The Minds of Middle Schoolers

ELL Bible Beginner

One of my most challenging and yet most rewarding classes has been teaching the Bible to a group of middle school students.  This class is made up of six students representing all types of nationalities and religions.  There is a Muslim from the Middle East, a Buddhist from South East Asia, two Christians from Nigeria and South East Asia, and a Catholic from Austria.  I am still unsure about the last student but he doesn’t speak English very well... yet.  

Since our school is a Christian school, we have the freedom to teach the bible from a Christian perspective.  It is quite fascinating to be able to teach these students the truth of the Gospel when they have grown up so differently.  The majority of my students have never even opened a bible before! 

Since it is an ELL class, their English is extremely limited.  The first half of the month was spent defining key vocabulary words about God. We are now diving into creation, the Trinity and the Spirits.  Some of these concepts are challenging for me to wrap my mind around let alone a group of non-Christian, English limited middle school students.  Nevertheless, those obstacles can’t stand in the way of our God.  I have been quite amazed at how the Lord has been working in the hearts of all these students and allowing them to understand the mystery of Christ.  Their questions are well thought out and are a challenge to me.  I’d thought I’d share a few of them with you below.  

1.     Ms. Johnson, does God love Buddhists?

2.     When we get sick, does that mean an Angel lost a battle against a demon and is no longer protecting us?

3.     Is Hell in the center of the world?

4.     Why did God let Lucifer rebel against Him?

5.     Why didn’t God just destroy Lucifer when he rebelled?

6.     Why does God give us choices when we could just be in heaven with Him?

7.     If I google the face of God and see it, will I die?  (after explaining how if we saw the face of God in all his glory, we would die)

8.     Ms. Johnson, is it OK if I write the word hell for the home of Satan?  (in a very whispered voice)

If you have some answers to any of these questions, feel free to comment below.  I'd love your input!

ICSV Eagles on FIRE

The month of September is always the busiest for teachers.  I had intentions of blogging every week this month, but unfortunately September went by too fast for me.  So here I find myself at the end of the month FINALLY blogging.  This post will be about my volleyball team and my heart for them.

Varsity team after winning their first game

 I am coaching the girls High School JV and Varsity teams again this year.  We have 10 girls on each team and they are a great group of girls.  They LOVE playing volleyball and have worked real hard.  The Varsity team just won their first game against the American International School of Vienna.  They were the only team we lost to last year during our regular season so I was very pleased with them winning.  The JV team is composed of many girls who have never played volleyball before.   They are excited to get better and have been working really hard.

JV team after their first game

Our theme for this year is FIRE.  I am still in the process of finding a verse for this theme.  I chose fire because there are many life lessons that can be used when putting this into our minds.  On the court, and in life, we will be tested and put through fire.  There are two ways that we can respond: be burned or be refined.  My prayer for this team is that they will become refined on and off the court as they begin high school and play volleyball.  Also, when a fire comes through, it leaves its mark and impression.  As we play other teams or encounter different people, we need to be able to leave our marks on their lives. Ultimately, my hope is they would leave the mark of Christ and ignite a fire in the lives of others. 

Not everyone on my team is a Christian.  Please pray that the Lord ignites His fire in their lives.  

Back in Vienna

Disclaimer:  This post should have gone out in August.

Last year at this time I was feeling pretty anxious and low about being back in Vienna.  I had just had a great summer at home with my family and friends and was feeling nervous about being in Vienna.  Some dear friends had left the city, I still couldn't speak German very well and I didn't want to leave my family.  However, as per usual, the Lord continues to take care of us, fight for us and bless us.

While it was hard to come back to Vienna for my third year, I was definitely more excited to come back to my new home.  I knew what to expect, how to prepare and had such a sense that the Lord has me here for His purpose.  Plus, living in a European country can be a lot of fun.  Becca and I tried to take advantage of this city before the school year started!

Becca and I jumping on some trampolines over the Danube River

Learned how to properly cut ribs at our annual staff BBQ

Got to visit with some graduated students

Celebrate a dear friend's birthday
Check our her blog here.

Biked from Vienna, Austria to Bratislava, Slovakia  (a total of 42 miles... ouch)

Reunited with the ICSV staff and met some new teachers

 

Check back in tomorrow for a post about my new students and how to pray for them!

Old Beginnings

Hello everyone!  I have started my third year of teaching at ICSV and it still feels like a dream job.  I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such a great staff and be able to teach such wonderful students.

ICSV Teaching Staff

This year I will be teaching High School Spanish and Middle School ELL.  These are the same classes that I taught last year which is quite nice since I now know the curriculum.  The majority of my students are new to the school as well.  These students come from all parts of the world and only a handful of them have chosen Jesus Christ as their Savior.  I ask that you continue to pray for my students and that their little middle school hearts would be susceptible to the Holy Spirit's calling.  Here are some pictures of my ELL students so you can visualize who you are praying for and get to know my kids.  I will do a post about my Spanish students soon!

ELL Intermediate Class

ELL Advanced Class

ELL Bible Beginner

I am also the Junior Class homeroom teacher and will be leading, mentoring and spending time with these students.  I know I shouldn't have favorites, but they are a pretty great group of High School kids.