School's Out For Summer

As some of you have probably read on here before, one of the opportunities the Lord gave us here in Aurora was teaching ‘religious instruction’ in a local high school. This particular ministry opportunity got the most questions and comments from people when we’d mention it. I suppose because it’s something so foreign for schools in America. Every public school in the Philippines has a religious instruction hour once a week. The local priest comes in to teach catechisms. It’s very ‘religious’ but the teachings are not biblical. They include worship of saints and other idols. Ma’am Chat, the principal at Calabuanan National High School, is a follower of Jesus and chose to break from this cultural mold. She asked a local pastor friend of ours to teach about Jesus rather than religion. The pastor asked us to do it; we agreed and recruited some friends to join us in teaching these teenagers. What a blessing this hour every Tuesday turned out to be! The group of 100 students quickly dwindled when they realized the small groups we were facilitating required interaction and not just attendance, but the 50 or so of them who continued to come were truly interested in studying God’s Word. A few of them began to obey it.  Some of them heard truths they had never heard before and had many questions. Some of them chose to follow Jesus and surrender their lives to Him. Students were changed. Praise God for this! Last Tuesday was the last time we’ll meet with them. The school year here is from June to March so final exams are coming up and school will be out for summer. I wasn’t able to attend for the last month or so (due to a sweet addition to our family!) but Josh and our friends went and we were glad to finish well. We are praying that the core group of students who are genuine about their faith will continue to study God’s word this summer. We pray they will begin their own discovery Bible studies and that disciples will be made in the community of Calabuanan. Join us in praying for these kids. Pray also for Ma’am Chat to be willing to have our friends come again next year. Pray for God to raise up godly leaders in Calabuanan.