An Invitation to a Better Story.

Our goal is to open up the wonder of God's world.

See the story.  Live the story.

What am I doing that's distinctive?

What story will my students see?

We live in a world DRENCHED in God.

What does it look like to live between the trees?

Welcome to another day in God's theatre.

Do I have a classroom that claims the space for God's story?  
WHO am I going to serve in my classroom?

These were some of the questions I had the privilege of pondering upon as I took a course on curriculum design using God's story this summer.  One part I was particular struck by was how as teachers we can use something called biblical throughlines (developed by the Prairie Centre for Christian Education) as a way of articulating our part in God's story.  We went on a field trip that I enjoyed because I got to combine photography with the throughlines.  I am sharing some of these below.

As teachers we seek to instill the following characteristics in our students:

GOD-WORSHIPPERS - involved in regular and meaningful worship experiences.

IDOLATRY-DISCERNERS - adept at identifying and understanding the idols of our time.

EARTH-KEEPERS - respond to God's call to be stewards of all creation.

BEAUTY-CREATORS - praise God by creating beautiful things.

JUSTICE-SEEKERS - act as agents of change by identifying and responding to injustices.

CREATION-ENJOYERS - celebrate God's beautiful creation.

SERVANT-WORKERS - work actively to heal brokenness and bring joy.

COMMUNITY-BUILDERS - active pursuers and builders of communal shalom.

IMAGE-REFLECTORS- demonstrate their response to Christ's call to be co-workers.

ORDER-DISCOVERERS - find harmony and order in God's creation.

I took pictures that connect with each.  I wonder if you can figure out which connects to which and why?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

As we engaged in dialogue about our photographs in class, we found that each of us saw the pictures differently and how they connected with different throughlines. There is no "right" or "wrong" answer.

These throughlines challenge me personally so think about how I live out God's story.  They also are a beautiful way for teachers to bring God's story alive for their students.  I hope that I will be able to find ways to bring this to light for the teachers I walk with.  Please join us in praying that we will see and live God's story.  May our eyes be open to see God's world in new ways. May we be intentional about living God's story in our classrooms and in our lives.

Celebrating Nigerian Fashion.

One thing I love about living in Nigeria is how bright and colourful dress and fashion is.  I have also learned how dressing well is valued and appreciated.  As you might have read in an earlier post (Taruwa magazine), I had to learn that dressing well didn't just mean matching bathroom slippers.  My colleague Megan and I have a good laugh about our "early years" outfits.




The process of getting clothes is a bit different than in North America.

Step 1:   Shop for cloth at the market.  There are so many choices and beautiful fabrics to choose from.

Step 2:  Connect with a tailor.  Sometimes you can find them at their shops, sometimes they will come to your house, as in this case!  The tailor will take your measurements. You can draw the design you would like, or pick one from many magazines lying around.

Here are some of the final products over the years...