The crisis pregnancy center has a group of women that have gone through a training to teach an abstinence course in local schools. I (Becca) missed that training while we were still in the US. Everything was lined up with the volunteers for the various schools and classes that wanted us to come and share, except one class-5B at the San Fernando public school. There was no one to teach that class on Monday mornings. So Stephanie Edgar (another SAM missionary) who's in charge of the crisis pregnancy center asked me if I would be willing to teach the class. My flesh was reluctant at first....though waiting until marriage was my decision and I believe it is right to do, I would be teaching to a group of 15-16 year olds in a rougher area of town at a school that I learned last year had its own prostitution ring. But there was no one else to teach them, so I accepted the challenge, hoping that at least one would decide on purity, but knowing even if not, that I was being obedient and that God would work in me regardless!
The course material is great! It covers so many reasons why waiting for sex until marriage is a positive alternative option: from adolescent pregnancies, financial responsibilities for a baby, STDs, emotional baggage, how to handle the pressure, healthy and unhealthy relationships. There were a lot of great activities for them to participate in, skits, games, and great dialogues to get them thinking. One thing I stressed to them every week was that they were at a place in life that their decisions that they make today can greatly alter their tomorrow, for good or bad.
It was rewarding after all. There were the select students who didn't want to participate, or who never smiled or interacted, and it made me wonder what was going on in their lives, what is their home life like? But most days I left the class excited and talking Marshall's ear off all the way home about the class. My second or third week there, I had one young lady follow me to the school doors sharing with me her heart, an experience she had, and asking my advice on what she should do in the future in that situation. It was a great talk and though her story broke my heart, I was also encouraged that she felt like she could talk to me.
This past Monday was our last class. Marshall and Simon joined me as the kids asked about them every week. It was a wrap-up of the course and the students had an opportunity to sign a pledge if they decided to wait to have sex until marriage. Though 5 raised their hands that day that they signed the card and decided to wait, 11 wrote that on the final survey of the class. What I wasn't expecting though was a good portion of them pleading for me to keep teaching and not to go. I received a ton of hugs that day!
Please pray with me for these 27 students, that they would make good decisions in their lives, not just about sexual activity, but in all areas.
.JPG)