pastor where you are

Many many years ago I had a dream in which I heard the words, “The world is your parish.” Others have said the same thing to me.

Now I teach English as a second language to international students at the University of New Brunswick. Most of my students are Saudis. They are Arab Muslims. Men and women, most of them very young… 18 years old and up.

All of them have encountered racism in this city. They are beautiful people and it frustrates me that small-minded, mean-spirited people spew their blatant hatred on them. Many of my students are threatened on a daily basis. Recently one of my students. a young married Arab woman who wears a Hijab, was told she looked like a bug and that she should return to her country. She told me she finds strength from Allah to whom she prays every day. I encouraged her to continue her strong devotional life and build her courage to face the world and live in it with peace, joy and confidence. She thanks Allah.

Many of our students are traumatized by the move here, the different culture, diet, language, studies, religion, etc., never mind their homesickness and encounters with racism. Many don’t eat well and some have trouble sleeping. They are frequently sick from the stress. Recently one of my students fainted in class. We called 911 and got him to the hospital. I stayed with him all day to comfort him, help him relax, and to keep him company. Once he was feeling like himself again and his sense of humor returned, we had plenty of laughs. He told me the I.V. was making him more “intelligent”… a word I had just taught him. What a character!

When I walk through the halls of our school, I run into all many students I’ve previously taught. They are all happy to see me and I am overjoyed to see them. It is always such an uplifting experience for me to meet them again and see how they are doing. I sat with two students, one young Chinese woman and one young Saudi man, and laughed and laughed at their stories. I’m good at encouraging the students, instilling confidence in them, helping them embrace their mistakes as a part of the learning process, helping them overcome their fears and insecurities and feeling free to be themselves in a strange and sometimes hostile environment.

During my drive home this evening, I realized that I am still very much a pastor. I encourage people to walk their own spiritual path with courage. I  help people find their own voice and to use it with confidence. I assist people in discovering who they are and to live their own lives with boldness in spite of sometimes malicious opposition. I insist that these young people should never bow to pressure to conform or change or retreat and that they have every right to be self-confident and self-directing.

I do miss the teaching part. But I have this blog to teach what I can. I draw my cartoons and write my short posts. I answer emails every day from people. I think maybe some day I will start a weekly webinar. What do you think about that?

For now, I’m learning to pastor where I am. It feels good. It feels right.