Vision 2020. I can still hear the optimism and hope we had one year ago, many taking advantage of the convenient slogan to realign our focus, to readjust our goals in light of what God has called us to do. I can't help but wonder if that is exactly what we were given opportunity to do, though not in the way that we expected!
Making plans has taken on a new challenge, even in this new year. But in the midst of it, there is a sense of excitement and hope when we realize that neither the government nor the news headlines have the final say, but rather God Himself, who is above all things and who "works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Rom 8:28). We have seen Him working as we get ready for another school year.
In fact, there often comes a point about one month before classes are supposed to start where we as a staff wonder, "Will there be school this year?" It is due to the fact that, at that point, there are often few students who are actually registered (maybe two or three). Sure enough though, by the time classes are supposed to start, the registrations come in and we breathe a sigh of relief. (It is the same story every year - you would think that we would have gotten used to it by now!) Well, this year, we were again wondering, "Will there be school this year?" The reason for the question, though, was anchored in the current crisis that is affecting Mexico as much as any other country. Yet in the midst of all the uncertainty, God saw it fit to make sure that we wouldn't lose sight of what we are called to do: by mid-December we already had seven students officially registered, with a number of others in process of getting their applications in! Maybe it doesn't seem a like something big, but for us it was that boost that we needed, that confidence to help us to move ahead, even amidst all the uncertainty, and to see how God would take care of the rest.
In one sense, it not only causes us to depend even more on Him, but it also helps us to rethink what it is we are actually about as a school. There will be adjustments that need to be made (for example, students will not be heading out to different ministries on the weekends as they usually do), but one thing that has become clear, especially for myself in being directly involved with planning the program and the schedule, it is not the program itself that is the important thing. To clarify, the classes, the themes that are covered, the structure, these things are important. The time spent studying the Bible is of utmost importance. However, the way that all of this takes place, the details of the schedule, even which teachers end up being involved, etc., all of this comes under something else that we hold as of utmost importance: discipleship. What we tell our students is that discipleship is not a program (it is not a method or Bible study that someone is taken through, or even a program one attends). It is simply walking together with others as we follow Christ. There is a tremendous amount of flexibility and freedom when we primarily see the 14 weeks that we spend together in this light. Suddenly the details of how things need to work out fall into the background, because the key is not the product itself (ie. the program) that is offered, but the fact that we desire to intentionally walk alongside these students, centred around the study of the Bible, with the sincere desire that they will be strengthened in their walk, and so further empowered to help strengthen others.
To be sure, there still are details to figure out (I'm still trying to nail down some teachers and dates). But we are greatly encouraged to be able to move ahead. Thank you all so much for your continued prayers and support! In exactly two weeks we will embark on another journey with a new group of students. Pray for the students already as they prepare for their time here. Pray for wisdom for us as we make the necessary adjustments. Pray that nothing would impede us in fulfilling our VISION for this coming year. ¡¡Dios les bendiga!!
