Trying to fix a broken world
Hey friends and family! I want to give you a quick update on where I'm at right now. After getting back from the summer, I've been searching for a job. One friend I talked to suggested being an Educational Assistant, so in the beginning of September I applied for that. After the initial interview I wasn't hired so I kind of threw that option out the window. However, last week the school district called me back for another interview. It went well, and less than 24 hours later, I was working my first day at the Steinbach Junior High School. I was pretty pumped, I still am pretty pumped.
I just finished my first full week at school and MAN it's heartbreaking. The kids I'm working with were suspended for a fight that involved hospitals and court dates so this is by no means an easy task. I'm basically there to help these guys get through school without getting suspended. But just herding them from class to class and helping them get the right answers is so stale. These guys have rough worlds that they live in and I'm probably the only light that they can see. I feel like I have a tremendous, impossible task. I would call it a dream actually. I want to see these guys walking in light. I am totally not able to do this on my own and it's been ridiculously amazing to suddenly feel this wisdom enter me. I'll be faced with a tough situation and the Holy Spirit totally take the reigns. Something I would never think of pops into my head and diffuses this predicament.
The Junior High is pretty rough. I feel the same sort of darkness in there that I felt in India. There's this brooding blackness I see when I walk down the halls. The enemy clearly has a stranglehold on this school and dispite having an extraordinarily high percentage of believing teachers (my estimate is 50% +) , it doesn't seem to have a bright future. I remember going there myself as a student and it was super tough to get through and live Christ-like life as well. I can only see these troubled lives' potential in Jesus, and I can't let go of that, I'm aching to see their mindset changed from one of pride and self-fulfilment to one of humility and compassion. It seems totally impossible, but it's on my heart and I can't get it off. Can I count on some of your deliberate, consistent prayers to help me? I need an abundance of wisdom and love. Also pray for strongholds in this school to be shattered. Thank you so much! I love all of you, miss all of you, and can't wait to see you again!
Anticipating what God is going to do in broken places,
Joel
I just finished my first full week at school and MAN it's heartbreaking. The kids I'm working with were suspended for a fight that involved hospitals and court dates so this is by no means an easy task. I'm basically there to help these guys get through school without getting suspended. But just herding them from class to class and helping them get the right answers is so stale. These guys have rough worlds that they live in and I'm probably the only light that they can see. I feel like I have a tremendous, impossible task. I would call it a dream actually. I want to see these guys walking in light. I am totally not able to do this on my own and it's been ridiculously amazing to suddenly feel this wisdom enter me. I'll be faced with a tough situation and the Holy Spirit totally take the reigns. Something I would never think of pops into my head and diffuses this predicament.
The Junior High is pretty rough. I feel the same sort of darkness in there that I felt in India. There's this brooding blackness I see when I walk down the halls. The enemy clearly has a stranglehold on this school and dispite having an extraordinarily high percentage of believing teachers (my estimate is 50% +) , it doesn't seem to have a bright future. I remember going there myself as a student and it was super tough to get through and live Christ-like life as well. I can only see these troubled lives' potential in Jesus, and I can't let go of that, I'm aching to see their mindset changed from one of pride and self-fulfilment to one of humility and compassion. It seems totally impossible, but it's on my heart and I can't get it off. Can I count on some of your deliberate, consistent prayers to help me? I need an abundance of wisdom and love. Also pray for strongholds in this school to be shattered. Thank you so much! I love all of you, miss all of you, and can't wait to see you again!
Anticipating what God is going to do in broken places,
Joel
posted by Joel at 10:30 PM
3 Comments:
Joel! That is so awesome what God has you doing right now! What a job, what an influence!! so incredible man. You can definitely count on me to be consistently praying for you! Such a crazy, confusing yet so important age that these kids are at!
Hey Joel,
I'm not going to lie, this post really "oozed" your broken heart for these youth. You have dreams for their future, I can only say those dreams are from God! You've got the passion of Jesus' heart for broken people.
I'm excited to see how God uses you there. I'll be praying for you! I'll make sure to pray for big things and expect them!
God Bless Bro!
hey joel! great to hear about your heart breaking for these kids. keep up the enthusiasm and passion for what you're doing, i'll bring you up when i'm talking to the big guy for sure. thanks for the update :)
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