For many students, the month of May signals the end of the academic year, the highlight of which is promotion to the next grade or graduation. This year will be remembered as extraordinary because of the coronavirus that undermined normal stability and routine.
The president of the Inter-European Division (EUD), Mario Brito, shares a personal message with all young people called to face this important moment in their educational journey. In his communiqué, Brito confirms his complete trust in young people, assuring them that no obstacle can prevent their transition from the life of school to the school of life. You can watch Brito’s message here.
The Director of Education for the EUD, Marius Monteanu, also offers encouragement to all students who are, in this period of the year, working hard to carry out their tasks in such a different scenario.
“Friends, we most likely know each other. More than caring for my professional responsibilities, I am the father of an 18-year-old daughter in the 11th grade in high school, confined at home since March 13. I just attended a board meeting at one educational institution in Europe and it was crystal clear to me that both school leaders and faculty members miss you very much!
As for you, after almost two months in reclusion, you do miss many aspects with regard to your school, don’t you? You would hardly have ever imagined that one day you could long for school, but it happens. You and your colleagues are writing history these days.
And since you will be a reference point for years to come, I gently encourage you to make the most of every ‘school’ day, to cast your burdens upon Him and to commit your ways to His Almighty power. Since the last thing you need now is a sermon, I simply and heartily encourage you to push the envelope! Let your colleagues know that the only way to check God’s strength is to courageously face and to boldly conquer the difficulties! See you next school year!”
Director of Education at the General Conference World Headquarters, Lisa Beardsley-Hardy, expresses her appreciation to the teachers, students and their parents. You may watch her video message here.
Beardsley-Hardy says, "Thank you, teachers, for what you are doing to take the rich learning environment of the classroom and package it in new ways, so that students can learn at home by the internet, by classroom management systems, by Zoom, and by the phone.
And thank you, students, for your patience, and the enthusiasm that you bring to learning in this new modality. Parents, thank you for bringing and entrusting your sons and daughters to Adventist education and, thereby, bringing them to the foot of Christ."
EUD Youth Director Jonatan Tejel has a special message of his own for the youth: “My dear young people… I still remember when I was a student and the struggles I went through, many difficult situations that I had to face during that time… I would like to send you a word of encouragement.
I don’t know what your personal situation is right now: maybe you’re going through suffering, maybe you’re stressed, maybe someone close to you passed away, maybe you’re in a difficult relationship, maybe… maybe… maybe… Let me tell you that, in my experience, at any moment in my life in which I felt overwhelmed by the struggles, I always lifted my eyes to look for Jesus… and it helped me every time.
I’m not saying that my problems disappeared right away, but it helped me [cope] every time. Let me give you this Bible verse that is very close to my heart: ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?’ (Psalm 27:1). May you feel the presence of the Lord in your life, at every moment and in a stronger way, during your times of trouble.”
Whether they have school exams or life challenges to undergo, our kids are facing a lot of stress. Our thoughts go out to all those coping with this new reality, being confident that they will treasure the experiences they lived during this exceptional school year.
This article was originally published on the Inter-European Division’s news site
