South Africa 2014

Smithville Christian High School students who travelled to South Africa over March Break said they were overwhelmed by the love they received from the students at Theocentric Christian School.

At this week's chapel, members of the South Africa team led in worship and shared stories and photos of their experiences.

They began with singing "My Redeemer Lives" and then Shannon B. shared how much she enjoyed the unstructured life of "South Africa time." She said Smithville Christian alumnus, Devon Van Hoffen, who is currently working in South Africa, told her before she left to "expect to see God everywhere."

Shannon said it's true. She saw God throughout her experiences on the two-week trip and  "I see God here in you."

Then she quoted Isaiah 40:31, and said an eagle's wings allow it to soar above the storms of life. She quoted a pastor in South Africa who said God uses our messes to become messages, and our tests to become testimonies.

Hear Shannon, and listen as the South Africa Team leads in singing "He Reigns."

Kristen A. talked about how the team members grew closer through their experiences together.

The team led in singing "Just As I Am/Jesus Take All of Me."

Adam V. said he also saw God everywhere, and that the students felt "God had his hand on us." The team led in singing "Our God is Greater."

Hear Adam, and listen as the South Africa Team leads in singing "Our God is Greater."

Nico D. said two of the team's theme songs were "Break Dividing Walls," which spoke to them of racial integration, and "Victor's Crown," which spoke to them of the power of being Christ-followers.

The team members shared a series of photo collages, and described some of the highlights of their experiences. They also showed video highlights of their daily work at Theocentric Christian School.

Watch the South Africa Team's daily video highlights.

We continue to pray for the students and staff at Theocentric Christian School, and they are continuing to pray for us! What a joy it is to experience the unity of the Kingdom of God. Our God is, indeed, great!

Tuned In

Spiritual life director Gord Park was driving to school one day last week and it was like Battle of the Bands in his car.

His wife had left the radio tuned to Christian radio station WDCX, he told students at this week's chapel,  and a praise song came pouring over the airwaves. But at the same time, he could hear strains of Queen's "Killer Queen," a rock anthem from the 1970s, competing for his attention.

Then, as his car crested the Niagara Escarpment, the signal became clear and it was all Jesus.

"Our lives are like that," Park told students. "What the radio is tuned in to, that's what the radio is receiving."

We can choose what we want to be tuned in to, he said.

And even if our radio is tuned in to Jesus "that doesn't stop other things from coming at us at the same time," Park said.

Park told two Holy Week stories from the Gospel of Luke: the story of the blind man who tells Jesus he wants to see and the story of Zacchaeus who climbed a tree to see Jesus.

Both men intentionally positioned themselves to receive Jesus, Park said. The blind man said he wanted to be healed and Zacchaeus made sure he could see. The lives of both were radically transformed.

"We all have the opportunity to receive what Jesus has for us but we have to position ourselves to receive," the students were told.

How do we do that?

"As students at this school, through the support and guidance of your parents, you have been put into a position to see Jesus every day," Park said. "When Jesus passes by Zacchaeus, he sees a heart ready to receive him.

"Put yourself in the tree."

The blind man called out to Jesus, and just like him, "Jesus will ask you daily, 'What do you want?' "Park said. We can ask Jesus for sight, not just physical sight but spiritual sight.

"Jesus' heart's desire is to meet you daily," Park told the students.

"I want to challenge you to be like Zacchaeus.

"Go climb a tree. It's a way of saying your heart is in the right place."

Park closed in prayer, asking for the Holy Spirit to help each one understand what it means to be in a position to see Jesus clearly, and to recognize the significance of calling out to God.

A student praise team led in worship and Scripture reading, sharing from Ezekiel 36 and from Psalm 121.

Ezekiel 36: 25-27

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

Worship included Everlasting, Just As I Am/Jesus Take All of Me, Same Love, Here I Am to Worship, and The Stand.

  

South Africa Continued...

     It's been a busy week for us here in South Africa. We spent the weekend resting up and recuperating from our long travels. On Sunday morning we traveled to a church; the team was excited to hear and see how the African people worshiped. we knew it would be amazing. What we imagined was completely incorrect -- it was a small and cluttered schoolroom and the congregation was mainly made up of children. It was so humbling to be around people with so little resources, yet they still worshiped like they were the most blessed people in the world. Our team sang some praise songs for them and then they took a turn.

      The rest of the day was spent by pool... it's definitely everyone's favorite thing to do here. The weather has either been very hot or raining. For Mr.VandenBoogard, this is his first trip with more than one day of rain, but we are enjoying ourselves regardless!

