– Evelyn T

Roti Queen is a café selling toast bread, ice cream and beverages. It opened a little more than a year ago. As we look back, we give praise and thanks to our Father who sustained us and has used this business to bring much joy and hope to its workers. For some who are young adults, working at Roti Queen has turned their lives around. Since most employers are not ready to hire individuals with special needs, these workers’ lives revolved around staying at home and watching TV programmes or playing hand phone games. Now, at Roti Queen, these outcast souls have found a hiding place. Imagine how elated they were to receive a pay check for the first time in their lives. Holding on to a job has given them a sense of joy and satisfaction.

As we enter the second year of business, we have a clear vision from our Father to set up a training centre for children and adults with autism. Bridging the gap for even more people with special needs, we hope our expertise and skill training will supplement what is currently being done in local schools. Our aim is not to ‘babysit’, but rather to equip people to enter the working world. In addition, local teachers can get the training they need to work with students in their classrooms who have special needs. We want each special needs student to be able to communicate with others and acquire essential life skills that will benefit them in the long run. Our hope is for them to find joy and fulfillment in their lives.

The training centre will be up and running in the very near future. We need many workers and volunteers to support this business. Both Roti Queen and the training centre need long-term workers. We also need volunteers who can serve short-term; we welcome current teachers in special needs schools, physiotherapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, music therapists and art therapists to help us. If you have expertise and a burden for people with special needs, we encourage you to response boldly to His calling. Serving in this ministry is indeed challenging with many surprises, both good and bad. However, the One who is trustworthy and faithful is constantly holding us in His loving hands. Join us and find joy as we learn and live together in His love.

– Cheng Geok L

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Roman 15:13)

Xiao Juzi joined our kindie class just before turning four. She spent her first lesson exploring the classroom, climbing on chairs, crawling under the table, dancing in front of the LCD projector; all with me in her wake trying to teach the lesson. When I said “Stand,” she’d sit; when I said “Sit,” she’d stand; when I said “Quiet,” she’d laugh out loud. . . With prayer, internet, trial and error, patience and love, Xiao Juzi and I now have a loving respect for each other. She sits in place (most of the time), participates (if she thinks I’m not looking), and generally behaves. Her mum has expressed how much she appreciates that we have boundaries in our class.

Running a learning centre has been the most challenging thing I’ve ever been led to do. After starting operations, it was an almost daily emotional roller coaster ride. I’ve wondered: Is this really God’s will? Why has he allowed such painful, difficult challenges? What difference can a learning centre make in his Kingdom?

Not a numbers person, I also asked myself practical questions. How am I going to run a business and develop curriculum as well as teach? How do we price and market services? How can I manage schedules and communicate with parents? How do I lead a team when I don’t know what I’m doing?

My experience is in teaching university English, whereas our centre’s students are age 4 to 17. Reading up about the different stages of cognitive and emotional development takes time; so does developing curriculum for and teaching seven different levels each week.

But thank God for the internet. Some of my recent searches: “How to handle oppositional 4 year olds?” “Classroom management ideas for 4/7/10 year olds” “How to motivate teens?” “Fun flashcard activities”. Who knew watching “Super Nanny” and “Dog Whisperer” would pay off?

As the fog of doubt and fear clears, and hope abounds, it’s the children and families that God has brought to the centre that give joy. When we focus equally on developing the children’s English skills, their behaviour and character, doors open to building relationships with their parents.

Another joy is the small team that God has brought together. Both Annie L and Daniel B (a one-year intern) have been an invaluable support and contributed in many different ways to bless the children and their families. We’re learning to work and grow together in him.

Despite the challenges, it’s our hope in the risen Lord that abounds. The same power that raised him from the dead is working through his Spirit in us to accomplish his will. Is it his will that the centre grows and flourishes? He holds that answer. What I do know is that it is his will for us to follow obediently and be transformed into his likeness.

1. Pray for the new academic school year as our teachers resume their busy teaching schedules. Pray for good connections with the students and life on life impact.

2. Pray for the Meigu team members, Yolenda and Michelle, as they start a kindergarten project in a new village. May they be a blessing to the children and their families.

3. Pray for the mobilization of medical personnel for both long-term and short-term needs. There are opportunities for health workers in both rural and urban settings.

4. Pray for the local Yi peer counsellors in the Zhaojue HIV Center. Pray that they will have more love, strength and patience with the many new patients.

5. Pray that Hong Kong believers may look to the Father and be the seeds of love and reconciliation for this city in crisis.

Come impact lives & let your light shine

Special education teacher/trainer

Reach those with special educational needs. Touch lives by serving this population with love and dignity. Training carers will improve the quality of life for children with special needs and help these children enter society.

• Assist in developing training syllabus and curriculum
• Recruit and train local special needs teachers
• Provide learning support services to children with special needs
• Run training seminars for parents with disabled children

Business manager

Come use your business skills to support businesses.  A business with sound corporate social responsibility will be a testimony in the community. It will also provide opportunities for incarnational ministry.

• Help develop marketing strategies for the business
• Identify and develop new sales channels
• Oversee office and financial affairs

English teacher

Teach English and touch lives.  Many students in inland schools have never been outside the province in which they were born. They know little about the outside world. Teachers not only have the opportunity to encourage them in their academic pursuits, but also inspire them to have purpose, direction and meaning in their lives. Influence the values of your students as well as those of other teachers.

• Teach English classes
• Develop curriculum
• Help train local English teachers
• Organise activities for English corners/clubs
• Organise English camps