Sunday, February 25, 2007

The Stories are True?

The first meeting was a getting to know you meeting. We examined what our friends Lisa and Mary have already heard. It is important that we approach our study free from any misconceptions or false teaching. Mary has read more from the bible during her time in her home country.

Lisa had not heard anything of the Bible before, which really sets the tone for what our class will start out with. I've never known someone who has not ever read the Bible before. It was exciting for them and me to explain the essential simplicity of the Bible in the fact that its a Book full of stories. I explained that the stories are about God working through people thousand of years ago all the way up to 2 thousand years ago.

Upon this, Lisa asked, "So the stories in the Bible are true?"

This set the tone for how our lessons would begin.

Thursday, February 8, 2007

Fresh Perspectives

**For the sake of this blog being public and 'teacher-student confidentiality' being upheld, the names of the students will be changed. It is also necessary to understand the religious/political situations of where these students come from that will keep me from sharing their native country.**

Yet another chapter in Sara and I's book of life has begun. The Lord knows exactly what we need and will give us only that which has a purpose. This time, the blessing has come in the form of two students from the East pursuing a Master's in Education with me.

This will be the beginning of a journal about a journey the Lord is taking us on in Discipling. To my knowledge this road began just a couple weeks ago, however it is possible that God had been preparing this time months past when these two students were in a class with me last semester.
I'm so excited to share this story for all those who care to read.

About two weeks ago, one of the girls in my class, Mary, asked me,"May I speak with you after class?"
"Sure!" I said.
Five minutes later after our teacher had dismissed class Mary said, "You do missions right?"
"yea," I responded
"Would you teach me Bible? I have a class later this semester and I want to learn the Bible."
"Well sure!" I remarked. "When do you want to meet? Is there anyone else who would like to join?" I had known Mary last semester in a Counseling class I was in. She had a good friend, Lisa, who was with her in that class; both of them were in this class as well. I had hoped she'd invited Lisa to come as well. After Mary approached Lisa about it, we set a date for the following Sunday.

I was both humbled and excited about this amazing opportunity. Never had I imagined that someone would ask Me to learn the Bible! I had actually even decided the prior semester that if someone else would reach out to these students from the East, I would stick with Africa. Praise God for His Divine action in our ways.

I feel like Philip when the angel told him to go South toward the desert. I have no desire to go to the East, or the desert in Philip's case, but the Lord has a purpose. Philip had spent time in other cities proclaiming Christ and seeing God work amazing things through him, just as I have spent time in Africa seeing God work there. I wonder what Philip thought when, in the middle of the road, he comes across a guy reading scripture and seeking answers. The Lord told Philip to go to the Chariot that the Eunuch was riding in and the Eunuch invited Philip in.

In the next blog I will talk about the first lesson as I try to catch up to present day.