I don’t have favorite students… but if I did, the student I’m about to tell you about would definitely be on the list. She is a firecracker. She is full of energy, and full of joy. I taught her in regular chem last year, and again in AP Chem this year. We both know what it takes to make our curls pop, and have always been sure to complement each other when they do. I asked her permission before sharing her story… her only request after saying yes? “Only post pictures of me with the story if they’re good…” Well, I tried on that front, found one good one, and one okay 😉

I remember clearly sitting on the back porch of her dorm last fall, chatting about a tough situation going on. I kept trying to point the conversation to Christ, and at one point she said something along the lines of, “Ya know, I know all of this in my head, but I’m just not there.” It crushed me to hear her say that, but I knew that the Lord calls his to himself in HIS perfect timing, not in mine.

Fast forward through, well, every month of the school year and this sweet girl of mine was clearly struggling. Academically, personally, spiritually, you name it. Encouragement, and love were my game, praying for her and always trying to give her an extra smile when she came into my classroom.
Then came the war. The literal war.

Today was senior Sunday, and imagine my shock when it was this lovely who stepped up to the pulpit to preach.

After explaining the title of her expose was “Desperation for Christ” she read from Philippians 1:19 & following…

“Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.”

She began where the war began: Day 1. Her dad had left to travel across town the day the war broke out. As the “bad guys” took over, dad was stuck where he was while her, mom, and her 6th grade sister were locked in their home. One hundred meters away, the headquarters for said bad guys had been set up. In the African Desert with no water source, electricity, air conditioning, limited water supply, and limited food, their situation was desperate. They’d been told they’d be evacuated so the food they did have had been given to neighbors, escalating the danger of the situation.

Eight days and many hours of prayer later, mom proposed a plan. They were to walk to the Japanese Embassy. If they chose this course of action, they were on their own. This was not supported by those working from the other side of the ocean for their evacuation. They prayed and prayed, seeking confirmation from the Lord and on Day 9, went to unlock the door. They did not know if life or death awaited them on the other side of this door. Mom tried the door once, twice… it wasn’t unlocking. My student prayed, “Lord, if you are with us, please let the door unlock now so I know if we go, you will be there.” Click.

With only a backpack on their backs, they stepped out into the red zone. They began walking, passing one, two, three groups of militia with nobody even giving them a second glance. Praying every step of the way, they moved towards their goal. Until they were lost. They didn’t know where they were, or where they were going. Terrified and dejected, afraid of the violent men all around them, they were apprehensive as to their shock, instead of attack, the soldiers began to offer guidance. One man even volunteered to stay with them until they arrived at their destination. He guided them through the war zone, until finally they reached the Japanese Embassy. Before parting, the soldier gifted them with two large bags of food. Water, juice, dates, yogurt. She shared Psalm 23:5, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies… my cup overflows.”

She felt this verse as the people meant to be her enemies gave them the very things they needed for survival, food, water, and direction.

She read again from Philippians 1-

“For to me to live is Christ, to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.”

The deliverance they thought on the other side of the gates of the embassy was not to be found. The Japanese had already fled themselves leaving an empty building behind. Standing at the gates, there was no choice but to go on. To return to their home meant certain death. The hotel across town where their dad was became the goal. A dangerous choice no matter where they turned, they decided to walk through the night across the war ridden city. They began their journey, and wouldn’t you know it- the same man who walked them to the embassy got out of the vehicle passing by and asked what they were doing- hadn’t he already brought them to safety?

Surrounded by militia, including men in high rankings, my student was not unaware of the danger. The reputation of this militia group espoused nothing but violence and treacherous acts. That these three women were being treated with nothing less than dignity and respect did not escape her notice. God was at work in the lives of these people. They’re being called to him, even in the middle of an unimaginable circumstance. They found themselves in a car with tinted windows surrounded by over forty militia- the high-ranking officers included as they were driven across town. The roadways cleared before them as they pulled up to the hotel.

Hot, smelly, emaciated and weak, she was greeted with the words “We’ve been waiting for you, we are so glad you’re here.” as they climbed out of the back of the car.

“I am hard pressed between the two, my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus.”

They had made it to the first step of safety. As she ran to her dad, he embraced her with the words, “I am so glad you are here now so I can keep you safe.”

This, she said, is how God embraces you when you run to him. She recounted how just a few months before, she had been living for herself, not seeking Christ, and making choices that strained her relationships with her parents. Her dad remembered none of that as she ran to his arms. He just had love. He just wanted to keep her, hold her close, and provide safety around her. This is what our heavenly Father desires for us- to hold us close, to draw near to Him in relationship, and to rest in his embrace.

As she was in the active war zone, she had a desperation for Christ she has never experienced before. She knew He is the only one she needed and wanted in those moments, and she shared with us her desire that we would desire the same, but that maybe for us, it won’t take living through a war to answer His call and voice.

Prayer Points

• Would you pray for the Nation of Sudan? That through the war, God would call more and more souls to himself, using this thing intended for evil to bring about good instead?
• Would you pray for my student? That she would continue to seek Christ, grow in him, and bring others to Christ through her story?
• Would you pray for all the seniors as they have just over a week left before grad, a bittersweet time as they have exciting new horizons, but sadness in leaving behind this place that has been home for many of them?