It is interesting to write here about International Emphasis week having just seen "The Diary of Anne Frank" this weekend in Stratford. The setting, of course, is an international conflict involving the violent project by the Nazi regime to invade Europe and to 'cleanse' those nations of races 'not fit'. It's a terrible chapter of our recent history, and I'm thankful that the telling lives on in stories like Anne's. In it, we witness the courage of a family who, like so many others at their own peril, chose to welcome in the stranger, despite difference of race, of religion, and native language. This act of 'WITH'-ness is inspiring for us even today.
During our International Emphasis week, we will investigate in a number of ways, how we walk 'WITH' others from various countries other than our own. We often get caught up in our own very familiar world where most of our neighbours are like us. The story of Pentecost is an interesting place to start. When the Holy Spirit came into the room and lived in each of the disciples, they did not speak one language to all of the international visitors to the city. "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages.." Acts 2:4
We began on Friday in chapel by watching a photo montage of people from all over the world. Students were challenged to look at the images and remind themselves that God so loved the world..... Christ died for all!
Students this week will be asked to listen to someone speak in a different language, and perhaps even learn a favourite song or Bible verse in a different language. In a real way, we will experience some of the wonder of that Pentecost here at Covenant: Acts 2:1b: "we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!"
Plugging in to the Spirit's power, we can shine as children of light, here in Smithville, and exploring the world.
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