Thankful for the Unseen

Matthew Strong

Because of God’s graciousness, community members have achieved excellence here at Dalat—socially, academically, and physically, and we rightfully celebrate these people. But there is a group of people at Dalat which, may I say, are the key to which the door of opportunity unlocks, the background from which the embossment of excellence shines, and the foundation on which the house of profitability lies.  These people are yet to be venerated.

My grandpa passed away a month ago. He spent 19 years at Dalat as a house parent for elementary students and his legacy still lives on. It lives on because he built relationships with this group of unseen people. My grandpa knew Aunty Ah Mooi from the registrar who first greeted us when we arrived in Penang. My grandpa always thanked Uncle Ravi, the yardman, who to this day, dutifully still sweeps the leaves the wind blows from Dalat’s beautiful trees. My grandpa loved Uncle Rajen who rarely takes a day off from work in the maintenance department. My grandpa savored the food that Uncle Kumar makes in the cafeteria. My grandpa honored Uncle Sundaraj’s loyalty in protecting the school as a guard. These people are some who hold in their hand my grandpa’s legacy—they hold it ever so fondly.

But, the national staff are only a small sector of this group of people. I asked Ashley Kim (12) what people make Dalat special, and she thought it was those living outside of their home culture. One characteristic which makes Dalat beautiful is its cultural diversity, and many Dalat people have joyfully paid a price to bring about the intricate aromas of multiculturalism on campus by setting aside their own culture to be open to others. It isn’t easy for individuals, but for a community, it is highly rewarding.

At the end of a probably long and tiring day, when a lot of homework still awaits, a Dalat student should be very thankful. We are to be thankful for every teacher who laid down a fashionable career to mentor and develop the lives of those under them. We are to be thankful for peers who, though perhaps not the best musicians, are still in music making a beautiful collective sound, or who, though lacking athletic ability, still encourage the team with broad smiles and hard effort. We are to be thankful for every middle schooler who still has the joy to wave and smile to everyone they know. We are to be thankful for the people who Amanda Low (12) thought made Dalat special: “Those who will always try to be nice to you."

We are to be thankful for all of these people because they truly make Dalat that special place we have all known it to be. But, ultimately, we should be thankful for God, who has shown us grace by pouring down His Spirit and protection on Dalat. He has been our Providence.