I watch Phon’s mom apply foundation to the face of the next girl in line. “I like beauty,” she tells me, adding some blush to the cheeks and then surveying her work with an air of satisfaction. She is one of those parents who is always there to pick up her daughter when school gets out. If there were a PTA, she would no doubt be an active member of it. Now, she has responded to Teacher Nok’s call for help in getting the first-grade girls ready to sing English songs for the municipal evaluation team.

Teacher Nok hands me a box of safety pins, and I begin pinning up party dresses that are too big for the tiny bodies. I wonder to myself where she got the dresses. I know that many of the girls’ parents cannot afford these kinds of extras. I have come to admire Teacher Nok’s ingenuity and vision. The challenge of teaching English to 30 rambunctious youngsters has stretched me in ways I didn’t know I could be stretched, and I have learned much from Nok as I have watched her provide a first-rate first-grade education.

“Twinkle, twinkle, little star . . .” Bam begins singing, and the others join in. Excitement is in the air as they twirl around. “Teacher! Teacher!” they call, pointing to their flying skirts. The boys run in and out of the classroom doing their very best to make nuisances of themselves. It is an effortless job for them.

I am surprised at the premature nostalgia tugging at my heart. As challenging as this work has been, I will miss them—all of them. I have looked into their eyes, read their reactions and observed the nuances of their behavior. I have often felt helpless, wishing I could make more of a difference. In prayer, I have taken them to Jesus, asking Him to bless them and to fulfill the purpose He has for their lives.

Teacher Nok and I line the girls up at the base of the stairs leading to the room where the dignitaries are having lunch. Several other student groups are going through their routines, which include traditional Thai dances, modern dances, gymnastics and drama. Phon’s mom takes a last-minute picture, and then we are on. This will be the last thing I do with my class. Next week they will have final exams.

We will keep in touch with Nok. Her son, Paul, enjoys spending time with Gabriel and Daniel. We will also continue to see some of the students at the evening market near our house. Many of them shop or work there with their parents. We are convinced that none of these relationships came about by accident, and we look forward to seeing God work in and through them for the advancement of His kingdom in Thailand.

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