       Monday was our first day at the school, Theocentric. It was raining when we arrived and so we had to wait to meet all of the students. We taught our bible story and craft, gave a mini-lesson about Canada and made new relationships with the staff and students.

     Each day at the school, we are overwhelmed by the amount of students who just want to be as close to us as possible -- we are getting trampled and bombarded, but we really don't mind. We also led the children in games and sports, and this morning (Wednesday) we were invited to attend their morning devotions which consisted of singing and dancing for God. The countryside here is beautiful, the people here are welcoming, and we are truly blessed as a team.

Travel Days: Canada to South Africa

After we said our goodbyes to our families on Wednesday, we left Grimsby for the Toronto airport. Our flight to Paris was smooth and we landed in Paris at about 8 AM Paris time (2 AM Canada time).

Once we grabbed our metro passes, we were well on our way into the city of Paris.

We went to the Louvre, toured around and saw the Mona Lisa. After this we walked to the famous "lock bridge" where millions of couples in love have locked up their love and tossed the keys into the Seine River.

We made our way to the Eiffel Tower and on our way, we walked through a market where we ate lunch. We could not have asked for better weather to be walking through the beautiful city of Paris: some of us even got burnt! Then we arrived at the Eiffel and worked up a sweat making our way up to the second platform of the tower. It was a beautiful view and pictures are to follow shortly.

Our last stop was the L'arc de Triomphe. We made our way back to the airport and freshened up before our long flight to Africa.

For most of the team, this flight was the first time we got to sleep in about 36 hours, and we were very grateful to safely land in Africa and to have real food rather than the food offered on the plane! All of us were relieved to have our luggage arrive and then we packed the vans up and were off for another long, 5-hour drive to the cottages.

The drive was beautiful and warm. We were amazed at the beautiful landscape of Africa. We made one stop for food and continued to the cottages. Being cramped up in the hot vans offered a perfect team bonding time; we are all getting pretty close with each other!

We finally got to the cottages and were relieved to have an abundance of delicious food and a warm welcome from our very friendly host, Thea. While some of us relaxed by the pool, others relaxed with games of poker or chatting with the team. We were able to settle into our cottages and for the first time we were all very happy to shower after about about 72 hours of long hot travelling.

This morning we were all able to sleep well into the morning and while waiting for our "brunch" we decided to update the families at home! We are all really looking forward to the week to come and are anticipating a great time here.

Pictures are to follow this blog as soon as we can and our next update should come throughout the middle of the week!

 - From the Africa Team 2014!

Saying farewell at school.

Saying good-bye in Grimsby.

Bad habits

The only way to break a bad habit is by being thankful to God, said spiritual life director, Gord Park.

Park told students at this week's chapel that thoughts lead to actions which lead to habits which lead to lifestyle.

Park said some people tell him he has a habit of running his hands through his hair: "something I don't do," he insisted.

But something we do "becomes a habit when you don't think about it anymore," Park said, whether it's something good like giving back extra change, being forgiving, or sharing with others, or something bad like blaming others, lying, reacting in anger or "going to those websites." 

"The true measure of your life is what you do when you are out of control," Park said, "what you do without thinking."

"The average age here is 16 and you are at the age where thoughts, actions and habits are being born," Park told the students.

And when we find ourselves developing bad habits we may decide we want to stop, he said.

Park showed a video clip of  comedian Bob Newhart, as "Dr. Switzer," offering help to a patient struggling with irrational fear. "Stop it," Newhart advises his patient.

But it's not that easy, Park said. Although Ephesians 4 says we have to "put off our old selves" that's an overly simplistic view unless we "live in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus," he said.

"If you don't bring the truth of Jesus to undergird it, it is not going to help because doing it in your own strength will fail," he said.

In Ephesians 5, Paul describes numerous "bad habits" but the solution Paul prescribes is "thanksgiving," Park said.

Thanksgiving allows us to focus on the word of God, on our relationship with Jesus and on the fact there is no condemnation in Christ, he said.

"When I try to 'stop it' in my own strength, I am putting myself on the throne of my life, and it's all about me," he said. "Stopping and putting on something new only happens through thanksgiving."

Park said the students who are enrolled at Smithville Christian High School are there because their parents and families know the truth of God's promises and know "those promises are for you."

"You are here to make someone else's day better," he said. "The whole point of being a Christian is not to get to heaven, but to bring heaven to earth."

