LCMS World Mission Blog

“One of my students and her family recently invited me and another missionary teacher, Beka, over to dinner because we teach their children. Her younger brother is in Beka’s E3 class. Recently, my students and I have been talking about following God and what holds them back from believing in Him. My student’s family has been Christian for seven years. A university professor took her father to church and they quickly became Christians afterwards. Her father asked Beka and me if it is hard to tell others about God in Taiwan where people seem to be more interested in and trying to ensure that their ancestors will have a home in the after-life. Beka and I answered that at times it can seem like we get nowhere. It can be discouraging and is often disappointing. But, we also said that for every 100 times we are disappointed, there is one instance where someone finally ‘gets it,’ and that makes all of the disappointment worthwhile.

“In class, we have been talking about following God and why that can be difficult for people, we began by watching a movie clip from the movie, ‘Transformers’ where two main characters have to make a decision about getting into a car. They don’t know what will happen after that, but the main character turns to another and says, ‘Fifty years from now, when you’re looking back at your life, don’t you want to be able to say you had the guts to get in the car?’ Then, we talked about the clip and read Matt. 4:18-20, where Jesus calls Peter and Andrew to follow Him and they simply drop everything to follow Him. Somewhere in our conversation, we got on the topic of idols and temples. One of the kids asked why it was so bad and why I believed in Jesus. It was such a great conversation after that and many kids spoke up. In order to keep the conversation in their minds and to really get a response from each student, I asked them a few days later to write on these two journal topics: ‘What is keeping you from believing in Jesus?’ and, ‘What do you think about Bible class?’ I also told them they could ask me questions.

“I was eager to read their journals and was brought to tears at some points. These fifth graders gave me honest answers and asked really good questions. Some of the students asked why I believe in Jesus and why I think idols are not real. Others said their families worship ancestors because it’s what they’ve always done. And still, others wrote that they like/love Bible class and want to learn more or are unsure of what to think anymore about their family practices. Two journals in particular struck me. The first answered ‘What is keeping you from believing in Jesus?’ This student and her family are those I mentioned above. She wrote, ‘I believe in God. My father and mother believe in God. Why did other people don’t believe in God. We can pray to Jesus anywhere. You can pray in the sea, in the sky, and in the ground. We need to talk many people to believe God.’ After reading her journal, I couldn’t help but be amazed at the faith this fifth grader has and what an example she is for her fellow classmates.

“The second journal was in response to their thoughts about Bible class. One of my boys wrote, ‘When I think of Bible class, I was very happy. Because I could see some movies about Jesus. And I can learn about Jesus. But I don’t know I was believe God or not. But I love Bible class.’ His journal gives me hope that he is open and willing to continue learning about God and that he is still questioning what he believes. Many of them seemed like they were interested and were beginning to maybe question what their families do. I was even told that one of my students asked her grandparents why they go to the temple.”

• Learn more about the mission work in Taiwan
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