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Meet Ray Suzuki, a 17—almost 18—year old student from Japan, who enjoys reading, drawing, biking, exploring, and spending time with friends and family. He began studying with TPS in his freshman year of high school, and over the course of his high school years, he has taken nine classes through the Potter’s School.

Ray describes himself as “a brother of two sisters, a son, a friend, a third culture kid, a designer, a former TPSer, and most significantly a sinner saved by His grace.” He graduated from the Potter’s School last June, and moved to Denver, Colorado, where he currently resides with his host family the Sechrists, and his older sister, Marie.

Now Ray studies Industrial Design at Metropolitan State College of Denver. Though he no longer attends the Potter’s School, he feels his experiences at TPS still affect him at college: “One of the most important things TPS helped me to understand was to have fun learning. While the majority of my classmates in college here complain about having to learn challenging subjects, I have come to enjoy learning new things.”

We all know how busy life as a TPS student can be and life outside of TPS is no different for Ray. “A friend’s father once told me several years ago that I should always work while learning, and learn while working. Thus when I finish with my schoolwork, I usually spend my time with my host family or find work to do with my spare time. I try to help out with the local church and volunteer in Christian ministries to keep myself busy.”

Ray does relax sometimes, though. He loves making people laugh, working on the computer, and just goofing off with friends. He likes historical or action movies—specifically his favorite movie Master and Commander—and says 18th and 19th Century naval warfare is “just plain awesome.”

Ray's favorite music is classical music; most prominently Bach, whom he admires for his music which glorifies God. He says he does enjoy some modern contemporary music, but finds most of today’s music somewhat shallow. He adds with a laugh, “Oh yes, and I also love epic snowball fights. It snowed recently in Colorado so I have had the pleasure of pelting (and being pelted [by]) snowballs at others.”

Ray does chuckle a bit about the changes in his education style since leaving TPS. “3am classes that I attended online wearing my PJs [and] 10am classes that I physically attend and ride a bus and a light rail to certainly are quite different things.

I like to learn kinesthetically, and because my classes usually involve more hands-on technical things due to the area of my study, I enjoy college a lot. I doubt an online class on sheet metals, material finishing, and woodworking would work too well.”

He comments that his favorite classes were Shakespeare and 19th Century Literature, where he enjoyed the in-class acting. He also fondly remembers the ’09 class of C.S. Lewis and Tolkien with Mrs. Neuman. “They were undoubtedly the most challenging courses I ever took on TPS. However, the friends I made in those classes, the knowledge I gained, and the study and appreciation of two of the greatest Christian authors in the last 100 years was well worth it. I recommend anybody interested in good literature, critical thinking, and a healthy challenge to take the courses.”

Ray enjoys Thanksgiving week off, like he did at TPS. In the past he celebrated Thanksgiving with fellow missionary families in Japan, but this year it will be a bit different. “Here in the US, I will be celebrating Thanksgiving with my host family. We’re going up to Estes Park in the Rocky Mountains for a few days to spend some time together and enjoy a scrumptious meal. I’m also really excited because I have a week off from school for Thanksgiving break! Wahoo!”

Right now Ray says his main struggles are keeping connected with his family back home, keeping strong in faith at a secular college, and balancing school and life. He says, “I have to always keep in mind that my love for Christ and actions that reflect that love will have greater impact on unbelievers than the apologetics method I learned reading a book.”

However, he remembers to take Peter’s encouragement to “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” (Peter 3:15) He says, “The temptation for me is to compromise with the world and turn my back on Christ and His truth.” And as for finding out how to balance things, he says, “I still haven’t figured this one out yet.”

Ray’s favorite words of encouragement are from 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; “"[we] take heed how [we] build thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try very man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

Ray says he’s not going to college simply because “everybody else is doing it”, but because his parents encouraged him to seek God’s will in how to use his gifts for God’s glory. Ray says, “This focus on the bigger picture has served to bring clarity to me as a student in the college game. I still have no clue what God desires for me to do with my life.

And the older I grow, the less sure I become of my future. However, this has taught me to trust and rely more on God… To me college is but a tool for advancing to a different stage of my life. I love learning new techniques and knowledge in college, but I learn so that the education can help me better make a living in the future, and—Lord willing—that I can support a family.” He hopes his education at college will further build his foundation on Christ.

What does Ray wish to pass on to fellow TPSers? Well, he warns Potter's School students; “If you take a TPS class on a topic you currently have no interest in or dislike, you’ll end up loving it! I complained to my dad when he urged me to take Shakespeare and 19th Century Literature (taught by Mrs. Zylstra), because I had no interest in literature. However, when I finished the course I wished I could spend more time having fun with my classmates enacting Hamlet or analyzing Austin’s novels.”

He also stresses the importance of support and community to keep Christians accountable. “I have many weaknesses and without the support of other brothers and sisters in Christ, I knew I would not survive, especially in a secular college that self-consciously hates Jesus and promotes pride rather than humility. Proverbs 1:7 tells us that “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” None of my professors ever tell me this verse, but the Bible teaches that when I walk in to the classroom, the fear of the Lord and humility will grant me knowledge and wisdom—not pride in man’s knowledge.”

Ray seeks to incorporate knowledge and the fear of the Lord into his daily life. Whether you're a student at TPS, a parent, or an alumnus like Ray, it is a noble goal worth pursuing.

 

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