roommates now). A few of these kids won't know anyone and may even be brand new to Taiwan. Imagine. You are in high school, maybe ninth or tenth grade, and your parents bring you to a new country, a new school, and drop you off to live with 17 strangers (give or take a few). For some of us this seems normal because we grew up around it as TCKs, but if I really stop and think I'm struck by just how strange it is. It's hard enough for a stable adult to move to a new place for a new job, but at least we know a bit better how to cope in general, typically have our own space and homey things, have more ownership over the choice to move, and hopefully have been given tools for transition. These kids don't have much of any of that. Maybe their parents gave them a choice, but maybe not. Maybe they brought some touches of home, but they probably couldn't fit much into their luggage. Maybe they are with a mission that has taught them about transition or have parents who have raised them with healthy coping tools, but this is unlikely and quite rare. Maybe they are mature enough to handle the move easily, but they are still teenagers!!
So here I sit, six hours before the new students start to show up, and I'm struck by the sheer terror some of these students must be feeling. Others might be excited only to realize how difficult this move will be down the road. I'm not saying it's a bad move. I love our boarding program! I love the idea of kids living in community with others who are so different from them and learning how to compromise in that situation. I love the responsibility they learn. I'm excited for some of the really fun things they get to experience that most kids don't get at home with their biological families. I am eager to get to know them and watch God use all of these things and more to form them and draw them deeper into a relationship with himself. Boarding isn't for everyone, but since I was pretty little I've thought it was a good option for a lot of people. Not that all boarding programs are well done, but I truly believe that the system here at Morrison is one of excellence. I'm proud to be a part of it! How lucky I am to do something that has been on my heart from a young age in a place that does it so incredibly well and where I am surrounded by true professionals in this field who I learn from every day.
So here I sit. Thankful for the opportunity to do the best job on earth. Blessed by wise coworkers and a stellar boss. Praying fervently for new students and jumping-up-and-down excited to see the returning students tomorrow. I believe in what I do, but it takes a lot of prayer support and God-given wisdom on a daily basis (especially for someone as young and flawed as myself). I simply ask this of you: if you are reading this say a prayer.
Here are a few ideas:
-Pray for new students and all of their aspects of transition. Homesickness. Adjusting to a new school. Making friends. Living with a roommate and in a home with 15 other students and dorm parents.
-Pray for returning students. Homesickness as well. Welcoming the new students into their dorms. Potentially transitioning to a different dorm. Continuing to live well in community and modeling that to new students. Comfort as they adjust to last year's senior class being gone.
-Pray for all students. Academic success. Healthy and balanced lifestyles. Safety. Good relationships with their biological families as well as their dorm families. Ever increasing love of God and others.
-Pray for dorm staff. The ability to reach out to students and make them feel welcomed and loved. Wisdom in making tough (and even easy) decisions. Relationships with one another and their own biological children. Good conflict management skills. Necessary rest. Good health and safety. Hunger for the Word of God and relationship with God- this is what sustains. Sweet moments of community in what is often an isolating job.
Thank you for your prayers as we start another school year!
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