Years ago I preached in a Bible school in Latvia. The first time l got up to speak the students started to clap and stomp. When I finished they clapped and stomped some more, and I was gratified that they appreciated my lesson.

A short time later I returned to the front to teach the second session amid more clapping and stomping. When I finished I received the same response, and was really pleased that they seemed to be getting so much from the teaching.

When I got up to teach the third hour they clapped and stomped as usual, only this time when I finished the clapping and stomping was louder than ever.

I was finished with my teaching sessions and sat down in one of the back rows. Another teacher stepped up to teach and the students once again began to clap and stomp. Finally I approached the director of the school and asked, “Why do your students clap and stomp so much? Did they like my lessons?”

He replied, “They’re all freezing. They’re allowed to clap and stomp between lessons to keep warm.”