A student praise team led in worship with Mighty to Save, Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) and I Am Not Ashamed.

Pray for the Persecuted Church

Today's chapel focused on the freedom we enjoy to practice our faith and on prayer for those Christians in the world who do not have the same freedom.

Bible teacher Neale Robb shared some facts and stories about Christians around the world, showing video and audio clips from Christians in places like North Korea, Kazakhstan, Africa, India or Pakistan, who had been persecuted, beaten and tortured for their faith.


Robb said persecution is the mistreatment of an individual or group because of their faith. He said it is estimated that there are more than 250 million Christians in 130 different countries who are persecuted. Persecution includes acts of hatred, second-class citizenship, job discrimination, forced conversion, imprisonment, torture, rape and death.

Visit the Voice of the Martyrs website to view some of the videos we watched.


Voice of the Martyrs


Robb also shared scripture passages about persecution.

Matthew 24:9 Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.

Mathew 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

John 15:20 Remember what I told you: If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.

Matthew 5: 43-44 You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

Romans 8:35, 37 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

After chapel, students prayed for persecuted Christians in their homeroom classes, with prayer suggestions for Christians in Burma, India, Bangladesh and Nigeria.

Some of the prayer requests include:

Pray for Christians living as religious minorities, that they would not be overcome by a spirit of fear, and that they would be encouraged and affirmed.

Pray for those who choose to lead the persecuted church.

Pray for children who are persecuted for their faith, that the Holy Spirit comforts them in their time of need.

Pray for the freedom of young girls who are trafficked into the sex trade and for the abolition of sex trafficking around the world.

Pray for believers who are challenged to compromise their faith.

We also listened to "City on a Hill" by City Harmonic. Watch the video here: City On A Hill

And Mr. Robb also told a few jokes.

He said that over the Christmas holidays he spent some time reading the Bible, and one of the stories he read was about Boaz. That got him wondering about the character of Boaz, especially about his character when he was a young man, before he married the widow, Ruth.

"Do you know about his character?" Robb asked. "He was ruthless."

Robb also said that when he was a young pastor he once went to pay a visit to the home of a member of his congregation. He knocked several times on the door, and although he was pretty sure someone was home, no one ever answered. Finally, before leaving, Robb left his business card in the mailbox with a Scripture reference noted on the back: Revelation 3:20.

Robb said the following Sunday, the parishioner left his business card in the offering plate, also with a Scripture reference on the back: Genesis 3:10.

Revelation 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in.

Genesis 3:10 I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.

Resisting temptation

We all face temptation, students were told during the final chapel of spiritual emphasis week. The way to resist temptation is to use the word of God, and the best way to have the word of God at the ready is to memorize it, said Pastor Wes Collins.

When Jesus faced temptation early in his ministry, he quoted Scripture, Collins told students, reading the story of Jesus in the desert from Matthew 4.

"And what happens when Jesus quotes Scripture?"  he asked. "Satan is silenced."

 

Collins said it word of God is powerful and good, but it's not useful to us if we don't have it at the ready.

"Jesus memorized it, and if Jesus memorized it, that maybe makes me think we should make this practice more relevant in our lives," Collins said.

Take time to put the word of God in your head and in your heart, he said.

Collins used students Jake and Sam to act out two scenes in which students faced temptation.

 

Collins said a practical way to memorize Scripture is to jot a verse down on a card and keep it in your pocket.

"When you get some time, take it out and look at it," he said. Eventually it works its way into your head and then into your daily life.

"A verse will come to mind, just when you need it at the right time," he said. "God has given you the tools. The question is, are you going to use them?

This is not a task on your to-do list, this is about a relationship," he said. "The reason we don't forget about God is that he has not forgotten about us.

"Jesus died on the cross for your sins and you stand holy in the sight of God."

Today's memory verse: Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17.

A student praise team led us in worship with Indescribable, Everlasting and My Redeemer Lives.
 

Each afternoon during spiritual emphasis week, students gathered in small groups after lunch, each one led by a pair of Grade 12 students. They watched a short video together and then participated in a discussion. Here are the discussion questions from today:

1. How does Satan tempt us?

2. What did Satan tempt Jesus with? 

3. What did Jesus do in response?  

4. How was Jesus able to respond immediately with Scripture verses (and no iPod)? 

5. What do you think of memorizing Scripture?  What are the benefits?  What are the difficulties?

6. Has your understanding of God’s word changed over this past week?  If so, how?