Honegger March 2023

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24).

Back in January our high school physics students had the opportunity to design and build a bridge out of popsicle sticks, and then test how much weight it could hold. The bridges were evaluated not just on the total weight held, but the design features chosen and the ratio of the weight of the bridge to the weight it could hold. Pondering this fun science experiment in light of various difficulties I’ve been facing brought these questions to mind: Will my life hold the weight of challenge and suffering? What is my foundation? What shapes my choices? How would my students answer these questions?

Students testing their bridges with short-term missionary Don Jester. Excitement was running high! Will the bridge hold?!

“For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).

A few weeks ago, my coworker Amy shared about Rafiki at the church we attend, and we brought along some Rafiki residents who were eager to share their testimonies. Let me tell you about two students who have built their house on the Rock.

Gadissa (Grade 10) shared about the Rafiki Bible Study and how it has impacted him, “The Bible is my favorite book… The Rafiki Bible Study has helped me see Jesus in every book of the Bible… to see, love, and read every book of the Bible equally. It has helped me to know Jesus, not just know about Jesus. It has helped me make wise decisions in my life. The Bible is the love letter that we have gotten from our King, Jesus.” Gadissa is building his life on the truth of the Word of God, which will never lead him astray.

Yordanos (Grade 11) described some of the ways God has provided for her spiritually through Rafiki: “Before I came to Rafiki I never knew God, so I was in spiritual darkness. I didn’t have any hope… When I came to Rafiki I heard about Christ, and God gave me a loving family and people who cared about me… God taught me to forgive, and it was like He lifted a heavy load out of my life.” She even wrote part of her testimony as a song to the tune of “Rock of Ages,” a fitting tune for a young woman whose foundation is Jesus, “a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame” (1 Peter 2:6).

Gadissa and Yordanos testifying to God’s work in their lives, with missionary Sarah accompanying on ukelele.

So, how will my life, my students’ lives, and your life hold up under the weight of challenge and suffering? By building on the foundation of Jesus Christ, our trust placed fully in Him alone. May we, like Gadissa and Yordanos, live out this wisdom in every choice we make and proclaim it to others.

Me with Gadissa, Yordanos, and Meseret on our way home from church.

Prayer Requests

• Additional financial support, as I was recently informed that I have a large deficit in my funding.
• That I would set my hope fully on Christ and stand firm on that foundation through difficult situations.
• All students to desire to build their lives on Christ and trust that in Him they will never be shaken.
• A refreshing and joyful time during my visit to the U.S. this month.

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