Letter

Dear Friends and Family,

Let me start this by saying that we serve such a mighty and powerful God. He has laid many things on my heart over this past year and continues to do so and thankfully He is continually working on me. That is not to say I’m perfect but that he is a wonderful God who is continually patient and persistent in the work he has started (Philippians 1:6). I am not a poet by any means and often run off on tangents but please bear with me and hear how the Lord is working.

This summer has been a "molding" experience. The best way I can explain it is feeling "raw" and vulnerable. I prayed at the beginning of June that he would refine me and prepare me to be used for Him and I didn’t realize what a task that would be. It has been a very tough summer filled with happiness and tears, joy and sadness, but in all of it he has proved to be faithful. The Lord brought me to Birdville High School 4 years ago ( Acts 17: 26-27) and put the students on my heart at that time. It has been a rewarding as well as a trying time. At any given time during the day you can walk into my room, C302, and you can literally feel the darkness that covers some of my students and fills my room. It is a daily struggle filled with constant spiritual warfare. It is very discouraging at times and very tiring but I serve a God that is stronger than anything and I have faith that He is going to change things and that He is in control.

Friends, He has already begun to do mighty things and will continue to do powerful things. But as the enemy is getting stronger, the battle gets harder. Their earthly fathers have not loved many of our students, but the Heavenly Father and Creator has loved for all eternity each student that walks through the halls. The beginning of school means many new things to a teacher—new classes, new schedules, and new students but even though it may be new to us He has hand picked each part of it for His purpose. And that is why I know I am where I am, to serve the Lord by loving these students.

I can tell you stories of pain and heartache that follows these students every day of their lives. They deal with things on a daily basis that I would never even imagine possible. They are hurting and desperate for someone to heal their pain. They fill the emptiness in their lives with the wrong things and are continually coming in telling stories of their failures, pain, and shame. I share this with you because school has not started and I have seen already evidence of the pain and hurt that envelopes them.

I am to be Christ's image bearer, light in a dark place, and I know that I am not doing this on my own strength and pray that He will continue to strengthen me and refine me. I am but His vessel ready to be used. Truthfully, in many cases if I do not show these students Christ’s unconditional love then they will not receive it elsewhere. Romans 10:14-15 tells us that, "before people can ask the Lord for help, they must believe in Him, and before they believe in Him, they must hear about him, and for them to hear about the Lord, someone must tell them; and before someone can go and tell them that person must be sent. It is written, " How beautiful is the person who comes to bring good news.” I am not a pastor, I am not in church work, but THIS IS my mission field. I have been called here for a reason and I’m not going to back down from that calling.

I am writing to you to ask that you start to pray daily, and continue to do so, all year long and see how the Lord works. I have prayed that the Lord will fill my room and cover each student that walks in with a peace and comfort that he or she has never felt before. My students may not know where the peace comes from but I pray that God’s shalom will rest upon their lives for His glory. I pray that my students will recognize God and His mighty works in all that takes place this year.

I have a few prayer requests to leave with you, and I will be writing more often to keep you updated on how things are going. Thank you for taking the time to read this and to pray for the students. It means the world to me.

In Him,

Lauren Barksdale

Prayer Requests:

• That each room and hallway be filled with a peace that has never been felt before.

• That in all that is said and done, glory be given to the Lord.

• That those who are hurting and lost have their hearts opened to see the Lord in me.

• That I stay strong in the Lord and rely on Him to be my strength when it gets tough.

• That all who live for Him at school daily claim victory in the Lord.

• Patience and love will flow in and from us.

• That He will strengthen us when we are weary.

• That my faith be strengthened.