Encouraging Moments at the Community Centre

Sometimes you’re encouraged, sometimes you’re discouraged. But there are some interesting things happening at the new community centre, so I thought I’d share a little encouraging news.

Some of the classes have been well attended – some not. This Tuesday my keyboard class was one of the not-well-attended ones, and I thought I’d be packing up early because there were no students.

Then a few junior high boys stopped by. One of them asked me if playing the keyboard was anything like playing the melodica.

I didn’t even know what that was – and in case you don’t, here’s a picture.

That’s a melodica in the case. You take it out, attach the mouthpiece and blow through the tube, and then play the keyboard. It’s a “free reed” instrument, similar to an accordion. It’s light-weight and small.

And it’s used in the schools here for music education! Which means there are hundreds of junior highers who are already becoming familiar with the keyboard.

So this guy came back and showed me his melodica. And I asked if he wanted to take a keyboard class. And he did.

Because he was already familiar with the keyboard concept, I taught him some chords – 96 chords in all. And it was a blast to see his eyes light up as he realized how many chords he had learned in only a few minutes. And I flipped through a music book and showed him – “Look, now you know all the chords for this song. And this song. And this song. And…”

I guess I gotta get me a melodica to add to my class.

Shari has been handing out cookies – a “demonstration” of her upcoming baking class. Well, the class was today, and four women came! A great improvement from zero last time.

And Shari too was reminded of the joys of teaching something new. When you’ve never baked before, and you realize that yes, you can bake cookies – WOW! 😉

So Shari really enjoyed her time at the class today. Teresa helped out too, but escaped from the camera lens.

Speaking of Teresa, she apparently had a good time in her English class today. Shari said that the students seem to really like her. Teresa is getting a lot of English teaching in, and she’s making friends and connections which I’m sure will yield fruit in the future!

And activities continue with Tina, and Rod and Mayra Fry as well. Lots going on!

Yes, there has been plenty to be discouraged about. But God is working, and it’s gracious of Him to give us some encouragement along the way.

Reminds me of the verses we memorized in Sunday School a while ago. We were talking about how the Spirit is Someone who goes with us on the journey, encouraging and exhorting us.

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. (Philipians 2:1-2)