Baptisms and Rebellion

A teacher sees the great controversy played out in her classroom.

Sundays were becoming a bit of a problem on our school campus. Many of our teenage students spent the day in idleness, getting into trouble with their teachers and amongst themselves. Feeling that a change of schedule was needed, I confidently walked into the classroom of 45 students one morning with my new plans.

“On Sunday mornings you are expected to work in the garden,” I announced cheerfully. “In the afternoon, wash your clothes and prepare for the next week of class.”

The unruly teenagers protested for two hours, unwilling to comply with such “unacceptable changes” to their Sunday leisure. Even the ones who had demonstrated no interest whatsoever in God suddenly demanded the free exercise of their rights to attend church on Sundays.

“Lord, deliver me please,” I begged as the students continued to complain.

Suddenly, one of the boys interrupted the flow of anger. “Listen,” he demanded. “If God had taken the time to present the Ten Commandments to the children of Israel before implementing them, He would have had the same reaction we are having now. Quit complaining—this is the new timetable.”

With that, I wished the perplexed students a good afternoon and returned home in exhaustion and concern. Some of the students had hinted that they would leave the school if forced to follow the new timetable.

“Lord, you know that the devil is powerfully at work,” I prayed. “Some of these students will make a decision for you in the next few months after studying Bible prophecy in class. Please do not allow any students to leave the school.” As I turned the pages of my Bible, I felt His Word speak to me.

The next morning, I cheerfully greeted our 45 angry students. “The Lord directed me to a beautiful story yesterday, and I need to share it with you.” We spent two hours reading the sad story of the Israelites and their rebellion against God. The students showed deep interest as we talked about His mercy. At the end of the class, a student said, “Ah! Madam, we are now seeing our hearts—rebellious and always complaining.”

One week later, I crossed paths with one of the leaders of the rebellion. “Madam,” he said sheepishly. “I am sorry for the way we young people are. You know, this timetable is actually wonderful. It is good for us. Please do not change it.”

While tempted to feel discouraged at times, we continued to study and pray with the students. Just before graduation, twelve decided to give their hearts to the Lord and be baptized. Among them was Given, a boy who had seemed to care little for the truth in the Bible. After his baptism, I asked him why he made this decision. “I do not want to resist God,” he explained.

What a wonderful answer to prayer! The Lord has led our students on a journey from rebellion to baptism.


Location
Tanzania

Author
Nadege Vande Voort and her husband Elisha operate Eden Valley Foster Care Mission, a trade school for underprivileged youth in Tanzania. You can reach them by emailing harvester2188@gmail.com. Their address is Box 17, Mafinga, Iringa, Tanzania.

How You Can Help
Pray for heavenly wisdom to be imparted to Nadege as she interacts with her students and leads them to Christ and discover His power to overcome.

Give to Elisha and Nadege’s mission in Tanzania by marking your donation “Eden Valley Foster Care Mission” and sending it to:

Outpost Centers International
5132 Layton Lane
Apison, TN 37302

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