The Power of Knowing We’re Loved

Profile on Christian International School in Prague, Czechia (CISP)

“She signed up for our talent show and sang a song from The Lion King, ‘I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,’” said a surprised and very pleased Makayla Swearman, teacher at Christian International School in Prague, Czechia (CISP). “It took a full school year and the support of the entire school community for Mindy* to go from self-loathing to having the confidence to sing in public.”  

Makayla has been teaching ELL (English Language Learning) at CISP for 7 years. Her students are from a mix of Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist and Christian backgrounds. Almost half the student body of the school comes from unreached people groups. In Czechia more people believe in witchcraft (45%) than Christianity (21%).¹  

“I had a little girl, Mindy, in grade 2 (Buddhist background) who came from a culture where if she wasn’t perfect all the time, she would get angry…at herself or anyone around her. It was a self-loathing that I had never seen,” Makayla shared. 

One time, Makayla had to pause the class and then they looked over Psalm 139 together. She told them, “I believe in the God that made you wonderful and amazing. And it hurts me when you think anything less of yourself.” She added, “being able to integrate the Bible is such a blessing. Knowing that I could take a breather from the curriculum because the heart of my classroom was so much more important. To bring the comfort and care in to say, ‘We are rooted in Christ.’” 

“I think my favorite moment of that year, was when a student teacher came in and was talking to Mindy. The little girl made an error, then stopped and said simply, ‘I guess I made a mistake. But that’s okay ‘cause everybody makes mistakes!’” Makayla shared she cried at her teacher desk. “Less than 3 months prior, the student would have had a complete meltdown.”  

How powerful and wonderful it is to show and to tell students how much God loves us. What a great impact that information can have on someone’s life.

*Name has been changed

• For staffing needs for the next school year (2026-27). There are quite a few teachers needing to leave for Totalization (EU requirements). CISP will need an Assistant Principal, a Librarian, a High School Science teacher and several Elementary School teachers. Check out the opportunity board for a complete list of openings. 
• For increased program funding for the CISP Knight Lights theatre program, new musical instruments and the art room renovation. The creative arts are often the avenue through which the school engages families and the local community with the hope of the Gospel. Click here to donate: cisprague.org/make-a-gift. 
• For all of the teachers and students in all of the international schools during this season of "Goodbyes" and the upcoming season of "Hellos". It's both beautiful and heart wrenching.