For the Love of Children - Teacher Seminar

These past weeks, I had the privilege of participating in a teacher's seminar organized by a group of teachers/parents passionate about Christian Education.



The seminars were led by Ko Spyksma, a volunteer from British Columbia. God has blessed her with the gift to relate well with her students (in this case her students were Nigerian teachers).



Here Ko is demonstrating how a lesson can be interesting with limited resources...such as using garbage!



This was our classroom for the week...



The seminar encouraged teachers to see their jobs as callings from God. They were challenged to see God's CREATION as the foundation for curriculum. They were challenged to see their children as image bearers of God, and love them accordingly. They were challenged to think, and to make their students think beyond rote memorization "knowledge".



The teachers learned that they can learn from each other, and so can their students...






They got to draw, an unusual practice in Nigerian classrooms. Here the teachers drew collaboratively to illustrate different creation principles. Can you figure out what this one might be??



















And finally, a VERY important part of seminars in Nigeria...the CERTIFICATE!




















My biggest prayer now would be that teachers would take what they have learned and actually bring about transformation in their classrooms, and in the lives of the children! Anna is one of such teachers:

A Peek into A School

In the past few weeks I have visited a number of schools, and hope to add a few reflections. Today, I will leave you with some pictures and short videos. I hope you enjoy! The first clip is of a marching band that was referred to in my March prayer letter. The children in most school meet before classes start for morning assembly. The students line up according to their classes and once the meeting is over, they march according to their grades into their classes to start the day. Today, the march was done as the children sang, "Oh When the Saints Go Marching In".

(Unfortunately, I am having problems, uploading the video. Hopefully it will come shortly.)

Here are the marching band participants..



This girl is busy writing out her numbers from 1 to...100 (or maybe more) in her math notebook. Each child has a notebook for each subject area. A good amount of time is spent copying questions and notes from the board and then answering them.



Here is a student with the teacher assistant sitting behind him. The bulletin board in the background has the children's names posted with the title "I am Royal" posted underneath.



Children are waiting for the rest of their class to finish their lunches so that they can continue with their lessons.

Welcome to my home...for now...

Hello all...well, I am here in Abuja, and thought I would give you a bit of a picture of my life here for now.
This is the Daniel Center. This center is a meeting place for people from all walks of life who come together to dialogue about Biblical worldview and how it affects every aspect of life: church, home and family, politics, workplace, and EDUCATION (that's where I come in). The ground level is the Center, and my apartment is upstairs, where I am staying temporarily.




Here is a picture of some of the staff at the Daniel Center. Kasimu (standing,left) is one of our security men. Martha (center) is our admin. assistant. David (right) is the security guard from next door. They are sitting outside of our compound.



Come on in...Welcome to the Daniel Center!



This is the entrance to my office, where I have put up a display of some of the books donated.



Upstairs, I am blessed to have a cook/cleaner assisting me. His name is Elisha...he makes DELICIOUS meals!




Here are some dear friends of mine. Fedora (left), Deve (center), and Daishaun (right) are posing with their news bibs from "Grandma Canada" (that would be my mom!)

Packing Up Reflections

I am now sitting in my empty office, coming to the final packing up stages. Wow. Where did these last 6 months go?? I remember leaving Nigeria in June, not knowing when and if I would be coming back, and here are I am a week away from returning!
I have been reflecting on the many ways that I have been so blessed in these last 6 months. I was never hungry, never without a bed to sleep in.
I have experienced generosity, in big and small ways. A key to one house so I can come and go whenever I want. A $5 donation from an elementary student after church on Sunday. Churches offering support in prayer and finance. A gift of chocolate chips and bacon bits to take back to Nigeria with me. A commitment to giving $100 monthly from someone I met for the first time. My dear Nigerian friends supporting this ministry in prayers and finance. My parents who never complained once about having me in their house(and not doing my share of cooking and cleaning either). For a whole set of teacher resource books. For cards and letters, emails and internet chats. And I could go on and on. For those of you who know me well, you know there are tears welling up in my eyes as I write this now.

