The "Journey to Bethlehem" on San Gabriel Academy's football field in December became a faith journey for everyone associated with it. Staff planned the event for community awareness and to let people know that Christ is at the center of the campus. Paths lit by a thousand white Christmas tree lights led visitors circuitously to "Bethlehem."

Many in the community donated items for the two-weekend event: trees and plants, lights, hay, garden art and more.

"I had no idea exactly how God had led us from that first thought about hosting a walk-through ... program, to the opening night," said Bonnie Iversen, history teacher and coordinator, "but I knew one thing: He had done it. Whenever I felt it was bigger than my capabilities ... I would be reminded to just follow His leading and He would help us succeed."

After doing everything they could, students, parents, faculty, staff and community learned to just wait and see if He would answer their prayers. When forecasters predicted that a major storm would drench Southern California on the first weekend, they knew what to do. Students, faculty and staff members encircled the field, held hands and asked God for His intervention.

Preparations continued that first Friday in spite of cloudy skies.

"Then we watched as not one drop fell on our field that night, although rain poured down everywhere else within a half-mile radius," Iversen reported. "That night we had one of our largest crowds—people who had seen our website (TheJourneyToBethlehem.org), our posters or our banner across an intersection.

"That night, after the benediction, and after our expensive sound and lighting equipment were safely stored, and tarps covered the backdrops, the rain gently began." Skeptical parents stood amazed, staff and board members were seen shaking their heads in amazement. "I can't believe that just across the way it had been raining hard," marveled one parent.

Not the students, however. As they were putting things away that night, several students came up and quietly said with a smile, "Ms. Iversen, it didn't rain!"

Parents donated more than $1,000 for seed money to make the "Journey" possible. During the three nights of this production, 1,500 people visited. Students, alumni and faculty presented outdoor Christmas concerts at the conclusion of the journeys.

Information gathered from visitors will facilitate continued contact with the community. The school family intends to pray for their neighbors regularly. The faculty and K-12 students plan to join hands around the school field and lift up the requests of the children. "The school came to appreciate the words of David," noted Iversen. "'Trust me in your difficult times, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory'" (Psalm 50:15).

"We did, He did and we are!" said Iversen.