Growing in love is expected of those who have experienced the grace of God in their life. The students of St Paul Methodist School (SPMS) have not been an exception, for the grace of God has abounded upon each of them in many ways, especially amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As love should be shown not only with words but with actions and in truth (1 John 3:18), the school embarked on SPMS L.O.V.E. Projects 2020, in the hope of growing the students in Leadership, Obedience, Vision and Excellence.
Growing in Leadership: Dignity Project
SPMSâ Dignity Project was conducted in partnership with Liman Hamutuk, a rehabilitation centre for the disabled started by a Brazilian missionary Pastor Branca. The project saw the students planning and running three days of activities for participants who are wheelchair-bound, with Downâs Syndrome, are mute or have other disabilities. Choosing suitable activities to involve these individuals required the students to be sensitive to their needs and abilities.
This is L.O.V.E.!
To LEAD is to serve the needs of people.
Growing in Obedience: Garden ProjectÂ
The Garden Project took the students to a farm about a 20-minute drive away from the school. Under the hot afternoon sun, the students were put to work on the farmland. For three days, they pulled out weeds, tilled the ground and planted kangkong seeds and dragon fruit seeds. The toughest job of all was erecting stone structures to grow the dragon fruit. Listening to and following the instructions of the four resident farmers in preparing the ground and not being able to enjoy the âfruitâ of their labour taught the students to persevere in obedience in doing good to others.
This is L.O.V.E.!
To OBEY is to do good to others without expecting any return.
Growing in Vision: Compassion Pack ProjectÂ
With donations from friends of SPMS, the school gave out 430 compassion packs of basic necessities, namely rice, oil, biscuits, milk, sugar, flour and noodles to needy families living in Hera (where SPMS is located) and in Lebutum (a mountain village in Metinaro). The students spent four days delivering the compassion packs to families identified by Pastor Branca as being in need of food security, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. As for the 20 families known to be very lonely due to lack of family support, the students not only delivered the packs but also spent time fellowshipping with them, praying for them and helping clean their homes. The visits to these families opened the studentsâ eyes to see what God sees and their hearts to feel what God feels.
This is L.O.V.E.!
To have VISION is have a heart of compassion for the world without vision.
Growing in Excellence: Kitchen ProjectÂ
An elderly couple living near the school has been cooking their meals in a dilapidated kitchen. They have no one to help and no means to have it repaired or rebuilt. Knowing about the coupleâs plight, the older students took up the challenge to bless the couple with a new kitchen. Under the supervision of a local builder, they built the kitchen from scratch, starting with the foundation and finishing with a zinc roof. Within three days, not only did they manage to build the kitchen, they also painted the house and fixed a broken door for the couple. The project taught the students to give their best, even if it is only for one couple, for they are doing it for God.
This is L.O.V.E.!
To be EXCELLENT is to give your best to the least and the last.
I covet your prayers for SPMS that by Godâs grace, every student will Grow in L.O.V.E. and, in so doing, they will be a purpose-driven generation, committed to loving God passionately and to loving people practically so as to make a difference in Timor-Leste and beyond.
Watch the video of SPMS L.O.V.E. Projects 2020 at https://tinyurl.com/SPMSloveprojectfinal.
David Chan is the MMS Country Director of Timor-Leste and the Principal of St Paul Methodist School (Timor-Leste). / Photos courtesy of David Chan