Our Church has a wonderful group of loving, compassionate souls who give of their time each Sunday as REACH Volunteers. While Rick and I worship in Church, these amazing people watch Josiah and other children with disabilities. They are fabulous with our kids and include them as much as possible with typically developing peers. We are so very grateful for this service provided free of charge and blessed to know Josiah is so well cared for.

Earlier this week, we received the following letter from Joanie, a woman who works very closely with all the volunteers and the children with special needs at our church. With her permission, I am sharing her letter, changing the name of the other child involved to ‘Max’.

Last Sunday, January 22, 2012 during the 9 am Creek Kids Service, I was volunteering with the REACH ministry with Josiah Deppisch. I wanted to write down my thoughts to remember the beautiful interaction between Josiah, Max, and Josiah’s dad, Rick.

MASTER TEACHERS

I’ve been an educator for over 20 years working with individuals with different ability levels. Although some would say that I was a teacher of many individuals, I would have to say that all of my students were teaching lessons to me, and some of them were my ‘master teacher’. Today Josiah and Max became our ‘Master Teacher’ showing us ultimately how our Savior, Jesus Christ, teaches us to live.

Without words Josiah invited me and Max into his presence (world). Without words we laughed and played a made up game. Today, January 22nd, was Josiah’s birthday and Max was so excited about that. He told the 4th-5th grade small group leader, “Today is Josiah’s birthday, we should celebrate and sing to him!”

Max asked me if I thought Josiah could come to his house to play. He said, “Does he have any allergies?” I told him, “I don’t know, why?” He said, “Because my mom was making really good soup and he would like it!” I told Max that when Josiah’s dad picks him up today, he could talk to him about coming over to play.

Although Josiah was not ‘talking’ back to Max, Max continued to spend time with Josiah. He stood next to him, watching out for his dad to come. Every now and then, Josiah would glance at Max and smile. When Rick arrived, Max immediately went up to him and asked him if Josiah could come over to his house to ride bikes. Rick replied, “Josiah doesn’t know how to ride a bike.” Max said, “Is he Autistic? Because I am Autistic and I can ride a bike; maybe he can learn.” Rick replied, “Yes he is.” I added, “But he would love to watch I bet!”.

But Max tried to find another way to interact, “Maybe he could come and play video games with me”. Rick replied, “Well Josiah doesn’t really know how to play video games”. This didn’t stop Max from inviting him over. He still insisted that Josiah come over to play. It was obvious that he was content to be in Josiah’s presence.

After Max left, Rick and I talked. Rick seemed amazed that Max still wanted Josiah to come over and play. I reminded him that Josiah just very well may be communicating with Max and vice-a versa. We discussed that just Josiah’s presence was part of building a relationship. Rick said, “I wonder at times what Josiah’s purpose is.” And it was in that moment that he saw a purpose for him. Josiah and his dad left church that day with a smile on their face.

I was reminded that day of who our ‘Master Teachers’ are….
The less one can talk or speak
The less one can walk or move
The less one can interact or play
The more they become our ‘Master Teachers’
They speak with their spirit
They move our soul
They interact in their own unique way
It’s as if the Holy Spirit clearly communicates through them to us if we only listen. It is in the mere presence of this person that we are still. We are at peace, and we can see Christ in them.

Josiah clearly communicated with his spirit and Max was able to listen.