This is my second year teaching 12th grade Contemporary Issues. In this class we talk about who we are, where we are going with our lives, do some college planning and work and plan for life after college. It really is a class that covers a wide variety of things, but hopefully gives seniors some tools to handle some things that they might face after high school. This year I am not the senior class advisor, but I asked if I could help with the senior retreat. This event is early in the year and is a time when the seniors look at their goals for the year. The senior class really impacts the atmosphere of the school year, and we ask them to consider what they want that to be like. Although I am not their advisor, I felt like I wanted to spend time with them since I have them in Contemp. I wanted to learn more about them as individuals and as a class. Casey agreed to go with me and help this weekend, and I am so thankful for that.
We started the weekend with a few games and then we went to dinner at a restaurant in town. We then went back to the school and particpated in a hands-on devotional about "Remembrance". Then we went up the mountain to the guest house. After we got there we watched the seniors light sparklers and take pictures and we laughed. I was so tired (I'm too old to stay up so late :)) that I laughed a lot and some of the antics of the seniors. I think I found it funnier than it probably was because I was so tired :). Around 11pm they started playing Korean slapping games. Stupidly, I joined in. I was too tired to think and react, so I gave up around 12.30 because I kept losing all the time and kept getting slapped. As I fell asleep I heard even louder and more brutal slaps!
The next morning we had a time of talking/planning about the year. This class is so excited about their senior year and is enjoying every moment. They don't want to live for themselves, but they want to encourage growth and unity in the younger classes. They also are so thankful for Mountainview and they want to thank and respect their teachers. I was really blessed by their positive outlook and their thankfulness. They have all had pain and difficulty and are all needing confidence in Christ---as we all are. I just appreciate their honesty so much and think they are beautiful people with incredible hearts. I am glad that I chose to spend those moments with them.
We then went further up the mountain to Treetop which is a ropes course place. It was raining buckets and was freezing. Then it let up and they decided to get started...and then the rain started again. They put on flimsy rain jackets and just went for it, but it was pretty soggy and miserable. Having nice weather would have made it way more enjoyable, but I think many still enjoyed themselves. What I like watching most is they way that senior classes encourage one another and help each other out when they do this activity. It's really neat. Then of course, when we were done, the sun came peeking out!
When we have a weekend like this, it really helps remind me why we gave our lives to this place and this ministry. I am so thankful that God has given us this opportunity to interact with these incredible young men and women from around the world (1 Costa Rican, 5 Americans, and 6 Koreans) who have grown up in another culture. I know that each of them is going to change the world and we get to be a part of that. This is a big responsibility we have, but an awesome one too. Please pray for them this year---that it will be a year of growth and that they will glorify God with their choices and will grow close to Him. Pray for them too as they prepare to go on from here. And, please pray for us as we minister to them.
