MINISTERING THROUGH MUSIC
(PART 2)
By Christopher Quah
Continued from Ministering Through Music Part 1
Alwine does not shy away from these problematic kids. In fact, she welcomes them with open arms. This is because she is passionate in helping them through their problems instead of viewing them as the problem.
“I am more like a mentor than just a teacher. My students treat me more like the person they would run to for help, not just music lessons. They would give me a call to report about anything that happens to them; be it school or family matters,” she said.
Alwine revealed her secret that unlike other teachers she listens to her students.
“If you are willing to be patient and open to them, they will share their story with you. On top of that they will respect you more. My students would tell me their problems automatically whatever they are facing, and what is happening to them for the day. They know they can always be open to me,” she said.
She added that she never had to enforce discipline on them.
“I also do not believe in punishing them. I encourage them. That is why my students can score very well and get distinctions easily. While the full marks for the exam is 150, most of my student get 145, a high distinction, easily. When I told my friends about this, they asked whether I forced them harshly such as scolding if they play badly in the class in order for them to succeed. I told them, no. I make them passionate about learning. We can’t force them to learn. They have to want to do it,” Alwine stated.
“I think God send me a lot of students who have these problems. To be honest sometimes I purposely chose all these problematic students because I don’t see them as a lost cause but as individuals that need to be helped. God gave me a heart for these special students. I used to have students who were slow learners and with ADHD. Teaching these children are more exciting if you were to ask me. If you gave me a group of normal students I would not be as interested in the challenge of helping these special ones, gives you a satisfaction, that not everyone can handle,” Alwine explained.
Alwine admitted that her ability to connect to students wasn’t something that just came naturally. In fact, she had to take the initiative to attend courses to improve herself.
She attended counselling class in order to understand children. It was more of a passion of wanting to understand how to cope with children. With that knowledge, she combines it with her skills as a music teacher to connect with her students.
“I also went for a child pedagogy class. In this course I was taught to look at facial expressions and to read them. With that I can kind of guess what they are thinking and what their problems are,” she explained.
SAVING STUDENTS
Because of her close relationship with her students, Alwine added that many of her students came to Christ, attracted to her because of her lifestyle of faith.
Alwine explained that it’s easy to break the ice and reach out to the students, as they developed a trusting relationship with her.
“I lost count of those who I have saved through music. It’s not just the students, but parents, brothers, sisters, and even grandparents. I remember one day while I was walking at a shopping centre in Penang there was a former student who said to me “teacher I am going to church now”. I didn’t preach or try to convert them. But at the same time, I don’t try to hide the fact I am a Christian. When I was teaching music in Penang, I left Christian books on the tables and shelves for the kids to read while they waited for their parents. If they wanted to know more, they would come over and to ask me questions,” Alwine explained.
“Of course, I have parents who are atheists, anti-Christianity and all that. So, they will come to confront me face to face and say ‘I send my child to learn music class don’t teach them anything else’,” Alwine added.
She also mentioned that she wasn’t only evangelising her students but goes further that is by getting them to join Christian fellowship.
“When I was teaching in Penang as a music teacher, I also helped connect the Christian students to the non-believing students. The Christian students would invite the non-Christian ones to join them in their church youth fellowship,” she added.
She explained that she also organised choirs for students so they could grow closer together.
“Because of the choir, these kids would sing together and have a closer relationship with one another. After that the Christian students started to bring their friends to church,” she stated.
“It’s a ministry for me. And I have a concert every two years for my students. It’s a mixture of dance, and piano duet. During Christmas time I would book a hotel and invite the parents and relatives to come to the concert. Halfway through the concert I would have a pastor to come up and do a sharing before continuing. In a way it’s part of evangelism, where parents come to see their children, and get to listen to a sermon at the same time,” she said.
RETIRED?
Currently she has stopped teaching for the income. The reason is that she had moved to Subang which a new place for her. But this does not mean that she has stopped teaching completely. Nowadays, Alwine explained that she teaches as part of a ministry.
“I teach at this children’s home for free. These children aren’t exactly orphans, but they come from abusive homes. Many were living with either their mother or father and a stepparent. So, for them this shelter is their home. A place they are safe,” she said.
She is recently appointed as a music teacher for the Acts Church Orchestra.
“I teach those who want to take up a musical instrument so they can end up becoming part of the church orchestra. I am teaching them music theory. Musical theory can be applied to every instrument as they all use the same treble cleft, and timing,” she explained.
Some of the students started without any prior musical background. But once they get the hang of it like the basic C chords, they can join us as singers in the orchestra.
One of the main goals of the church orchestra is to draw non-Christians to church. Non-Christian children are allowed to perform on the stage. And parents would come over to listen to their children performing. They would come to support them and hear the gospel as well.
In the end, action speaks louder than any preaching could. With the countless students she has raised up and led to Christ, Alwine is a living testimony that anyone can be a minister, even a humble music teacher.
