January 19, 2010:  There were three things on my heart as I start this year: (1) to teach the new discipleship book, (2) to teach them how to pray, and  (3) to invite them to accept Jesus as their Savior.  I knew in His timing it would happen.  I've been praying for the words to say and the opportunity to speak into their lives.  I started the Child Evangelism Fellowship devotional booklet a week or so ago, and the students loved it!!!  They beg me to teach the "Wonder" book, and cheer when I announce that it's time to pull it out.

Yesterday, we had a great discussion about sin, how we are separated from God, and how Jesus is the only way.  The Lord had been really working on their hearts, and the fourth graders have been very excited and sincerely listening during our discussions.  Their hearts were open and sensitive.  Today I took them outside to sit under the trees.  I started by praying as we most always start, and then explained what the devotional had been about yesterday.  I explained how some people think that if they are "clean" on the outside, then they are good with God.  (I don't remember their exact words, but it went something like this)

                "What would happen if I filled my water bottle with bleach and said, 'Here, Carlos, drink this!'".

                "What's bleach?"   

                "A chemical to clean with".

                "Ohhhhh.....".  "I would die".

                "But what if I washed the outside of the bottle with soap and water?"

                "I would die, Ms." 

                "But what if I washed all around it really, really clean, and dried it perfectly?" 

                "He'd still die", said one of the other students.

                "You mean that even if the outside is perfect, in your perfect school uniforms, that it doesn't matter if the inside is dirty?" 

Next, we discussed the difference between believing that God exists and having a relationship with Him.   "I can know that Carlos Javier's mom exists, but I'm not friends with her.  I don't have a relationship with her like I do with Ms. Stephanie." 

Finally, I explained how Jesus came and took our punishment. "What if Carlos stole something from the school?    And just as he was about to get an Incident Report in school, Dario would say, 'Give me the Incident Report instead of Carlos."  Their eyes got big.  "Because Dario loves Carlos so much, he will take Carlos' punishment.  That's what Jesus did.  He came and said, 'Angie, I love you.  I'm going to take your punishment.  Sara, I love you.  Jireh, I love you.  I came to this earth for you.  David, I love you.  Cristian, I came to take your punishment'."   

I ended with stating that each person has to make a decision to accept God's offer of cleaning and forgiveness.  "When we stand before God, he will say ‘What did you decide?'  We will either spend eternity with him or without him."  Miguel said, "I want to choose God!"    I led in prayer, and some of the students repeated after me.  Later, I asked each student individually if they wanted to have God be their forgiver and helper, and four students told me it was the first time to ask Jesus to forgive them.   David (his parent's are Lenca Indian missionaries) was happy when I told him that some of his classmates had accepted Jesus for the first time.  We made a deal that we would pray for his classmates and we would help them grow to know Jesus more.  We even shook hands on it!      

"Jesus, did you see Miguel's face?"  Of course you did. His whole heart was seen in his eyes.  As I talked about Jesus, his whole being was intently listening.  You could see his heart in his eyes.  He knew this was serious.  It was the answer he needed.  He was ready for it.  Here was the hope his heart wanted.   His sincerity was evident.  Afterwards, I asked him, "Miguel, did you ask Jesus to forgive you?"   "Yes." "Was it your first time, or had you done it in the past?"  "It was my first time."  Daniela Ordonez said, "It was my first time."  Marco Antonio commented, "I think it was my first time...(thinking, thinking)... it was my first time." 

Vale la pena!!!!   It is SO worth it!  I get so frustrated, and discouraged with teaching.  But when I'm in my right mind, I realize that all the stress, uncertainty, changing of classes, misbehavior, everything is worth it!  WORTH IT!!!!...to have these three students choose Jesus.  And to have all the other seeds planted in each students' heart.

Carlos Javier is so excited about you, God!!  He was my shadow today.  He is always talking about choosing you.  I sometimes say, (after someone uses your name in vain) "Don't say that please, that's my best friend."   Now Carlos says "Don't say that, that's my best friend."  He's matured so much, and taken on a strong leadership role in the classroom.   He disciplines the kids for me.  "Miguel, don't complain.  Sara, be quiet!  Ms. is talking!  Daniela, can you please be quiet?  Sit down, sit down!!" 

Thank you Jesus!