“Do you believe in God?”
That was the question that 5th grader Theresa asked 4th grader Belle (Class of 2012) when she first came to Grace International School.
Growing up in a Thai Buddhist home, Belle did not understand why her teachers and peers would openly discuss Bible stories. One day on the playground, Theresa asked Belle if she was a Christian. Thinking that being a Christian was the same as being Thai, American or Korean, Belle answered, “No”. Theresa’s next question caught Belle by surprise. “Do you believe in God?” “Yes,” Belle replied, although she didn’t know why she said it. This prompted Theresa to tell Belle more about Jesus. Theresa would bring worksheets from her parents and together the two studied the Bible on the playground. Sometimes other friends would join in the discussion. In time, parents of one of those friends invited Belle and her mother to church. Eventually both Belle and her mother welcomed Jesus into their lives and. Belle was blessed to receive her first Bible from Theresa.
Belle reflects, “Looking back, it’s pretty amazing that a 5th grader took the initiative to share the Gospel with someone and even took the responsibility to shepherd them. It shows that you can never be too young to do God’s work. I’m thankful that Grace’s unique setting allowed my mother and I the opportunity to know Jesus. The staff at Grace helped me grow in my walk with God through Bible studies, a Biblically integrated curriculum, chapels, and by being there when I needed them.”
The children of international Christian workers make up 90% of student enrollment at GIS. This means 10% of Grace’s students come from families like Belle’s who may not be Christian. Grace’s reputation for excellence in education draws in non-Christian families where they are given the chance to hear the Gospel and experience the love of Christ firsthand. Because of Grace International School, Belle and her mother were able to find Christ.
