Arise, Shine...The Light has Come!

Life with these students has a way of resurrecting us to new joy and energy.

This past week we hosted another "movie night", topped off with banana splits! The kids went bonkers over the ice cream covered in chopped nuts and chocolate syrup. The bananas were a gift from one of the students, a variety of miniature banana known as Royal bananas, because in ancient days only the king ate these delicious fruits.

We watched "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", which is already a favorite of many of these kids. They really get into the fantasy and adventure of it all. But this time, we told them the real meaning of this wonderful tale.

"Aslan is so powerful", one student proclaimed, "why didn't he fight the evil people? Why did he let them kill him like that?" Given the perfect opening to explain, we shared about the One who Aslan represents. "Someone had to die to pay the penalty for Edmund's traitorous act", Susan explained. "The Narnian Law demanded a sacrifice, and to show his great love, Aslan took Edmunds place." We watched their faces and saw the glimmers of understanding beginning to glow.

"Aslan's story reminds us of the most important day in the Christian faith", we added. "Just as Aslan came back to life and defeated the Witch, so did Jesus arise and defeat Evil.  That's why Easter, which we also call Resurrection Sunday, is so important! God loves all people so much, that he was willing to pay the penalty for our mistakes. And when He rose from the grave, evil was defeated!"

Just another fun night with students...a night when heaven opened and revealed new light and life in a way they can understand. Ahhh, but there's more!

One young woman, already familiar with the truth, has been deeply stirred by the movie. She is reconsidering things that others have shared with her, and wants to talk more with us. It's obvious that she is struggling with the next step. Here, in this culture, that decision is not so easily made. There are real consequences.

As you all celebrate the victory we were given on that 1st Resurrection day, please give thought to this young woman and all our students. may new life rise up in you this day!