Remember the Old Testament story of Elisha and the Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:8-37)? We’re not told her name, except that she was wealthy, generous and hospitable: every time Elisha passed by her house, she would feed him; moreover, she built him a small room in the attic of her house so that Elisha could rest on his frequent travels through her village.

One day, after having enjoyed the rest accorded to him, Elisha decided to bless the woman: “See, you have taken all this trouble for us; what is to be done for you” (vv.13 and 14)? Elisha was probably filled with GRATITUDE for the woman’s kindness towards him. But gratitude is not just something we feel; it’s something we do. As it turned out, this woman was childless, with no prospects of becoming a mother because her husband was old (v.14). Elisha prophesied that she would conceive and give birth to a son by the same time next year. She did.

Was the Shunammite woman GRATEFUL? Of course! Childlessness was frowned upon in the culture of the Ancient Near East in those days. Now that she had become a mother, she was not just relieved; she was overjoyed and immensely GRATEFUL. Gratitude begets gratitude!

There was another twist to the story. The child fell ill and died (v.20). Full of faith and determination, the Shunammite woman immediately decided to seek the man of God, Elisha (v.22). “All is well,” she told her husband as she left to look for Elisha (v.23; cf. v.26). Elisha performed yet another miracle and raised the child from the dead. She had “laid down” her dead son in GRIEF (v.21) but “picked up” her resurrected son in GRATITUDE (v.37). Again, gratitude begets gratitude, many times over! The resulting blessings that God pours into our lives are often like that – lavish, overflowing, immeasurable!

“Happy Teachers’ Day”: An Expression of Gratitude!
On September 5, the students at BTS prepared a heart-warming presentation to celebrate Teachers’ Day. Although hard-pressed for time with assignments due, they nevertheless prepared a heartfelt video presentation for the faculty and staff. They wrote creative, thoughtful appreciation notes to faculty and staff (formally read as ‘epistles’ from the countries they originated from), prepared balloons and decorated a wall for photo-taking. They also wrote numerous thank-you cards and feted teachers and staff with lovely cakes and drinks. They were profusely generous with their words of appreciation. Such unmitigated GRATITUDE expressed by our students – for the learning, care and mentoring they are receiving at BTS – is a testament to the grace of God at work in the school. We are truly thankful to God!

Even our alumni from overseas joined in the celebration by sending video greetings and warm words of appreciation to the faculty and staff. Although they had left BTS and were now faithfully serving in their home countries as pastors and missionaries, they reminisced about their time at BTS and how their training had shaped them. We are very proud of our alumni, pray regularly for them, and truly thank the Lord for every one of them. Not a few of us teared with GRATITUDE and joy as we received these kind words of affirmation. Truly, gratitude begets gratitude!

We want to express our GRATITUDE to all our ministry partners and friends, the pastors and leaders of our Baptist family, for their unwavering support and prayers. The GRATITUDE we’ve experienced as a team at BTS, including our students and alumni, stirs our hearts to lift our voices in praise to God for His goodness to us all.

To God be the glory!

Ho Chiao Ek, PhD
President