[from Kelli Wilson]
Hello everyone!—My name is Kelli
Wilson. I am originally from Wilmore, Kansas: a wonderful small town in the most beautiful part of Kansas. My family consists of myself, my daddy, one dog and one cat. I grew up going to Kansas Bible Camp—first as a camper, then as a staffer/counselor. KBC is where I first heard of Immanuel Mission. Little did I know that years down the road the Lord had plans for me that involved Immanuel Mission. Following high school I attended college at Emmaus Bible College in Dubuque, Iowa and received a double Bachelor's degree in Bible and Elementary Education. After college I spent a year working in Dubuque and preparing to come out to Immanuel Mission to teach first grade. My cat, Mr. Bear, accompanied me and we have enjoyed our first month and a half here at the mission. I am adjusting quite easily with only an occasional twinge of homesickness (which is easily cured with a phone call or a letter). I am still working on getting settled into my apartment, since the majority of my energy goes into my classroom.
I have a wonderful classroom with six equally wonderful first graders. They are quite a challenge and keep me on my toes. We are melding together as a whole class quite nicely, despite a few bumps at the beginning. We are learning about God, His love, protection, and forgiveness, as well as His servants.
The kids in my class are varied in their understanding of who God is. Many know about Him through church, summer Bible clubs, and the much loved Veggie Tales! Others are just beginning to hear about God and learn who He is. One of my precious kiddos asked on his first day of school, "Is God real?" I assured him that our God is a very real God who loves us, hears us when we pray, and wants us to love Him. A few weeks later the Lord saw fit to touch my heart through this same little boy. He approached me with a "secret" first thing one morning. "Teacher, guess what? Last night I prayed… and it stopped raining!" The Lord used this to remind me about the faith of a child. Part of me wanted to shield this boy with the truth that God doesn't always choose to alter the weather whenever we desire. But the Lord drew me back from offering that warning and instead caused me to praise Him because of His grace to strengthen the faith of this child of His. I know that there are many times in my life when the Lord has used circumstances of the world around me to strengthen my faith. He is such a gracious and loving God!!!
At times it is very daunting to be a first grade teacher—teaching reading, addition and subtraction, not to mention building the foundations of faith that these six students of mine will need to build their life on. But I know that the Lord will be there with me the whole way, giving me gentle reminders of the knowledge I have and inspirations of wisdom that He alone can give. Somehow, whenever I recall that, the task at hand isn't quite as daunting. Isn't He wonderful!