Transformation, One Opportunity at a Time

I have been VERY behind on posting blog updates, but its not because I don't have anything to say! Things have been so busy, and I find it a challenge to balance the DOING and the writing about what I am doing!
Allow me during this month to give you a peek into the process of transformation happening here..and join me in thanking God for the lives and hearts of each and every one!



One of the major themes we talk about in Christian Education is the story of God and His people as laid out in the Bible and then continuing with exploring our own part in that story. We talk about the themes displayed in the picture above: Creation, Fall, Redemption, Renewal.

One day I walked into Heritage Academy to meet this bulletin board. I was so impressed. The principal, Mr. Spencer Okoroafor had the art teacher put it together. He had spent the week bringing the students down to explain the significance and meaning of these themes.

A few weeks later, I was in a Primary 5 (grade 5) class, sitting in on a lesson on "pests in the home". And would you believe it, the themes came up! The conversation came up as students were asking about why we have household pests, and why do we as Christian still experience the suffering of mosquito bites and malaria, cockroaches and rats. A result of the fall, of course!

Thank God for teachers willing to take the time to point to the big picture with their students. Pray that teachers and students will see the connections and apply them to their everyday learning.

Train a Teacher, Help a Child

In my December Kid's Edition Prayer letter, I mentioned a special project that people can give to this Christmas.
I want to tell you a little bit more about Mrs. Sa'adatu Yashim, her staff, and school.
New Vine Academy is a small emerging school in Jigo-Bwari, a little town about 30 minutes outside of the city of Abuja, Nigeria.






It is a secondary school (middle school/high school), that a group of people had a vision to start a few years back. They started with one class of 11 students last year, Junior Secondary 1 (grade 6)and this year added a second, JSS 2.




Mrs. Yashim is the principal, and she has a real passion for developing her staff, especially in their understanding of Christian Education.



There are 8 teachers working there, all teaching a particular subject area.



I have had the privilege of working with this school for the last year. We planned a teacher's appreciation day, when most of these pictures were taken. The students put together a dance, the principal put together small gifts for the teachers, and I spoke on the joy of teaching as a calling.

In the last few months, the staff and I have been meeting monthly to do a book study together, using "Walking with God in the Classroom" by Harro VanBrummelen.
It has been a wonderful experience! We have had many discussions on teaching practice, lesson plans, life, and living in general.







God is really working in the lives of these teachers. Because of gifts like yours, we are able to meet together weekly and grow in becoming better teachers and disciples of Jesus Christ. We want to be able to continue so that these teachers may continue to grow and be transformed. Your gifts make this possible. Thanks in advance!
Our goal is to use this goal as a model school for development, along with 2 other schools in the greater Abuja area.
Each teacher that is trained impacts the lives of so many students, and we thank God everyday for the impact that is being made here in Abuja and all of West Africa!

The Power of Questions.

This past weekend, I partnered with a fellow Nigerian Education Consultant to lead a seminar on teaching methods. Two specific methods we dealt with were: Inductive Teaching, and Scientific Inquiry. Both of these methods are not common in a typical Nigerian classroom, where transmission of facts through lecture, note taking, and memorization is the order of most days. These methods both involve asking questions of the students.






I was reminded once again of the power of questions. God has set in His creation so much for us to explore - not just to be told about. How will we explore? To ask questions. If we want to be effective citizens of God's kingdom, we need be able to think critically about information we receive, the society we live in. How will we bring ourselves to distinguish that which is truth? To ask questions. If we want to bring others into a living relationship with Him, we need to...you got it: Ask questions.









Its been just over 4 months since I have arrived here in my new position. This first 6 months has been set aside specifically for listening and learning. Here are some questions I have been exploring.

*What is on ground here in West Africa in the area of Christian Education?

*How does the education system work in general?

*What is the best way to connect with teachers? schools? students?

*What needs are expressed?

*How can we together build capacity of Christian Education?

*What could it look like to walk alongside an initiative?

*Is there a specific strategy that should be adopted?

*How can we work in a way that empowers nationals? That is sustainable?

*Who could be key leaders in this movement? Do they feel called? Are they available?

*Do we work on a national level? Establish an association?

*Do we work with individual schools? Should certain schools be trained to develop as model schools?

*What is realistic and achievable in terms of setting goals?

*What will have long-term impact?


So many questions...

I have met with a variety of people to explore such questions. Teachers, principals, heads of schools, parents, friends, church leaders, education stakeholders, fellow missionaries.



I have partnered with Nigerians who are working to establish a national christian schools association. I have visited schools and classrooms. I have partnered with Nigerians (and fellow missionaries) to lead seminars and workshops.



I have prayed alot. I have listened alot.

Do I have all the answers? No way. Am I wiser for the experience thus far? Certainly.

I love asking questions. It helps me to focus on what I need to do and where I need to go. It helps me to become a more effective citizen of God's kingdom. It reminds me that I am on a journey, and that my life - my work - is a process. It reminds me that I am not there yet, and need to keep growing.

I know that God has a plan. I continue to rest assured that it will be made known all in His time. That He will answer the questions that need answering. My job is to be faithful and diligent with what He has given me thus far. And keep asking questions.

I Got a House!

Yes, thanks for your prayers! As it turns out, one of my friends are leaving for the United States. And I am able to take over their lease! It's a 2 bedroom flat, on a compound with 8 flats. I'm on the top (4th) floor!
I move in next week, but here are few shots of the inside to give you an idea of the place. More pictures to come when I move in!



Living Room



Kitchen


Bathroom



Bedroom

Sights and Sounds of Niger

You got to hear of my arrival, but not of my actual stay in Niger! I will just share a few pictures and thoughts...
Niger, being closer to the Sahara Desert (Actually the desert is IN Niger), the landscape and animals are more..."desert-like" :)


Camels....



