A Reward, A Fulfillment, no words can describe

I have re-taken up a Tuition Assignment this year on 13th Februray to a son of my close ex-secondary schoolmate, and his name is Jasper. I've taught him for awhile when he was Primary 1 to 2 and later I decided not to continue the lessons because I could not spare regular time to teach him on a weekly basis due to my flying job as a stewardess. Although his mum did not mind then that I could not come regularly, I felt I were kind of short-changing him cos I couldn't give him regular lessons. Thus, eventually I told his mum to get him a regular full time tutor instead, in the hope that he will get better education assistant to improve his results.

Jasper is a bright child. I can see he needs lots of care and attention. Unfortunately his mum was not able to provide that luxurious time to be with him as she is the only sole-bread winner at home. Being a single-parent to bring food on table and taking care of all household expenses to three of her children. Jasper is her second boy and he has a younger sister, Jolene.

When I thought Jasper about six years back, his command of language is weak. His concentration at work is not good too. I have to take time to build up our communication relationship. Very often, Jasper will not remember what I've told him on his homework assignments. In the end, he usually did not hand up his tuition work on time.

I was very concern for his progress yet I can't take the exams on his behalf. All I can do is teach him and pray for him. His year end result for Primary 1 was bad, he failed most subjects. His mum was very concerned for him.

After Primary 1, he progressed to Primary 2 and his results were picking up. I was very happy for him. When his results were improved, I could see that he was more confident of himself. That was a very good sign and I praise the Lord for His goodness in his life.

After end of Primary 2, I told his mum that I could not continue and hope she will find a replacement for Jasper. I thought is for his good, instead his mum informed me that Jasper's results were from bad to worse and he has been failing all the papers after the new tutor. His new tutor has tried her best to teach him yet results were not improved. Several times his mum called to ask me go back to teach his son again. I was not willing to do so as I could not cope with my flight schedule and felt that I do not have ample time to rest. Although in my heart I felt burden by it and wish I could just sacrifice my rest and tuition Jasper, I did not do so that time.

It has come to my attention that this year it's his final year in Primary school - he will be taking his PSLE in EM3 grade. His mum told me that all these years Jasper has not pass any subjects including his Chinese. I was surprised that through all the years of tuition given to him and his mum said that the tutor has given him many assigments yet results were bad.

Somehow I felt I wanna take up this assignment once again as it his final year. I wanted to help him. I don't know how but I know as long as I walk in His Holy Spirit, God will guide me a way.

I remembered the day 13th February, I went to Jasper's house and had a first chat with him. Trying to assess his level as he is not in the normal primary stream, he is a grade lower. My cell group leader was concerned that I may not be able to cope with my flying schedule if I were to take up this assignment. I told him I just have to do it as my heart tells me so.

Although I was very stretched with my time when I am in town, I felt I am doing the right thing. I told Jasper's mum to keep the tutor as I will be taking it as volunteer basis. I took a month plus to assess his right level of education. I remembered I ask Jasper what level he thinks he's at, he smiled at me and simply said, "I'm in Primary 6." I was asking how confident he thinks his education level is at, I guess he does not know. As I need to assess the right level for Jasper, I went to Popular book store to get all various level of assessment books for him to do. Finally, I found out that his English was at normal Primary 3 level and his Maths is around Primary 4 to Primary 5 early level.

I can still vividly recall the first time when I show him the Primary 1 English assessment book I bought for him to do. He looked at me and say, "Teacher, I'm in Primary 6 not Primary 1, why did you buy the wrong book for me?" I told him that I didn't buy the wrong book for him. I said if he is really good and think he is above Primary 1 level then he should be able to complete the book without any difficulty. In the end, he did make a few mistakes in the Primary 1 assessment book. That's how I managed to gauge his education level.

From the result, I was able to find out which area I can help to give extra lesson to strengthen in his English subject.

Just few days before his exam in school, he told me the dates for the exams. I felt that time is very short for me to do anything much. All I can do is pray for him after each tuition lesson. I told him to bow his head and close his eyes and I prayed for him.

In one of his composition, he wrote that he wish he can pass his exams so that his mum and grandmother were be impressed and praise him. I know that's his desire to want to do well in his study.

Just 2 days before his school exams, I gave him a pre-test for English and Maths. He failed both my pre-test papers. I told his mum about it and prepare his mum not to have too much high hope that he will able to pass the exam this mid year but let's be hopeful and prepare him for the final year-end exams.

On 14th May, as I was on my way to his place for tuition, he message me of his school mid-year exam result. In his first message was:"Math exam 93 mark.eng exam 30.5 mark"...then the next message was:"So I pass"...

I could not believe it! I'm not sure did he gave the right result, thus I asked him what is the full marks for each paper and his reply was this:"93/100 math and 30.5/60 eng"... Wow, that was amazing to me!! He Passed!

I was thrilled with joy and while still in the cab, I quickly call his mum as I wanted to share this joy with her too. As I know she was working during that time, I called her office after I could not reach her through her mobile. There was no one picking up the phone in her office too, so I called my boyfriend to share with him this wonderful news.

I truely believe God has all the answers for this to happen. I was glad to see him doing well in his exam and I know prayer works.

This has been a great reward and fulfillment to me that no words can decribe. With just few weeks of coaching him and seeing this to bear some fruit, I was overjoyed! I'm glad I persevered and believe in Jasper that he will do well, he has not failed me and most important he has proved himself that he can do well! I'm very proud of him and glad that I followed my heart to take up this assignment and glory to the Lord! Amen.