Passing Over Fear

   The deafening sound of a shofar horn was the beginning of a long journey. Immediately as the noise hit the Israelite ears, they departed in search for the Promise Land.  Surviving off manna sent from Heaven; they walked all day, everyday, following Moses throughout the wilderness. Complaining came easy and felt customary for most. There was no sight of the Promise Land to be seen, leaving only doubt for people to grasp onto. This was just a part of Blue Ridge Christian Academy's Passover day.

    BRCA has found the perfect way for students to interact with the Passover celebration with a reenactment. Of a Seder and the Israelites' exodus, each student dressed as Israelites and divided into twelve tribes. Each tribe made a lamb sacrifice, painted the blood on the doorposts, and ate the meal. When Moses blew his horn, they wandered in the wilderness in search of the Promise Land. Every kid loved this special day.  Ninety-percent of the students surveyed said that it increased their knowledge of the meaning of the Passover a lot. They received hands-on learning experience. 

    Each year, there is a new stance towards the Passover. The thought of conquering your own fear was the theme this year. When the students were finished with the event, they sat down to listen to Janiece Robinson. She helped them make the connection of the Israelites' fear, and with their personal fear they experience everyday, such as being scared of the dark. They learned that fear is not from God, but power, love, and right-thinking are.

    Diana Baker, who organizes these events at BRCA, described this new aspect of fear as, "I have never thought of it [Passover] in that way." Although she organizes it, she also gets something new out of it every year. Specifically this year she gained a different attitude towards fear. She also said, "When I look down the halls and see kids painting the blood on the door posts, the meaning gets more personal each time." It is a great event for kids, teens, and definitely adults.