What's your purpose in life?

This past week I asked my students the simple question, "Why are you here on this earth?"  My students that are Christians began writing right away and had the perfect bible answer.  My Muslim student followed suit and had the perfect Koran answer.  My remaining students stared blankly at the board and greatly struggled with answering this question.   "What do you mean Ms. Johnson?  I am here because I am here."  One of my Korean students, who tends to be somewhat lazy, stated that this was a question he had never thought about and didn't know how to answer it.   I thought I would share some parts of their answers with you...

My ELL class waiting to get a tour of the Jewish Museum 

1. Non-religious, Korean - My purpose in this life is to enjoy life.  I think life is for fun.  Therefore, people should enjoy life.  People should do things that make them happy.  

2. Muslim, Pakistan - I am on this earth to make it a better world and to spread my religion which is one of the most important things.  To also become more knowledgeable about things and perhaps to create an invention to make the world better.

3. Christian, Austrian-Philo - Because I want to live a good life.  I think God created us to live on this earth to have a family and to do our own work.  

4. Non-religious, Korean - My mom and dad created me here.  I'm just living because I'm alive and to reach my dream, being rich.  Also, God (Jesus) made me and blessed me to live and believe in him.  Also, I'm here because I like earth.  I don't want to go outside from Earth.  

5. Christian, Korean-Austrian - I think and hope that God brought me in this wonderful, but sinful world.  I have the feeling that I could change the world.  I want to make it better.  I don't want to just live and then die.  I want to use God's gifts wisely and a Christian School is perfect for these things.  

6. Non-religious, Japanese - I am here on this earth because my mom and dad were on earth.  I don't think something will change whether I live or die but I am here as a human being.  Nothing happens after I die.  One human cannot do anything but all human beings create this earth.  I think I have a lot of meaning to be here on this earth, however, I don't want to learn all of it because I'm a bit scared.  

Please be praying for these students

These past few weeks I have been able to have many "religious" conversations with this class about their purpose in life.  I am trying to teach them that they are worth more than just what this world tells them and that there is more to their life than just making money, having a family and being happy.  While they kindly listen to my ramblings about how they were created by such a magnificent God that died for them, words just do not have the affect that they used to.  For this generation, they do not respond to words, but rather actions and evidence.  They need to see how Jesus Christ has changed this world.  They need to see evidence and proof of a God who loves them so much that He would send his Son to die for them.  The best thing that we can do is to constantly show them Jesus' love.  What is Jesus' love?  It's to forgive, love those who hate you, give money to the those who need it, be patient, be gentle, be kind, and choose to see people as Jesus does: someone worth dying for.  

I have come to love this class very much and it pains me to think that they might not ever believe in Jesus.  Please join me in praying for my students and that we can love those the way Jesus loves us.  

  

Romania 2013 Overview

We've returned from Romania (about a month ago now and I am terribly sorry this post is so late)!  In a nutshell our experience in Romania was incredible, surprising, blessed and fun.

Romania Team 2013

It was incredible because we accomplished so much work in such a short period of time, spent heaps of time with Romanian kids and their moms and saw the Holy Spirit work in such a unique and specific way.  

Teaching the kids Christian songs and fun dances

Performing skits for the kids

It was surprising to see how hard some of these students worked.  There had been a few rainstorms the week before we arrived and it was quite muddy to say the least.  These students continued to work hard through the mud and rain and accomplished more than I thought they would.  We apologize to all the parents that had to do their child's laundry after this trip! 

Teaching the kids how to play "Pin the Tail on the Donkey"

Playing "pass the egg on a spoon in your mouth" game (don't know the name but it was fun) 

It was blessed because we had been covered in prayer by people from all over the world for many months preceding the trip.  The Holy Spirit protected us and sustained us throughout the whole week.  In addition, many conversations were had with non-Christians (students and Romanians) about Jesus Christ. 

We brought kites and decorated them with the kids

We were able to purchase 4 bikes with the money we raised for the kids.  They were elated!

This trip was fun because everyone got along so well, worked really hard, encouraged each other and just laughed a lot.       

THANK YOU once again to all who supported this trip both prayerfully and financially!  God answered so many prayers and because of your support, the gospel was spread to the country of Romania through willing and eager teenagers excited about Jesus Christ.  

Theme Verse

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,
    for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

Psalm 115:1