“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him ‘Lord teach us how to pray just as John taught his disciples’. Luke 11:1 (NIV)
I was recently on an educational professional development field trip with eight of my students in Ecuador. We visited coffee, banana, and cacao plantations; learned more about rose production and general tourism; and met with alumni. I was on an academic high as students expanded their knowledge and worldview perspective.
One evening, my students broached a topic not covered by our trip: Christianity. Some of my students knew I was a Christian. I had devoted my best efforts to mentoring and guiding all of my students. I had hoped that their experience with me would lead them to a positive view of Christianity.
Unfortunately, the nature of the discussion focused on their negative views of evangelical Christians and the current presidential administration. Several students expressed that closed-minded Christians were responsible for all of society’s current ailments. I tried nuancing their view but without success.
To these students, “evangelical” was a dirty word.
With that less-than-favorable view of a segment of Christ’s community, I was more than a bit discouraged during my evening prayer time. Alone in my room, I prayed that the students would continue to feel like I was a safe person to talk with and that they would experience Christ’s love through me.
Several days passed and the academic portion of the trip was going well. I didn’t expect the ‘Christ connection’ to re-emerge. Perhaps it was for the best. But then, it happened again. I was eating lunch with two of my students and one of the students asked me, “Why do you pray?” and “What is baptism?”
The student asking these questions was international, and not from a country where religion is widespread or encouraged. I was grateful for this open door and for the opportunity to share aspects of my faith with these two students. I could see that, despite the earlier negative conversation, Christ was still at work revealing himself to these students through me. God had answered my prayer.
Looking back, I am thankful that my students were comfortable sharing with me their heartbreaking perspective of the ‘villain’ evangelical Christian. I disagree with this viewpoint of Christianity, but Christ utilized this opportunity to bring about additional spiritual interest and candid, honest conversation.
The trip allowed for these conversations in a way that the classroom sometimes hinders. It was while traveling together, eating together and spending full days in company together that the Spirit guided these students to open up. It’s a lesson that I took back to the States and take into my prayer time: how can I continue to connect with students outside the classroom?
These trips are precious times for students to connect with us as people and, I pray, see Christ.
Amanda Hodges
University of Florida