Julie Williams

These verses are so true. In times when we feel weak and drained Christ gives us strength. When the trials and difficulties seem too great to overcome Christ carries us through them. The power and grace of our Lord is large. It truly is sufficient for me.

Over the past few weeks I have faced struggles with many of my students from last year, who are now second formers. I do not teach these students at all this year, so obviously I do not see them very much. Many of them have turned bitter because I do not spend more time with them and seem to be busy with my new students. It is a frustrating and difficult thing for me to deal with because of how much time I did pour into their lives last year. I struggle with my own feelings of resentment because they do not have a sense of appreciation for the time I did spend with them. I want them to know how much they have impacted me and how much they will always mean to me. But then I am reminded that none of this is about me and the thanks I think I should receive. Instead, I need to just continue to reach out to these students with love and not harbor my own feelings of resentment. Please pray that God would help me not to be discouraged with their attitudes and that God would change their hearts and these relationships would in turn be improved.

On the other hand, classes with the first formers are going wonderful. Midterm reports come out this Wednesday, and overall I have been extremely pleased with my first form students this year. They have shown interest in learning and have been very hard workers. We have begun our study of the continent of Europe now, and they seem to be enjoying it. They are a great bunch of new kids and really have added a lot to the school. I am so thankful to God for each of them.

Some exciting news is that Lacey Chable, a first form repeater student, accepted Christ about two weeks ago. She has been attending the Presbyterian Church in Corozal and has been curious and open to hearing about the things of the Lord. She came up to me after chapel two weeks ago and told me that she wanted to accept the Lord as her Savior. It was exciting for me to share the gospel with her as well as pray with her to accept Christ. Please keep her in your prayers as the newness of being a Christian wears off, and she is continually faced with trials and temptations.

I would ask you also to keep Cornerstone in your prayers regarding the school’s finances. At this point the school will be broke by December. The government subsidizes 70% of teachers’ salaries, leaving 30% of the salaries to be provided by the school. The students school fees are low, so the amount of income the school has nowhere near covers the amount needed to pay the remainder of the teachers’ salaries as well as pay for basic expenses of running a school, like electricity, water etc. We had a meeting this past week to try to put together plans of action in order to fundraise and work to gain extra funds. I know that God is a sovereign God and will provide for all our needs, but I also know that this is no excuse for us just to sit and wait until He brings the money to us. Pray that the teachers would have hearts that are willing to work. There is so much dependency on people from the states, and one of the first suggestions from the staff was to ask for donations from people in the states to help the school get out of this financial crisis. My desire is to see these teachers working together with students and their parents to raise this money themselves. I want to see them take ownership of this school and also, in turn, of its problems. Please pray for this issue- both that God would provide financially but also that teachers’ would realize the need that truly does exist and take responsibility for that need.

Life outside of school is going well. I am now involved in a woman’s Bible study on the book of James, which is beginning this coming week. I am excited to be involved in an English study again and have a way to be encouraged and to encourage other Christian woman- both Americans and Belizeans. I am continuing on with my Bible study on the book of John with Dora, Enrique and Gloria. We have continued to meet weekly, but our night of meeting has varied. Enrique and Gloria are in their senior year at the high school and Dora, who graduated last year, is now working in the Free Zone. It has been a bit tricky to plan around her work schedule and the other’s after school activities. It has been encouraging for me, however, to see them make Bible study a priority. One afternoon Enrique was extremely stressed and talking about what work he had to do, and when I suggested that we could cancel study if he needed he replied, “No Miss. Remember- God first and then our studies.” He put me in my place and reminded me of where my priorities should be! :-)

Living by myself has been surprisingly good. I have enjoyed the peace in the evenings and going home and just relaxing. It is nice to know that Erica is right across the street and if either of us needs anything we can just yell. I have been able to have students over on Saturdays to work on homework or extra assignments, which has been very profitable. In fact, a whole group of students just left the house a few minutes ago. The whole living situation continues to remind of how sovereign our God is and how He knows our needs before we even realize them.

I know I say this in every letter, but again, thank you for your support. My Internet has been down, so I apologize for not replying to many of your emails. But they are so encouraging to receive and also to hear of what God is doing in your lives. Thank you for keeping me updated.

Please continue to pray for me. Pray that God will continue to mold me and form me into the woman He wants me to be. Pray that He will continue to strengthen me in my weakness, showing me His grace and power.

In Christ,

Julie Williams

Julie Williams
Email: JWilliams9586@hotmail.com
Phone: 011-501-605-9936
MTW Personal Webpage: http://www.mtwla.org/people/jwilliams.htm
Address: P.O. Box 232 Corozal Town, Belize Central America