Two years ago, we were all thrown into the deep end and had to sink or swim with the likes of Zoom technology. We had to learn the basics about starting a meeting, using the chat feature, and unmuting our microphones before we tried to speak. Chat rooms and digital view boards and Google document comments seemed overwhelming back then when we moved to a virtual setting for classes and meetings with students. We were concerned about curriculum, but even more about our students’ social and emotional well-being. Most of us were making the biggest pivot of our careers.
Fast forward. Now we can smoothly instruct whether we are in the same room with our students or not. Technology is no longer so intimidating, and we can troubleshoot with confidence to overcome any blips in the process. Virtual meetings are as normal as taking attendance and keeping a gradebook with a digital student information system. The technology allows us to explore a much bigger world than ever before. Actually, I participated in a virtual experience this evening that I’d like to share with you.
I was honored to attend a Zoom meeting through Christian Educators Association International (CEAI) where we listened to a first-hand account from a Polish educator who is deeply involved in helping Ukrainian refugees. Her small town in Poland has a Proem Ministries camp that is now turned into a refugee living space. The camp provides all necessities for refugees who are seeking shelter from the war. Most arrive with one suitcase or one plastic sack of belongings. She explained that when the Ukrainian people arrive, they come from places that have been bombed and completely destroyed, so they are looking to begin new lives. This camp provides shelter, food, medicine, clothes, and trauma care. Also, she and her co-workers staff a Proem Ministries Christian school of over 400 students. Around 30 Ukrainian students have joined classes and are trying to restore some semblance of normalcy to their young lives while their fathers are still in Ukraine fighting and their mothers are securing permanent lodging and work in Poland. After hearing her stories, our adjustment to virtual learning in 2020 doesn’t seem like such a big pivot after all.
The main purpose for the meeting is exciting. Our group of Christian educators is given a wonderful opportunity to offer monetary assistance to the camp and school in Poland. CEAI is accepting donations where 100% of the money will go straight to the Proem Ministries. Also, CEAI leadership has secured a $25,000 matching program with very generous donors. So, if Christian educators and our friends can donate the $25,000, the matching will make our donation to the Polish educators a $50K deposit!
I invite you to learn about the partner ministry, Proem Poland, who is serving desperate Ukrainian refugees.
I ask you to pray for all of the people in harm’s way because of this war. Then, if you are led to do so, you can join other educators and our friends to meet the monetary goal and support this humanitarian effort.
Tonight, I’m pondering the progression of time and technology over the past couple of years. The connections we can make from the little Zoom squares of pictures is amazing. The difference God can make in the lives of vulnerable people across the Atlantic because of those connections is miraculous.
Lori Vandeventer 