Classrooms, Charades, and Christ

An Eagles group sharing with a classroom of Brazilian high schoolers.

We made our first visit to a local high school on Monday morning. Our crew split into about five groups; each one had a translator, a presenter, a juggler, someone who could do 50 pushups, and supporters who smiled and prayed. We filed into classrooms and began to tell our story. After briefly introducing ourselves, a volunteer student was selected. The chosen student was given three tries to juggle a soccer ball as many times as possible. The student competed against (and lost to) the juggler of our group. As a punishment for losing the competition, the student had to complete 50 pushups. He or she was never able to complete the 50 pushups, and an Eagle came in and fulfilled the complete punishment for the student.

[[This represents what Jesus did for us on the cross. Because of our sin we are far from God and we deserve a punishment that we cannot fulfill. Because of God's love for us, he sent his son, Jesus to pay the cost that we owe and can never pay on our own. He didn't finish the part we couldn't complete, He did it all. Through faith in Jesus He offers us a way back to God, solely because He desires our joy and His glory. This is the story and truth we traveled across the world to share.]]

The presenter shared with the students this Good News and his or her own encounter with Jesus. Rowdy classrooms became silent. Scanning eyes locked on to the words of the translator. Connections and meaning stirred in students as they heard us speak. I think back to my first classroom: A timid and skeptical girl sitting at a desk in the middle of the room catches my eye. She uses a black and pink nike bag on her desk seemingly, but subconsciously, creating a safety barrier between her and us. I wonder her story. I wonder her thoughts. I don't know her name, but I ask for the Gospel to penetrate her heart, then and now.

All the time J spent in front of the television enabled this entire conversation.
 The Lord ordained and knew this would be.

After our groups visited multiple classrooms, high schoolers and Eagles met in the main courtyard. Students filled the area and flocked to interact and take pictures with us. The Lord brought a girl, J, who I met in my first classroom to me; she spoke English! Before long, our conversation grew to include a group of students and we began communicating and interacting together.

I ask J and the other students questions: names, ages, what they like to do. J learned English by watching movies and tv shows. One boy dreams of being an actor in Hollywood. We charades back and forth as we laugh and fumble between two languages. I use the translation time to think and pray for what to say next. None of the students play sports; that brings some angst, and defeat, and I wonder how to connect with them beyond these minimally significant questions. My mind races as I stand there with at least six pairs of young eyes staring at me.  I have five, maybe ten more minutes with the students before I probably never see them again. What do I say? What is worth saying? I feel a stumble in speech and a slight panic.

*   *   *

In my panic, I hear a subtle and kind "Why are you here?" For half a second, my mind zooms out of this conversation, and I observe the scene going on around me. Turkish, African, Indonesian, and American soccer players and coaches stand out in their red Eagles shirt. Brazilian children surround each of the red-shirted men and women. The men's coach leads a Juggling for Jesus presentation just behind the kids in front of me. What unites us? What brought us here?

*   *   *

As blank as my next sentence once seemed, the only thing worth saying came with purpose and peace. And joy, lots of joy. I ask if they know why we are here. Heads turn and look at each other hoping their answer is confirmed by the kid next to them. They hesitantly question more than answer with "..because of God?" I pursue the opportunity and find out that a few are church goers. One of the girls met Jesus through her parents' recent divorce. Another student says he wants to know God more. I'm led to ask, "Would you like to know how I came to know God?" A resounding yes and visible eagerness opened the door to share how Jesus captivated and changed my heart.

Jesus and His work on the cross filled the emptiness and shallowness of my conversation with these students. His transformational power ended the search for something weighty enough to speak before I left. The saving grace that God offers through Christ is the most worthy news to share. Suddenly and slowly, the reason for the trip, the heart of the group, and the purpose of me being there became distinctly clearer. The Lord revealed the weighty, valuable gift I have in Christ, and He gave me a heart to share it.

Joy struck in that moment. And it struck me deeply. I've never felt more in sync with the Lord's will. Glory to God.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. So don't be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me His prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. This has now been made evident through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." 2 Timothy 1:7-10