Teaching for the future...

1 Timothy 4: 11-12 “Command and teach these things.  Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”  

I have always highly valued education.  Maybe it was watching my Dad work full time, while completing his college degree at night, that inspired me to complete my own Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.  Or perhaps it was when God led me to teach high school at PCA, and I saw how each student developed the gift God had blessed them with, and then graduated and went on to become a blessing to others. Now, after teaching my first year at UIS, I am deeply reminded again of the power of education. 

With this power comes great responsibility; to teach and learn the truth, through the lens of God’s word, and then to live it out in practical ways.  For these students, it means preparation for life back in their home countries once they graduate, or when their parent’s complete Bible translations in PNG.  For Papua New Guinean students, it is a firm foundation, that they might continue their education here or abroad and come back to serve and lead their country.  I see these students stepping up, setting good examples, and leading now,  and I am joyfully reminded of the Bible verse from 1 Timothy 4.  I don’t teach just so the students can gain present knowledge, however useful, I teach so they can become present and future Christ-like leaders in their nations and in the world.

Kathy accompanied her grade 7 class to serve at a church in Kainantu, where they were able to bless the PNG congregation with music and drama for a special children’s day service. 

First school year at UIS is accomplished

Kathy is so proud of all of the work accomplished by her students at UIS this year.  Whether it was the grade 7 and 8 students building and launching water bottle rockets, or the grade 10 students dissecting toads and rats,  all of the students put forth great effort.  She especially enjoyed working with so many students from different cultures and countries, and seeing them work together harmoniously.  She is preparing for the new school year now, and looking forward to meeting her new students already!

Above: Stacey, a grade 10 biology student, is enjoying her toad dissection, while Kathy helps  other students discover their ‘inner surgeon’.