"Fun Times in English Class" by Valerie Limmer

 A couple of years ago, a neighbour introduces us to Valerie and Peter Limmer, who are missionaries in Japan with MissionGo Canada, and send out a bi-monthly newsletter, “Land of the Risen Son.”  In Issue 92, June 2025, Valerie wrote an article, “Fun Times in English Class” which I like very much. She has given me permission to publish an excerpt from it:

We’ve been having some exciting conversations in English class! It all started last month when one of our older students, a grandmother whom I’ll call ‘Zephyr,’came up to me.

“Is Trump a Christian?” She peered into my face anxiously.

Hmm. It might be best to give her more information and let her draw her own conclusions

“Christians are people who love and follow Jesus.  In time, we naturally become more like him. Jesus is someone who is loving.  During His time on earth, HE stood up for the helpless and oppressed. He got angry at people who took advantage of foreigners; He pointed to a poor widow as having more generosity toward God than all of the rich people parading by and showing off the large amounts of money they donated.

“Jesus once said, ‘Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (Matthew 7: 17-18, 20)

“When people become Christians, their lives begin to change and their characteristics become more like Jesus’s.  When people become Christians, they begin to exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. These are some of Jesus’s most basic traits, and if we are His children, over time we begin to exhibit these traits too.”

After a few more questions, Zephyr drew her own conclusions.


To learn more about Peter and Valerie, visit www.peterandvalerie.com and www.missiongo.org/|Limmer

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