By Alice Wazir, BBS Principal
September 22nd marked the beginning of a new school year at Beirut Baptist School. Despite the ongoing challenges in Lebanon, we were excited to welcome back our students and staff for the 2021-2022 school year. The start of school is like New Year’s Day for educators: there is something invigorating, and hopeful ushered in by the beginning of a new academic year. It is a time to make rational plans and calculated strategies, but also to remain open to what surprises God might have in store for us.
A few weeks in, and there have already been some humbling surprises! Based on last year’s trends, we anticipated seeing a loss of students due to emigration and the financial crisis in Lebanon (which has significantly impacted private schools.) Yet this year we saw a staggering increase in applications and are already 200 students over our anticipated projections.
The past few weeks I have felt like Peter when the LORD asked him to cast his nets.
“Jesus said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” – John 21:6-7
We didn’t know what would happen, but God exceeded our hopes and expectations by filling our nets beyond what we could’ve dreamed. Similar to John, we know this catch is nothing short of a miracle. Now, our new prayer is that God will keep this full boat from sinking!
We are humbled and honored that God has entrusted us with the care of our community. We take seriously the responsibility we have to form our students into conscientious and caring people—intellectually, socially, civically, and morally—and to share with them the love of Christ.
Perhaps now, more than ever, we feel the weight of our responsibility to nurture these students into future leaders. The current crisis in Lebanon is causing a mass exodus of the educated, yet the recovery of the country will be a decades-long process.
We hope and pray that the next generation will be filled with integrity and a driving passion to serve others, in whatever careers they choose.
Though the task ahead is great, we take courage in the Lord’s words to the disciples – “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men” (Luke 5:10). Please pray that God grants us the wisdom to live up to the trust of the parents and community, and that in all things our presence will point people back to Him.
Keep the Boat Afloat
Lebanon’s fuel and power crisis affects Beirut Baptist School at every level. Transportation for students and staff, electricity, and even WiFi is at risk.