22
Sep '23
Meet 4th grader Briana: A Genuine Worshiper
22
Sep '23
Briana Isamar Duarte is a 4th-grade student, who is 9 years old. Although young, she is very dedicated to God and is an example for her classmates. When listening to Briana you quickly realize that God lives in her heart, she is always ready to help others and worship God in everything.
This is Briana’s first year at Jubilee. She shares, “It has been a very good experience, the teachers are very dedicated to their students, my classmates have treated me well and it’s been nice getting to know them. My favorite class is Mathematics. When I grow up, I would like to be a dressmaker, design clothes, and sew. One day I would like to have my own clothing brand and a store.” Her inspiration is her grandfather who is a dedicated tailor. Briana also has spiritual goals: “I want to always follow God; I don’t ever want to separate myself from Him. I want to fulfill the purpose He has for me.”
We also asked what she likes most about Jubilee: “What I enjoy the most about Jubilee is that we really worship God here!”
Briana is an only child, but she has 4 very close cousins who also attend Jubilee. In total, there are 11 relatives who live in a single house together with their grandmother. Their mother works on the side decorating for birthdays and other special events. Currently, she does not have a permanent job.
The grandparents work closely with a few pastors in the city of Choluteca. Each weekend they travel to help with the work of God and are helping to build a small church where the community can gather. Briana has always been in church, and she participates in dancing and singing. She also helps with the Sunday School children. She tells us that her favorite story is from 2 Kings 4:8-27 about the Shunammite’s son. “I identify with that story because it’s about a woman offering her house to the man of God. Always making room for the presence of the Lord. I always want the Lord to be welcome in my house and in my heart.”
Our little Briana is also part of the Music and Sports programs. She feels the Music program has taught her to strive to do things with excellence for God: “The music program does not just create musicians, but is training up true worshipers and ministers of praise.”
The Sports programs have taught her that playing handball is not only about learning a new sport but also about how to work as a team. “When I played on the field with my classmates and competed against other schools that we visited, I had fun and learned more about Handball, and we shared about the school.”
Jubilee has had such a great impact on me. At my previous school, they didn’t teach anything about God. At my old school there were 41 students in a very small classroom. At Jubilee, we have the space we need to have devotionals in the classroom, and every Tuesday during our student worship gatherings, we are reminded that it is necessary to always seek God. Jubilee has also united my family; my cousins and I are closer. Although it takes us almost an hour to get to school, it is worth it because we learn so much. For example, in English class, we are learning more, and in ways that help us remember what we learn.
Who has most impacted your life at Jubilee? “My 6th grade friend, Katherine, because she has always included me, taking me along to play at recess, she always has a smile, and she makes me laugh.
My teacher, Mrs. Nancy has also impacted my life. She has taught me a lot about the Bible and encourages me to memorize the verses each month.
My prayer request is that my grandfather is well when he travels and for my aunt who has liver cancer. Her liver is very damaged, and she already must breathe through a tube. I know that only God can heal her.
“Thank God for Jubilee, here I have learned so much about God, and if I must miss church, I learn about the Lord at Jubilee.”
