A Thankful Tribute to "Tia Eli"

As these "Sweet Memories" show, 

before being our sons' teacher Elisa was first

 

a young person in our church youth group; 

our daughters' friend; 

and a companion in pro-life ministry. 

For almost as long as we have lived in Iquique, Elisa Baez Tapia (as well as her mother, Grace) has been a part of our family's life. We had the privilege of watching her first steps in the Christian faith and the joy of seeing her faithful commitment to Jesus and her local church body ever since. Elisa is a sweet servant who delightedly disciples other young women and teaches boys and girls the Word of God. She leads family devotions in her home with her widowed mother and sister, and is a compassionate friend and witness to her neighbors. She diligently studies and applies the Bible to her life and relationships. She is a gift.   

When we returned to Chile after our last furlough/home assignment, schooling as always was a big question mark for us. Our children had just completed a year in US schools that had been exceptionally beneficially for each of them academically. None desired to venture back into education in Spanish in Chilean schools, and we prayed for a solution that would meet the needs in front of us. 

Eventually, "Tia Eli" became the answer to that prayer. 

Educated in two separate Chilean universities (the first unfortunately went bankrupt which forced students to transfer to the second) as an English teacher, Elisa had very good fluency in the language. Due to circumstances outside her control, her final thesis was pending and she was not yet able to apply for a full-time position in a local school. However, in 2019 she was in need of a job and we were in need of a teacher! Together we discussed options that might meet our mutual needs and budgets, and a plan was formed.

Through 4th grade, 5th grade, 6th grade and 7th/8th grades (as student needs varied) she carefully accompanied Ian and Alec through their schooling. She adjusted to curriculum changes, and created Spanish lessons and music (guitar) classes for the boys. When COVID-19 came along and Chile caved into never-ending quarantine, she utilized virtual means to connect with the boys each day for their classes. It wasn't especially fun for anyone, but there were still smiles and occasional laughter because Eli truly loved her students! As a mom, that quality was more valuable than all the rest put together. I knew that Eli prayed for our sons and cared for not only their academic but also their spiritual and social well-being.

With the arrival of the Fisher family in 2020, our home school numbers grew! We're so grateful that God orchestrated a rental home for them just two houses away. Ian and Alec were joined in Eli's classroom at our house by cousin Nathaniel, while older brother Owen joined cousin Benjamin under Aunt Terri's tutelage in their home. Aunt Terri also applied her educational background to choosing new and interesting curriculum for all the students, and Eli flexibly adjusted to these new materials. Classes became more interactive once quarantine restrictions were lifted. Fun moments were had, especially when experiments were being attempted!

And then Silas became a student.

A fan of Tia Eli's since infancy, he joined the ranks of her students when the pandemic effectively closed down his preschool. Once-a-week video calls with his pre-Kindergarten teacher did not suffice to continue his learning, and something needed to change. So with the help of the free "Easy Peasy" homeschool learning site, Eli began to dedicate a part of her day to Silas. Always full of energy and eager to follow in his brothers' footsteps, he began to grasp concepts by leaps and bounds! Through the summer months (January/February) before starting 1st grade in Chilean school, they continued working on his reading and math skills so that his new teachers were very complimentary of how well prepared he was upon arrival!

Today was our sons' last official day with Tia Elisa as their teacher, as we prepare once again to depart for a year of furlough/stateside ministry. I did not want to let the occasion pass by without writing down these words of reflection for a dear friend who day in and day out, Monday through Friday, for four years was a part of our lives! Many times there were days when Eli and I did not even see each other, often because I was working at FLORECE (which was a significant aspect of our decision to find a teacher to help with our children's schooling in the first place.) Other times I was working from home on the third floor while she taught on the first, and we both were busily occupied carrying out our individual responsibilities. Eli's trustworthy presence in our home made possible not only the education of our children but also the flow of ministry for Pedro and for me in a way it otherwise could not have happened. 

The greatest reassurance was knowing this wasn't sacrificing our kids' education but entrusting it. Eli took her job seriously ... prepared diligently ... taught and laughed ... listened and prayed ... and made our children feel valued and loved. At different times during the year she would plan special surprises for her students such as a meal at her house with finger foods she and her mom prepared. Or she would arrive with some kind of treat in hand to start their day off with a smile! Sometimes in addition to teaching, she was our childcare provider for date nights and even an overnight getaway or two. When I was feeling overwhelmed or inadequate by parenting challenges that presented themselves, I knew she truly cared for the child in question and would sincerely pray for that child's well-being without judgment. 

Words can never sum it all up but -

All this to say, an enormous THANK YOU 

to a very special teacher, counselor, sister and friend.

God bless you.