Well it looks as if I am settling into the groove of teaching. I've decided that I absolutely love it. I feel empowered as I connect with my students, teach them, and learn from them and colleagues too. It's good to have a meaningful job that is accomplishing something worthwhile. And now that most of my pre-lesson anxiety seems to be dissipating, I hopefully won't be as exhausted as I was after my first week of teaching.
This week's lesson in Bible class was the Parable of the Prodigal Son. I tried to make it personal and relevant to their culture of Taiwan in today's world. We talked about how thorough and joyful is God's forgiveness (he doesn't just grudgingly welcome us back-- He runs to us!). The students were engaged and seemed to understand. Praise God for this opportunity for them to hear the good news! It's easy for me to worry about my lesson and my performance as a teacher, but I can only do my best and pray that God will change hearts. If He can speak through a donkey, I guess He can work through me, despite my mistakes and faults. :)
In my last post I told you about the questionnaire I gave my 9th grade Bible students. Here are some examples of my students' faith life:
"I believe on Jesus and God. I chose my faith by myself before I went here. I didn't any certain faith, so when I learn something about God, I think I want to believe Him, and follow the roles that Bible told people to do. I think God is real and that's why I would have chosen believing in Jesus and God."
"I go to the temple to bai bai (worship ancestors). I would go to the temple because my family would go to the temple to bai bai and my family affect me to go to the temple. And I just follow with them to go to the temple to bai bai."
"I went to temple, because in Taiwan most people believe that, my parent also believe that, but I come to Concordia, I met Jesus. Although I didn't meet him before, but I will try."
"I belief in Jesus. At first I didn't believe in any gods. But until I came to Concordia and go to church. I decided to belief in Jesus. God give me power and brave to do the things that I afraid to do. When I sad I like to pray and talk to God."
When I first came to Taiwan, I was so overwhelmed by the people's need for the Truth that I became disheartened. But now, I realize the importance of rejoicing in those students who do have faith in Jesus Christ. These stories give me motivation to keep working hard, especially the stories that mention our school here as a catalyst for their faith. Always, we have to fix our eyes on God's power and love and our promise of heaven. When we look at the trouble around us, like Peter with the wind and the waves, we can lose hope. But there is always hope when our eyes are fixed on Jesus! He is our hope.
Team Taiwan has two new members-- Tracy from Chicago and Jen from New Jersey! We will also be welcoming Zach from Arizona soon, which will complete our team for the year. Please pray that they will adjust well to life in Taiwan and teaching, and that we can grow united as a team.
People of God, keep pressing toward the goal! Chiayo! ("Step on the gas!")
God's blessings,
Anna
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