I do feel LOVED and SUPPORTED and ENCOURAGED. And I can’t thank each one of you enough. I thank God and am reminded of this passage,
“I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. You love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother(s and sisters), have refreshed the heart of the saints.” (Phil.1:4-7)
I wanted to share with you a story that was told at my church (Hope Fellowship CRC) a few years back by Rev.Quartel. (Thanks Evelyn, for reminding me).
There was this missionary family who had been sent out by their church onto the mission field. After many years and ended up having to come back very discouraged. They had not been fruitful, and they were tired, weary, and empty. They had not heard from their supporters back home either.
When they returned to their church, they discovered that the church had forgotten about them as well. And they realized that there was a direct connection. The church had sent them out with promises to support them, to “hold the rope” so to speak. It seemed as though the church had “let go”. And as a result – the work that God had called them to do was not able to be accomplished.
My prayer is that each of you will remember to HOLD THE ROPE. The ministry that is going on through me in West Africa is NOT all about me. It is something that we are all in together. I might be the one going, but you as supporters are holding the rope. I pray that you are holding on tight, and won’t let go.

Articles from Nov. Letter

Why the title "Walking with West Africa"?

“God is doing something in Nigeria”, was a comment shared by a teacher at a recent “Prayer Altar for Christian Education” in Abuja, Nigeria. God is already moving and working among His people. When I enter into the world of another, I do not have all the answers, nor am I doing it all right. In my serving as a Christian Education Consultant, I have much to learn from God’s people in West Africa. Thus, it is my prayer that we as North Americans walk alongside believers in the culture we are encountering. I pray that we may listen, learn, and grow together.


Financial Update: Engaging in ministry in-volves so many things! God has blessed me with YOU! I thank God for your prayers and support, both through care and finances
My annual financial goal is $55,000. To date approximately $10,000 has been raised! Thank God with me for His faithfulness in providing, and pray with me for continued support in order to meet this goal. With two months left until returning to Nigeria, I am eager to see this number rise!

Story Story

I visited a school in Baissa, a small town in the interior of Taraba State, Nigeria. The students are pictured here. This is a primary 4 class (grade 4).

These students shared a church sanctuary with the primary 5 class. Each group had a moveable chalkboard in front of them. The topic as I entered was the weather. On the board was written, “What is weather?” The textbook definition was also written, “Weather is the amount of rainfall, precipitation...etc..” I decided to see what the students knew by asking a few questions. I began with,

“What are you studying?”

“Science!” They all chorused.

“What is the topic?” , I asked.

“Weather!”

“What is weather?” I asked.

Hestitation followed. After a few more times of asking the question, a few people got it. Those who could read, began to read the definition on the board.

“Very good,” I responded.

“So, who can tell me, what is the weather today?”

Silence. Not one student could answer.

Maybe it is my accent, I thought. I repeated the question again. Nothing. I thought I would ask a leading question...

”Well, is it raining today?” I asked, as I pointed to the skies outside.

Silence.

After repeating this question, some students responded with a “no.” I followed it up with the original question...

”So, what is the weather today?” ..... Still nothing.

This is quite a typical scenario I have encountered in a number of primary school settings. Students who seem to have memorized a definition, but have not internalized any REAL meaning. There is a lack of connection between the definition and its significance to their daily lives.

How can we bring students to a place where they are not just memorizing an idea, but understanding a concept?

How can we as teachers guide and walk with our students to that place?

Pray for education of QUALITY for students in West Africa.

Mission and Vision Statements

Vision
Working together with fellow Christian educators
in West Africa and North America, our vision is to
bring transformation within the education system
in West Africa, one opportunity at a time.

Mission
Education in West Africa can be a very discouraging
picture. Yet despite this, many teachers and schools
are opening their doors for meaningful dialogue
and discussions. As more opportunities arise for
these exchanges, Christians are envisioning how the
Biblical world and life view can make an impact on
the lives and communities in Africa. For six years I
have worked in international and missionary school
settings within Nigeria. God has given me a passion
for the people and culture of this country. In my
own experiences, I have seen God giving His people
a hunger and thirst for what it means to serve Him
with excellence. God is calling me to work with
the people in addressing the opportunities arising
within the national school systems. I am especially
passionate about:
• Working alongside teachers, exploring what it
means to live and teach from a Biblical world
and life view.
• The opportunity to reach beyond one
classroom by working alongside West African
teachers who are hungry to learn and to make
a change within their schools and systems.
This new area of ministry would include the
following opportunities:
• Teacher continuing education
• Curriculum development
• Dialoguing with Christian schools throughout
West Africa
• Mentoring and encouraging administrators and
other key leaders
• Participating in the African and worldwide
discussions of Christian education
• Connecting with churches and schools in North
America to be involved in this movement.
As I look forward, I’m excited and terrified. For me,
it’s the best place to be, having no choice but to rely
on the One who has placed me here to be used by
Him. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is
made perfect in weakness.” As I enter this new phase
of ministry, I invite you to join me in prayer, fellowship,
service and/or financial support. May God bless you
as you consider this opportunity!