Decisions for Students
VT has decided to give the students the option of going back to class on Monday and taking their finals, or if they are happy with their grade as it is, they can just take what they’ve earned already. At Cru, Jeff encouraged all the students there not to leave Blacksburg until they have begun the grieving process. We’re concerned that the students will just hightail it out of here the first chance they get without beginning to process and grieve, and then come back in the fall unprepared for the new school year. We have been encouraging our students even to just try to go to class, maybe 1 a day, and if they can’t pay attention, just sit there and be in class. We just think it would be really good for the students to get back to some sense of “normal” before they leave for the summer. So please pray for wisdom for each student as they decide what they need to do for their classes, and how to best grieve and process.
Last week, we found that the students really needed each other and they didn’t seem to be reaching much out to the staff at that point. However, we’re starting to see a shift in this. The students are starting to seek us out to talk and process, which is great. Please pray for us for energy, wisdom, emotional strength, stuff like that as we begin another week. I fear things will get worse before they get better around here, and I honestly can’t imagine how it could be any worse, so I have really been leaning on the Holy Spirit and trusting that God will lead us through it all and won’t give us more than we can handle. I really do feel honored and blessed to be able to serve our students at this time in our lives. I love them dearly.
we are praying for you and students at Virginia Tech. May God give you wisdom and comfort, that comes only from Him…
Comment by students in Russia — April 23, 2007 @ 6:16 am
Re:the comment that “everything was so great” which made me think about the disciples on Good Friday. Jesus had been healing the sick, feeding 5000, walking on water, raising people from the dead- life was GOOD, ministry was rocking, Hes’ riding into Jerusalem with palm branches waving… and WHAM, the unthinkable happens, within a day he’s on trial, on a cross and in a tomb! How could this happen? life was dark, hopeless in the short view. But God sees the long view, he saw Sunday coming. He saw salvation and joy rising from the darkness. He saw a new dawn for mankind.
I wish I had the resources to build a monument, a prayer garden called “new dawn at Virginia Tech” I’d lay a wreath for the living- those who muster their courage and go back to class Monday, for teachers who share their grief with their class, for college officials who have led a great shcool and will become an even greater one, for parents who can rejoice in their child’s life rather than their untimely death and for those of you in ministry whose shirts are wet from others tears, and share with those who are desperate to hear of God’s love.
Be strong in the Lord. Love, Mom Wood
Comment by Kathleen Wood — April 22, 2007 @ 5:20 pm
I don’t know who you are, and I don’t know why I ended up here on this site, but I have a tears in my eyes and prayers in my heart. I don’t know you Cynthia, but I love you in Christ. I will pray for you by name. I am a real person, and you are a real person, and we have a real God in common. I love you. Margaret
Comment by Margaret Mullins — April 22, 2007 @ 12:32 am
It is very important that students follow Jeff’s advice. Thank you Jeff for giving wise advice to the students. Yes, Cynthia, it will get worse before it gets better. I know that I have grieved with you all as you have been closer to the situation. The whole world is going through this grieving process. Please let the students know that they are not grieving alone.
Phoenix, AZ
Comment by Duke Nguyen — April 21, 2007 @ 11:56 pm
Please know that you are in our hearts and prayers, here in Georgia. I have a granddaughter entering college this fall - my thoughts and love go out to you all. We do not always know or understand the will of God, but one day we will see clearly. God Bless you in the name of the Father, the Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
Comment by Debby King — April 21, 2007 @ 8:09 pm