As pastor and I sit talking the night before we are scheduled to go and talk to Tabani High School, we review all the points that he would like for us to speak about. After about a thirty minute discussion with pastor, I tell him that it sounds great and I’ll relay all the information to the team! The team decided that Sam and Priscilla were going to talk, as they felt that they both wanted to! I had informed pastor of who was prepared to speak, as he said just have everyone prepared to possibly say a little something! I say “Ok, no problem!” not really thinking anyone else will really have to say much except possibly their name and what they do back home!
So we all gather in the Land Rover heading to this school which is about an hour and a half away. Pastor was driving, I was sitting in the middle, a lady from the church was to the left of me and the rest of the team along with some others were all crammed in the back of the truck! As we drove to this school through so many dirt roads I swear I thought we were lost about ten different times. I’ve never seen so many back roads in my life, and I grew up in the country, in Texas! But believe it or not after the long hot ride out of the middle of nowhere appears this school. I was so relieved to finally be there as I stepped out of the truck soaking wet from sweat dripping down my body.
After meeting some of the faculty over the next thirty minutes it was time to go and see the kids! All the students stared at us as we approached for many of them have not seen a white person! They had about 200 chairs set up under two big trees. The Principal informs the students that the Americans will sing a couple of songs, one will minister to them the word of God, and then they will open up the forum for a question and answer session. After that pastor takes over to introduce each one of us, going down the line introducing the team by name and profession. As he announces my name he tells the students “This is Austin Anglea, he’s a school teacher and he will be the speaker for the day!” As I sit there I think to myself “You have got to be kidding me, I am not prepared to talk to these kids!” But I also do not have a choice! As the rest of the team gets up to sing a few worship songs, I’m talking with the Lord telling him “Lord I need a message…..and fast!!” While the team was performing their songs it began to pour rain- everyone scatters into the building as we try to wait out the rain…..but it continues. After about 20 minutes of waiting these 200 some kids pack themselves into a classroom! We enter and after two more worship songs it was time to speak!
So as I begin to preach, The first words out of my mouth were……. “I’m going to talk to you today like I wish somebody would have talked to me when I was your age.” I became extremely real with the students as I talked about how I know what it’s like to be a high school student, with the struggles and temptations! How you have all heard something about this Jesus but have all chosen to obey the desires of your flesh instead! The message evolved in to DON’T LEAVE JESUS BEHIND…………… That was the jest of it. I talked a little bit about my testimony and how I know what it’s like to feel like they feel and desire what they desire! But basically finished by saying it’s either JESUS or nothing!
