I have the opportunity to share my testimony with my students in so many ways. Last week, for example, Way-One started a discussion about love and marriage (which it seems to me he thinks is the most important thing in life.) However, I asked, “Way-One, what is your goal in life?” He said, “To be happy.” “Ok. There is only one thing that will make you happy.” “I know. God. And then having a wife, and a house, and a car…” “No! No!,” I shouted. “Only God, trust me.” Later that day (or week), he was up at the staff house and I was asking him whether he would go on his mission (Mormon) after high school because I haven’t heard him talk about college as much lately (he used to always talk about BYU). He said he was trying to be worthy. I wasn’t sure whether he meant worthy to go on the mission or worthy by going on the mission. Again, I said, “Nothing you do can make you worthy. There’s only ONE-WAY (his name!) that you can be worthy. Jesus Christ.” He says he knows, but he demonstrates that he believes Jesus Christ plus, plus. Also, he seems kind of…I don’t know, depressed? Searching?

Today, we had Cruz (Katie’s former student that got expelled) to the house. He was waiting for us when we came home from Logan’s 10 AM service, which we attended after Berea’s Sunrise service, egg hunt, and breakfast. I didn’t see the Betel Nut (at first), but he had that lime-powered stuff they use with it tied in a baggy around his finger. He came into the house and looked at some pictures from Mizpah’s Spring Banquet etc. He told us how he “loved” one of the senior girls and wanted to “marry her.” He said he would stop chewing, smoking etc. if He could be with her. We got into a discussion about betel nut, cigarettes, and marijuana. He said he was 12 when he started smoking and 13 when he started chewing. His older cousins and friends had told him to try it. I asked him whether he tended to do those things when he was bored or lonely. He shrugged and said no. Though, I think if he really thought about it, it would be true…afterall, he doesn’t do anything, but work and sit around chewing and smoking! Anyway, I shared with him that the reason I asked is because I used to do some of those things, but mostly it started because I was bored and lonely. I told him I had wanted to live the way that I wanted to, rather than the way that God wanted me to. Now, I know living His way is infinitely better!!! He smiled and laughed. He said girls always wanted boys to stop smoking and chewing. After a little while, we decided to watch a movie, but he really wanted to chew betel nut (at this time he produced a specimen from his hat). We told him he couldn’t chew betel nut inside or immediately outside of our house. He was so antsy and could hardly concentrate. He never did finish the movie. Man! I don’t want anything to control my life that much even if it isn’t a carcinogen!

So…continue to pray for Way-One and for Cruz.