Testimonies

(All names and several details in the articles have been changed to protect the privacy of our students)

-- from an OASIS Teacher

When I first considered accepting an appointment with OASIS, I had many questions as to how I could be effective as a Christian teacher in a setting where I had strict limitations on openly sharing matters of faith in the classroom.  Coming from a public school environment, I had my share of frustrations seeing students in great need, knowing they could find peace in Christ, and fearing for my job if I told them what I've discovered to be the Truth.  I discovered a new approach to my job which has proven invaluable since starting my job with OASIS.

First, I've discovered the value of witnessing through lifestyle - the unique challenge of giving up words for living out Christ.  I've often told my students "actions speak louder than words," and now I daily pray that His love will show in my life in such a way that words are not necessary.  Wow, what a challenge!

Secondly, I discovered that there is no greater spiritual work I can do for my students than to diligently pray for them by name.  I've made it my practice to walk through my room early each morning, touching each desk, and praying specifically for the child that sits at that desk by name and by specific need.  I pray that His love will draw them to Him and that they will have a heart to seek God, and to know Him in Truth.

When I started to practice these two things in public school, God started an incredible work - mostly in me! Now I have the privilege of ministering in much the same way but among an amazing bunch of international students whom I have grown to love deeply, and whom I believe will one day change their world!

-- from a NICS Teacher

Dear teachers out there,

Whether you see teaching as a gift, a noble vocation or just a paycheck, I would guess that there are times when you love teaching, times when it's just hard work and times when you're just "cruisin'". When I'm at the bottom of the cycle, it helps me to hear some good "teacher stuff." Of course sometimes it just accentuates how lousy my situation is and makes me suspect that "Mr. Super teacher" is just writing a neat article for the teacher magazine. So you can decide whether to read this or just use it in the third grade's bird cage.

During the past 25 years, I have taught so many topics in so many formats that I felt pretentious listing them. It could be perceived as a broad experience or just someone who changed jobs a lot. Anyway, my wife and I have just begun teaching in our fourth country and have discovered here dynamics that have redefined teaching for us. We have taught in Christian schools in the U.S. and in two MK schools in South America. At present, we are at an International School in Asia. This school and its mother organization, the Network of International Christian Schools (NICS), represents a school model that has overwhelmed us with opportunities for ministry. In our school's short history, many of our students have come to know Christ. Let me emphasize that these students have come a very long way to know Christ, having started often with no biblical concepts whatsoever in their experience.

I am encouraged by the variety of approaches to education that exist today ; Public, Private, Private Christian, Charter, Home Schooling, MK (Missionary Kid), Accelerated, Distance, Tutoring, and so many others. Each brings its advantages and challenges based on the needs it was designed to address. So let me tell you why the International Christian School model has recharged my battery as an educator.

Water on Dry Ground - Our school is a small fountain in a place that is so dry spiritually that even spilt water is soaked up immediately. I am continually amazed at how God brings us kids from Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist families - in addition to MK's. Many of these students would have no knowledge of Jesus Christ without our presence in their lives. Their lives are so spiritually dry that just our standing in front of them and loving them is a testimony. Jesus said, "If I am lifted up, I will draw all men to me." Just recently, one of our non-Christian students, in a paper she had written, made reference to "the one true God." Many of our students are not yet aware of the ramifications of that truth in their lives but to see one of them narrow it down from several thousand gods to one God is a good start. The very fact that this is becoming a part of their mind set is something wonderful to watch.

In watching the Truth enter our students' thinking, I have come to appreciate every small point of doctrine that we usually take for granted. How wonderful to know that there is only one true God and that He is totally unlike the others. Instead of having a hideous face with a long tongue and teeth and evil eyes surrounded by snakes, this God is personified as a gentle shepherd characterized by love and compassion.

As I move through this city and see the spirit houses, I think of what a dark reality these false deities represent for an entire nation of people. It is one thing to be humiliated by the thought of some faceless senseless fate that rolls over people's lives and destroys them without reflection or remorse. How hopeless to live with the reality that sexual abuse, torture, murder, random fatal illness, countless injustices and cruelties are just going to happen and there is no remedy. Worse yet to think that beyond what humanity can do to you, there are gods who are just as capricious, yet more capable of harm. Worship is a constant fearful attempt to distract or appease these demon spirits. What an incredible relief to know that there is a God of love who is kind and caring! How real He becomes in the faces and words of teachers who are themselves the children of this God.

While only a small number of our students experience the more overt manifestations of human depravity, there are some who live as emotional orphans. Their parents are totally distracted in their pursuit of material things so that some kids seldom see their fathers who are constantly working. One student, Asad, is "managed" by his dad's driver and secretary. To celebrate his birthday, the secretary "cuts him a check" and he shows up the next day with large amounts of expensive treats. His mom, who lives elsewhere, is one of several wives. So, Asad, by God's grace, gets a mother's love from his teachers at our school. Can you see the dynamic ministry in such simple routines as a godly lady just helping a boy with his homework? The unspoken testimony of a hand on a shoulder and a smile soaks deeply into a young boy's sprit. Love is the ultimate apologetic.

If all we did was live Christ in front of our students, it would be worth all the sacrifice. But, thank God, WE CAN DO MORE! We can tell them about Christ! We can teach them the Bible! And we can pray for them by name! One of the great advantages of being here is the ability to move beyond the ambivalent prayer for "those people out there somewhere." If you were here with us, you could pray that Sunni's parents would tolerate her becoming a believer and even be saved themselves. You could pray that Anida would come to know "the one true God" that she wrote about in her paper. And best of all, you could be there when their lives (and yours) are changed forever!

Then there's the ministry to the MK's (Missionary Kids) in our school. What a joy to support God's workers by being a part of their kids' education! Better yet, you should see some of those MK's praying right along with their teachers for their lost friends, and then being a part of that friend coming to Christ! Dynamic! We have even seen parents and entire families come to Christ!

Now there are certainly sacrifices to be made. Few places are as comfortable as home. But a simple lesson to be learned early on is that There is no ministry without sacrifice. Sacrifice is an integral and essential element designed by God to benefit both us and the people we touch. On the other hand, the fruit of ministry is sweeter than you might imagine. It would be rare for you to find a missionary, regardless of their unique experience, who would not say "It is absolutely worth it."

So are you tired and ready for a change? Looking for classroom ministry with an intensity you've not yet known? Hang on ... we get tired and have some lousy situations to cope with too; but we get to live two days at a time here. I can honestly say that the negatives are completely swallowed up by the wonderful rewards of this ministry. I wouldn't miss it for anything in the world!

- Teacher, ICS