Becca's Blog: Graduation and Goodbyes

Graduation has come and gone and with it came a lot of goodbyes. Saying goodbye to this great group of seniors is bittersweet. I will truly miss hearing them sing in the hallway, telling them to go home when they sit and "study" for hours after school, coaching many of them, playing ultimate frisbee with them, getting to talk about what God is doing in their life, and of course talking about how much they love math (ok maybe a few of them :)). Their love for the Lord, their pursuit of justice, their eagerness to learn and apply what they're learning, and their fun spirit has left an impression on the school. While I will miss them, I am so eager to see the amazing things God has in store for their future and have been blessed to be a part of their lives even for a short year.

The actual graduation ceremony was such a unique and beautiful event. With only 22 graduating seniors, they were able to read a little about each student, the languages they spoke, their involvements, their future plans, and a verse that teachers picked for them that was also included in their diploma case. Our high school chaplain gave the commencement speech, which was powerful and so relevant to this specific group of kids. He challenged them to be "rebels" of the culture by choosing to seek the Lord and not the selfish ambitions that have become all the more prevalent in our generation. He spoke of Daniel, who was of great standing and intelligence in Babylon, but did not waver in His dedication to the Lord - which later led to the king declaring all people should worship Daniel's God! My prayer for these intelligent and talented students is that they will fervently pursue the Lord, that He may be praised throughout the nations!!

As a teacher, student goodbyes are an inevitable reality, but there was an extra layer of numerous goodbyes this year. About 1/3 of our teaching staff are also heading to new places all over the world. Though I have only been here a year, many of these people leaving are not just my coworkers, but have become dear friends. As one of them said, "ICSV is a community of grace." I have been so blessed by this community, not just of people you work with, but people you really do life with.

Thanks to this wonderful community of friends, to great students, to my incredibly supportive friends and family back home, and ultimately God's faithful hand, my first year at ICSV has been fabulous. I love teaching math (and seeing some of my students enjoy it as well), sharing my love for the Lord, running through the parks of Vienna, leading mission trips, learning about the different cultures and countries our students and staff are from, and continually seeing God's hand at work. He is teaching me more of humility, the purpose of prayer, and His faithfulness. May He be praised!

Psalm 67:1-4 May God be gracious to us and bless us, and make His face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among the nations. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy!