If you feel you need to have your faith in humanity restored, then check out this video.
Ben Ellis worked passionately as a much-loved Latin teacher at Christ Presbyterian Academy in Nashville. He was a big part of community life, and all five of his children attended the school. That’s why it hit the school community hard when Ben was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.
Ben fought a brave fight, and amazingly he kept teaching while receiving chemotherapy.
Eventually, though, he decided to stop receiving treatment with his family’s support when he learned his cancer had spread. No one expected what happened next.
“They dropped their pencils, abandoned lessons and tests then streamed onto buses.”
As word got around the school, the students decided they had to let their beloved teacher know just how much he meant to them all. They dropped their pencils, abandoned lessons and tests then streamed onto buses. Together, they travelled to their teacher’s home and gathered on his lawn.
Once they had all assembled, they lifted their voices in song and serenaded Ben with hymns in a bid to lift his spirits and convey their affection for him. A neighbour recorded their wonderful performance, and Ben can be seen watching from the window with his wife, Shelley.
Ben was clearly very moved and even sang along during the choruses
According to school headmaster Nate Morrow, once they finished singing Ben had a message for his students:
“Ben said back to the students that he loved them and that they need to continue to love each other as well.”
The video was uploaded to YouTube and has spread through the internet like wildfire. It even reached the Facebook page of country singer Tim McGraw. Since the video was shared on McGraw’s page it has been viewed more than 14 million times.
Sadly, just ten days after this beautiful display, Mr Ellis passed away. Before he died, however, he took the time to write a message to all his student explaining what their gesture meant to him:
‘I felt unity, I’m not alone. Joy. Peace. I also felt very loved; I already felt loved by God, but it was extra meaningful that God poured his love out to me through 500 people who loved me so well,’