This past week was full of new opportunities and experiences. Something I really enjoy.
On Friday my roommate and I were able to go to a local high school and talk about U.S. Culture. For some reason high schoolers have been slightly intimidating to me this year. I have no idea why. It has never been a problem for me before. As I walked into the building I realized how long it had been since I went to a high school. Though now that I am thinking about it, I went to one last year as I was shadowing an ESL/language teacher. A few minutes after we all started talking I felt much more comfortable. Not only were we able to share our culture with these students, but we also got to talk to them about God. I shared about my private university back home and about how I enjoyed being able to go to church with my friends and have one on campus. I shared the community of friends there who are basically my family. We discussed the price of American Education. I explained that the extra cost was worth the Christian environment to me. I was really excited as the group seemed to understand why I would say something like this. My roommate and I wanted to highlight how we are able to have fun without smoking and drinking (though we didn't want to say this explicitly, rather simply sharing what we do). These issues are real over here. In addition to sharing about her family and friends, my roommate was able to share about a previous mission trip to India. Overall it was a great experience and we were asked to come back. I hope that this will be a possibility for me. As I will be heading back to the states soon.
Back in March I had been given this opportunity but turned it down out of fear. It would be my first real sermon and I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to talk long enough. This opportunity came again. I was asked if I would preach this past Sabbath. Although I was still slightly afraid, I agreed. I continually prayed that God would provide me with the words to say and to remember that it was all for Him. I ended up sharing about the harms that come from comparisons and also shared some of my experiences here as a missionary. God truly blessed, and I would happily preach again, but maybe not for a few months. Later on I will create a post where I specifically share my sermon notes.
The beginning of this current week was off to its usual start. I made my journey to a local city to teach for another school. It had it's challenges, but also it's joys. For this weeks blog I have featured a picture of myself and two of my students. Instead of having our usual lesson we took advantage of the sunshine and took a walk outside. Although I have been teaching in this city since towards the end of September, I was able to see some new parts I had never explored. Truly a wonderful experience.
On Wednesday I had many talks with students about what it is like when their native teachers leave and new ones come. What sparked this conversation is our school's newsletter which goes out to all of our students. This time it talks about the new teachers who are coming. The conversations were sad. Some students expressed that they cry when their old teachers go, others explained that they didn't want a new teacher. However, they also expressed that getting new teachers can be a lot of fun! Therefore I really believe it is bittersweet for all of us. I am so thankful for this evidence that we have all made a difference in each others lives.
Well friends, I have a little over two more weeks left of teaching in Poland. There are a few things I am glad I only have to do two or three more times. Other things and people I am going to miss so much.
I am not the only one in such a position. Many of my fellow student missionaries are coming toward the end of their service as well. I would like to ask you to pray for us in the next few weeks that we may cherish them and continue to make a difference. Also if you could pray that we would all have safe journeys back to our homes and families!
On Friday my roommate and I were able to go to a local high school and talk about U.S. Culture. For some reason high schoolers have been slightly intimidating to me this year. I have no idea why. It has never been a problem for me before. As I walked into the building I realized how long it had been since I went to a high school. Though now that I am thinking about it, I went to one last year as I was shadowing an ESL/language teacher. A few minutes after we all started talking I felt much more comfortable. Not only were we able to share our culture with these students, but we also got to talk to them about God. I shared about my private university back home and about how I enjoyed being able to go to church with my friends and have one on campus. I shared the community of friends there who are basically my family. We discussed the price of American Education. I explained that the extra cost was worth the Christian environment to me. I was really excited as the group seemed to understand why I would say something like this. My roommate and I wanted to highlight how we are able to have fun without smoking and drinking (though we didn't want to say this explicitly, rather simply sharing what we do). These issues are real over here. In addition to sharing about her family and friends, my roommate was able to share about a previous mission trip to India. Overall it was a great experience and we were asked to come back. I hope that this will be a possibility for me. As I will be heading back to the states soon.
Back in March I had been given this opportunity but turned it down out of fear. It would be my first real sermon and I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to talk long enough. This opportunity came again. I was asked if I would preach this past Sabbath. Although I was still slightly afraid, I agreed. I continually prayed that God would provide me with the words to say and to remember that it was all for Him. I ended up sharing about the harms that come from comparisons and also shared some of my experiences here as a missionary. God truly blessed, and I would happily preach again, but maybe not for a few months. Later on I will create a post where I specifically share my sermon notes.
The beginning of this current week was off to its usual start. I made my journey to a local city to teach for another school. It had it's challenges, but also it's joys. For this weeks blog I have featured a picture of myself and two of my students. Instead of having our usual lesson we took advantage of the sunshine and took a walk outside. Although I have been teaching in this city since towards the end of September, I was able to see some new parts I had never explored. Truly a wonderful experience.
On Wednesday I had many talks with students about what it is like when their native teachers leave and new ones come. What sparked this conversation is our school's newsletter which goes out to all of our students. This time it talks about the new teachers who are coming. The conversations were sad. Some students expressed that they cry when their old teachers go, others explained that they didn't want a new teacher. However, they also expressed that getting new teachers can be a lot of fun! Therefore I really believe it is bittersweet for all of us. I am so thankful for this evidence that we have all made a difference in each others lives.
Well friends, I have a little over two more weeks left of teaching in Poland. There are a few things I am glad I only have to do two or three more times. Other things and people I am going to miss so much.
I am not the only one in such a position. Many of my fellow student missionaries are coming toward the end of their service as well. I would like to ask you to pray for us in the next few weeks that we may cherish them and continue to make a difference. Also if you could pray that we would all have safe journeys back to our homes and families!