A letter from Wes and Rita Tillett in Lebanon
December 2010
Fish and Scorpions
“Which of you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a scorpion?”
We have experienced some unexpected twists and turns in our first three months in Lebanon. Wes is not in the role he thought he would be. Culture shock has been much more intense for Rita than she expected. Finding a workable schedule for Tobias has been much more challenging than we would have guessed. And, due to her race, Kidest has drawn far more attention and questions than we anticipated.
(Left to right) Tobias, Wes, Kidest and Rita Tillett on their terrace. Zahle is in the background.
But in spite of all this, and, amazingly, because of all of this, we see God’s wise and gracious hand. What sometimes has felt like the sting of a scorpion, God is slowly revealing to be something quite positive for us and for others.
Because Wes is not a regular classroom teacher for the high school students, he has been able to take on a much more pastoral role. Speaking in chapel, working with the Student Council and playing basketball and music with students, he has been able to serve much more as an adviser and mentor than he could have if he were mainly trying to establish order in the classroom.
Because Rita has undergone such intense culture shock, she has had to dig down deeper into her own faith and draw nearer to God. Always a good and worthwhile process. Rita’s heart is all the more compassionate toward others who are experiencing grief, loss and bewilderment. And, with a much simplified lifestyle, she is more intentional than ever in the nurture of her two children.
Because his school was willing to accommodate our request, Toby, despite being the only 4-year-old we know who is not in school all day every day, is able to spend a couple hours a day at school and the bulk of the day at home. In this way he is able to benefit from some of the socialization and lessons provided at school, and he is able to benefit from the hours of play, exploration and nurture provided at home.
Because Kidest draws so much attention and prompts so many probing questions by her presence in our family, she, by means of her engaging personality, is able to provide many people with much expanded concepts of race, family and love.
“God always knows best what to give God’s children” seemed to be Jesus’ basic message in the fish and scorpion text cited above. Though our faith has been tested of late, Jesus’ words have not proved untrue in our lives. Even in the midst of difficulties, we are still experiencing God’s “good gifts.”
Moving to Lebanon has been, by far, the most difficult thing we have ever done as a family. Yet, true to Jesus’ words, we are finding that God knows how to take care of us. God is not in the business of giving us scorpions when we ask for fish. God gives us what we really need. And, though sometimes laced with suffering, God is proving to us that what God gives is even more beautiful than what we could have imagined.
Update
Rita finds a quiet place along the Qadisha River. “You lead me beside still waters. You restore my soul.” (Psalm 23)
We are figuring out our roles here in Lebanon.
Wes is a Religion (Bible) and Sports (Physical Education) Teacher to fourth, fifth and sixth graders. He is teaching some English, namely an SAT-preparation course for 10th and 11th graders. He is also a regular speaker at chapel and is working closely with the high school Student Council.
Rita spends the great majority of her time with Tobias and Kidest. But she has also found time to assume the leadership of our church’s Sunday school program for children and is developing a ministry to teenage girls.
Tobias is a part-time “KG1” (first year of kindergarten) student and a full-time little boy. Most recently he is endeavoring to master the alphabet and learn numbers. He has taken up a great interest in painting and drawing.
Kidest is a full-time toddler with an inexhaustible curiosity. She loves to try new things (except when it comes to food) and is ever ready for a new book or adventure of some sort.
Nerd Facts On Lebanon
- Raised eyebrows and a slight tipping back of the head means “No” in Lebanon. (For the first few weeks Wes thought it meant something like a nonverbal “What’s up?!”)
- In certain months (April especially) it is possible to ski on the mountains and swim comfortably in the sea on the very same day. In several places it is less than an hour’s drive from ski slope to beach.
Blog
Remember, our website/blog address is web.me.com/wesleytillett.
Prayers
We give thanks for …
God’s sustaining presence. Through family, friends (old and new), prayer, circumstances and Scripture, God has held us together.
We seek grace for …
Language acquisition. Learning Arabic is not easy! Please pray that we find adequate motivation to steadily progress in the language.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this newsletter.
Merry Christmas! Every blessing to you in the coming year!
Love,
Wes, Rita, Tobias and Kidest Tillett
The 2011 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 360
