"Among All Nations"

The halls of OCCS are empty of students, but they are full of evidence of the life, learning, and activity that took place not long ago. 

The week before the threat of Covid-19 closed schools in Iowa, the middle school students of OCCS had the opportunity to participate in Concentrated Studies. Each year, teachers choose and plan activities for a country of study. Students spend the week in teams of 5th-8th graders, moving from teacher to teacher to learn about the country's culture, history, language, religion, and so much more. 

This year, the country Iran was chosen. Students learned about the Iranian Revolution, the Persian language, Iranian folk tales, Islamic clothing, and holidays. They constructed mosques with minarets, 3-D maps of Iran's geography, and practiced Iranian calligraphy. They listened to Iranian music and played cricket. They learned about the country's main religion, which is 97.8% Islam, and how it impacts their government and laws. The evidence of this learning is all throughout the halls. Since no one is able to come in to see it right now, check out these pictures, from the middle school halls, that give a glimpse into all the learning that took place. 

3-D Maps

Mosques and minarets

Calligraphy

Symbolism in Persian rugs and tiles

T-shirts celebrating Iranian holidays

During the week, students were also challenged to pray for at least one people group in Iran as the majority of the people there do not know Christ as their personal Savior. With everything going on in our world, let us take time not only to pray for health and patience as we are locked up in our homes, but let us also pray for God's name to be known in this situation, for the peoples of the earth to turn to Him, and for the Gospel message to bring life and hope and peace to the people of Iran and every nation.  

May God be gracious to us and bless us

and make his face shine upon us,

that your ways may be known on earth,

your salvation among all nations.

May the peoples praise you, O God; 

may all the peoples praise you.

Psalm 67:1-3