Donkeys...















A village church we attended before our car breaking down...













I stayed in Niamey, with a missionary family: The Persenaire-Hogeterps. They were great hosts. My goal in traveling to Niger was to see what is going on in the area of Christian Education, meet with key leaders in the movement, and discuss possibilities for capacity building.

I visited SIM Education Department (another missionary agency), who, among many things, is assisting kindergarten teachers in creating their own resources for their classrooms.


















Cornerstone is a national organization of Christian teachers looking to apply biblical principles in Education. One of their projects/goals/dreams is to have a model school which provides fully integrated Christian Education.





This is the core group of Cornerstone.





This is Mrs. Halima, the kindergarten teacher. She is enthusiastic and passionate about meeting the needs in her class.


Here are some of the children in her class...


I got to visit giraffes! Just outside of Niamey is the last group of wild giraffes in West Africa. We hired a guide to drive us around, and then got to get a little up close and personal too!




I participated in an appreciative inquiry for a church that had started a school in a village, but has had some problems in continuing the project. This church in Niamey partnered its members with children in a village who then are sponsoring those children to go to school! It was a beautiful picture of how the church in Niger is reaching out.



This is one of the activities of the inquiry. The group was to make a map of the village, plotting physical places, but also trying to highlight relationships between the school and the village.


And, one of my highlights, was the Roundtable follow up meeting. Representatives from schools all over the country, and church stakeholders came together to discuss the way forward for Christian Education. This is what we asked for prayers for. God is faithful, and the conference resulted in good listening and sharing. A committee to look into forming a national association for Christian Schools was set in place. This committee was also mandated to look at the proposal for a Christian teacher training Center in Niger!



This was the group who met....


And a reporting session, where we dialogued about the "sickness" and "remedies" for Christian Education in Niger.


My trip back into Nigeria went like this:
4:30am Leave for bus station
6:00am Bus leaves Niamey for Konni (border town)
11:00am Bus arrives in Konni
11:15am A pastor came to pick me up on his motorcycle. I spent the day with him and his family. I got to sleep under the stars - as it was so hot that night.
7:00am Taxi arrives to take me across the border and into Nigeria to the airport.We spent about an hour at the border.
11:00am Arrived at the Sokoto airport, bought the LAST ticket to Abuja.
2:00pm Flew from Sokoto to Abuja
3:00pm Arrived in Abuja, took a taxi home!

Space for God

So there is this book that I have had on my shelf for years that has come highly recommended by those who have read it. It’s called “Space for God” by Don Postema. It’s basically a book of reflections, study and practice of spirituality and prayer.

I have finally opened it earlier this week. Am excited for all there is to reflect on..

I wanted to share one of the poems I read inside this morning that touched me. I think making space for God, in theory is a great idea. But practically, not so easy.

COVENANT
God
knocks at my door
seeking a home for his son.

Rent is cheap, I say.

I don’t want to rent. I want to buy, says God.

I’m not sure I want to sell,
but you might come in to look around.

I think I will, says God.

I might let you have a room or two.

I like it, says God. I’ll take the two
You might decide to give me more someday.
I can’t wait, says God.

I’d like to give you more,
but it’s a bit difficult. I need some space for me.

I know, says God. I’ll take it. I like what I see.

Hm, maybe I can let you have another room.
I really don’t need that much.

Thanks, says God. I’ll take it. I like what I see.

I’d like to give your the whole house
but I’m not sure....

Think on it, says God. I wouldn’t put you out.
Your house would be mine and my son would live in it.
You’d have more space that you’d ever had before.

I don’t understand at all.

I know, says God, but I can’t tell you about that.
You’ll have to discover it for yourself.
That can only happen if you let me have the whole house.

A bit risky, I say.

Yes, says God, but try me.

I’m not sure---
I’ll let you know.

I can’t wait, says God. I like what I see.

----Margaret Halaska.

Rescuing the Next Generation...Now or Never!

This is the theme banner of the ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) Leadership Conference held in Abuja on April 23,24.

Representatives from ACSI Africa came as conference speakers: Director Samson Makhado (bottom, right) spoke on the essentials of a Christian School, and an overview of Christian Education in the continent of Africa. Teacher and principal Greg Stokell (bottom, left) spoke about biblical worldview as a framework for school leadership, as well as the implications of biblical worldview in the classroom.



We fellowshipped and worshipped together,















learned and prayed together,




This teacher (above)is taking part in an exercise demonstrating an alternative teaching method, using different coloured hats to get students to express ideas from a variety of perspectives. Most classes in Nigeria are limited to a concept being presented by the teacher writing a note on the board, and the students copying it. Demonstrating and having teachers practice alternative strategies encourages them to see that these can be applied in their own classrooms as well.
The topic here was abortion. When someone wears the yellow hat, they are allowed to express what people might consider to be "advantages" to abortion. Wearing a different coloured hat gives students opportunities to share "facts", "disadvantages", "opinions", "what the Bible has to say", etc...


Here are various members of the steering committee who put this initiative into action...



Mrs. Yakubu (left) is a proprietress of a primary and a secondary school. Mrs. Mokuolo (right) is the proprietress of a primary school. They both reside in Abuja. They are very interested in exploring ways to have meaningful Christian Education in their schools.



Rex (above) is what we call a "teacher candidate". This means someone who is looking for a job. He has been visiting the Daniel Center and showing interest in this movement of Christian Education. He went and delivered invitations to schools, and is sitting on the Steering Committee for Christian Education in Abuja. And, believe it or not, the day before the conference, he was offered a teaching position! God is good!

Note: The pictures of me are on someone else's camera... So you will have to wait until I am back in Nigeria to share some of those!