But God, the Author of creativity, has not left it up to us to find the perfect means to reach our students. As is so often true, God uses our efforts and greatly multiplies them for results that we could never imagine, using a variety of means. In the Education program at World Relief DuPage, these means have included volunteers, Bible story times, teachers and even other students.

 

     One key to the success of World Relief DuPage's ESL classes is the selfless contribution of our volunteer classroom aides. Our volunteers can reach out to our students in unique ways because of one-on-one time spent together. "I was told by my volunteer that one of my Afghani students was baptized in her church two weeks ago," a teacher shares. "That's great news!" One of our volunteers last spring partnered with World Relief to donate Jesus videos to all students interested, in each of their own languages. One teacher explains, "a student from Vietnam has asked for a video of 'Jesus' in his own language and seems genuinely interested in learning about Jesus." Another teacher shares, "I've also heard reports back from my students that they watched the Jesus film and thought it was wonderful. One Afghani student  got an English copy and watched it nine times." Three hundred and fifty students signed up to receive a Jesus video!

 

     Each year, World Relief teachers have committed to providing students with a weekly Bible Story time during extended, Thursday coffee breaks. Teachers and volunteers act out a Bible story, while the students watch and listen. Once in a while, those involved have the privilege of seeing the amazing things God is doing in the lives of students as a result of the dramatized Bible stories. One teacher expounds:

 

On Thursday,  Diane Brown talked about how Jesus can fix our problems. I was not feeling well that week and three of my students decided to pray for me because they learned that God will answer our prayers and "fix our problems." I was surprised at their willingness to pray for me and apply what they've learned in the story.

     Another teacher offers an account of his student's surprising comment during class:

 

We were making TV commercials for a class activity, and one of the two teams chose to do an interview/testimonial style spot. While brainstorming about the various "selling points" of World Relief's English program (child care, making international friends, improving one's life situation, etc.), a middle-aged Muslim student from Iran gave his reason as, 'Because they have a Bible story time every week, and I want to learn more about Jesus.'

 

     While verbal accounts of Bible stories have obviously affected students' lives, sometimes God uses our teachers in creative, nonverbal ways. One teacher shares an example of how her lifestyle impacted one of her students:

 

One of my Muslim students offered me a cookie she made. Because I had given up sweets and desserts for Lent, I politely refused. She asked why, of course, and it opened up doors for speaking of Christ and his sacrifice. We talked about Christianity and Islam and she began asking questions, even asking if we could continue the discussion again.

 

     Although it is often our teachers who have the opportunity to impact their students, God is not limited to reaching students through World Relief staff. Sometimes He even uses other students. A teacher offers the following account of a student who shared with her classmates (the name has been changed):

Marian is from Iran. Her husband is in Germany and she is trying by any means available to have him join her here in the States. I had invited my students to bring pictures of their family to class�The photos Marian brought in were of herself, her husband and the pastor who baptized them in Germany. I watched as Marian explained her Christian background to the rest of the students, and how this pastor and his family had helped and loved her and her husband. Later in the foyer, Marian showed and explained the photos in more detail with some Afghani women with whom she shares the Farsi language�Her situation is very hard, but her faith in the Lord just shines from her eyes when she speaks of him. It's a wonderful thing to watch as the students have another example of God's love in the life of a young Iranian woman.

 

     So, how can students be reached with Christ's love when simply sharing about God in the classroom is not possible? Based on the above accounts, it is obvious that we do not have to answer this question on our own. It is so humbling to see how God is working among our students and classes to make Himself known. Whether by means of volunteers or Bible stories, teachers or other students, God is not limited to the conventional or the obvious. For this reason, we at World Relief are honored to be part of God's greater purpose.