Preparing for Week 3

History reveals to us great followers of Christ. One of the great examples is that of Damien of Molokai (Joseph Damien of Belgium). He resided on a Hawaiian Island that is home to some of the highest cliffs, the greenest palms, and ferns... I know you are already envious... thinking, yes, that is a great example... Well, he was not there for the tropical climate, and our view of how he spent his leisure time may not be so enticing. You see, the isle of Molokai is where the lepers of the islands were sent. Leprosy in those days had not treatment, and no cure, so people would be sent there to die in a "colony of the dead." But Joseph Damien's heart burned with the love of Christ, and so risking infection himself, he went there to live, and minister to the lepers in order to share Christ with them.

It was in the process of ministering to them that one day pouring boiling water in a cup, that some splashed out onto his foot. He was stunned by the fact that he did not feel it, so out of curiosity, he poured some on the other foot, and there was no feeling there either. He probably paused for an eternity at the horror of what he was witnessing - realizing that he was seeing the advanced stages of the dreadful nerve disease in his own body.

Joseph Damien poured his life into these people, he loved them with a love that few of us are willing to risk. That morning as he entered the pulpit to preach, the people were very surprised t hear a change in his opening line. Usually he opened by saying. "My fellow believers." but on this morning, he opened by saying, "my fellow lepers." He didn't stop preaching, but now he preached with empathy that he formerly did not posses.

We see this same love played out as the Son of God empties himself of his glory, and comes in the form of a man. He was with God; he was God, and yet he dwelt among us. As we embody the love of Christ this week before the international students that God has brought us, lets keep in mind that we are no better, we have no more to offer, we have nothing that will help them in this world except Christ in us - not ministering down to them, but coming to them as "fellow lepers" who have found the cure.

Selah,
James Biesiadecki

Week 2: Moving Forward

Well, we got week two underway. To me it was confirmation that we are in for a different kind of semester. Although I have not received the total count, there were over 60 there all together, and there were about 5 new students added.

The first night, I told our students that we have the best teachers around. I am convinced that if you could measure the hearts of our teachers compared to any other ELL classes available to these students, my suspicions would only be confirmed.

Continue to pray! On the back of the Bookmark/prayer guide you will find the items to pray for throughout the week:

Monday: Pray for our classes
Tuesday: our support team
Wednesday: SHBC International ministries
Thursday: Our students
Friday: Our language missionaries

Thanks,
James Biesiadecki

I will give more a more full description of these in the days to come.

ENGLISH CORNER BEGINS: Great Expectations

Last semester English corner started with about 20 people. My hope this semester was that we would meet and exceed that number - at 6:15 the students started coming... and they kept coming... and coming... and coming. The waiting room was at capacity. The final count was 40 students! But that was not the greatest part of the night. The students were excited - the teachers were excited: The atmosphere was electric. All of the students worked their way trough the stations, until ending up in the large group area that more resembled a pep-rally than an English class.
What was different this year? As we walked in the southern most part of Fielder hall, we walked in past a bulletin board that was filled with prayer cards for English Corner - Our church is committed to prayer for this ministry. International people came in with crinkled, worn brochures...ones that were passed out by our church family. Our teachers came out in force...some came in from work, some from work and then errands... but they were here and they were ready. The difference: the Lord was at work in and through his church and as a result, He was there!
As I think back over all of the preparation that has gone into this, I am reminded that "spiritual fruit requires spiritual preparation." Prayer must be the "boiler in the basement." You don't see it as you walk around the building, but without it, it makes for a cold lifeless structure. Prayer connects us in spirit to the Lord who saved us, and gives us the warmth and power that we need to do the "spiritual" works he has called us to.

Let's continue to expect great things from God and attempt great things for God!

For the Prize,
James Biesiadecki
Mission Pastor, Southern Hills Baptist Church