Meeting Little Sheila

So, one of the interesting aspects of Nigerian culture and customs is the significance around names.  Many children are given multiple names at birth by different people who are significant in the lives of the parents.  Many names are reflect the events and circumstances surrounding the pregnancy or birth of the child.

Meet little Sheila.

Left to Right:  Big Sheila, Little Sheila, Patience

Little Sheila was growing in her mother's tummy during the launching of the Teacher's Transforming Nigeria Program in May of 2016.  Her mother, Patience, was one of the participants in this program.  She and her husband have started a school called "Bethel Livingstone Academy" and she found the one month training very useful in equipping her with tools she needed to lead the staff of her school.  Since this event was significant in Patience's life and the life of her family and school, they decided that one of the names they would give her daughter was...Sheila!  What an honour.

Making Banga Soup

We have a beautiful yard which has lots of wonderful trees in it.  One has oranges, another bananas.  The one pictured below is a species of palm tree.

Along the trunk are bunches of palm kernels that look like this:

One Nigerian delicacy that is made from this is "Banga Soup".  It is quite the process to make, and its preparation becomes a group affair.  Here are some snapshots of the process below.

Palm kernels being cooked down.

At the same time the cocoyam is also cooked until soft.

Next, the palm kernels are pounded down using a mortar and pestle.

Greens are washed

Cocoyam is also pounded

Palm kernels have been cooked down.

Parts all come together...

And then....I forgot to take a picture of the final product and all of us enjoying it too!!  Oops.

But there is a wonderful website called All Nigerian Recipes that also shares the process.  P.S.  It is a great website if you want to try making your own Nigerian food!

Here is the link for Banga Soup:  http://www.allnigerianrecipes.com/soups/banga-soup.html

Eunice's 40th Birthday Testimony

Eunice is one of the first friends I made when I moved to Nigeria in 2001.  Her and her family have been like family to me.  We have shared many joys and sorrows together.  She is kind, loving, and encouraging!

Here are some old pictures I pulled up from my archives...

Now here is the thing about Eunice.

She has sickle cell anemia.  This is a blood disorder connected to her red blood cells that cause problems such as attacks of pain (crisis).  Most people's life expectancy is much lower.  I personally know a number of people who have died from this disorder in the years I have been here.

Well, last month we celebrated Eunice's 40th birthday!  See her testimony as posted on Facebook below:

God is sooooo great!!!!

As a child, I heard quite a few negative statements from Doctors, teachers, relatives, books, et. al, that I may not make it to my 20s, but God’s protection, the love of my family and friends countered this horrible thought.

Today, I am forty. So, sickle cell anemia, EAT YOUR HEART OUT. I have won this battle. Cheers to the next flawless 40 years filled with love, joy, grace, favour, open doors, blessings and protection.

And so we had a PARTY!  In true Eunice fashion, we celebrated in style.  The 40 guests were all asked to dress in white.  We had a beautiful dinner and a time of reminiscing on Eunice's life and what she means to us.  And of course laughing and dancing!

photo credit @olatoxic

photo credit @olatoxic

photo credit @olatoxic

photo credit @olatoxic

photo credit @olatoxic

photo credit @olatoxic

Join us in praising God for Eunice's life!

Benin

We have had the privilege of working with a Nigerian missionary in the Republic of Benin.  Her name is Teju.  She has a vision to impact the lives of girls and women through her ministry "Fondation Deborah".  Equipping teachers with a Biblical worldview and a renewed mind when it comes to education is one way she believes the lives of girls can be transformed.

This month marked my third visit to Cotonou, the nation's capital where we have been working on going through the Educational Care modules.  This month - we worked on Module 2 - How Do Students Learn? and Module 3 - Developing Student Gifts.

The training is all in French - and while I can speak it, I am out of practice and quite tired at the end of each day.  It was exciting to hear how their action plans were implemented and see the group grow together into a more cohesive community.  Praise God for this group of leaders!

One report on Module 1 Action Plan was from Guy:  My goal was that the students in one of my classes would understand the necessity of living in community.  It was difficult!  They didn’t have a good foundation, but they did have a thirst to understand.  My first activity was helping them to see they are created in the image of God and as a result treat one another accordingly.  In addition to specific teaching, I was also conscious of my example to them.  They accepted this idea and many of them did change their actions towards one another.  But they often would forget and need to be reminded.  In this light, I also wanted them to understand that God created each of them regardless of culture, religion or language.  I also wanted them to treat each other with more respect by greeting one another.  I incorporated this and when I forgot to do this at the beginning of class, they were reminding me!  Other changes I found occurred overall as a result were changes in me.  My teaching and relating with students changed.  My relationships with students improved, I got to know them better and was more approachable.  I also saw more connections with our Biblical worldview module and the courses I teach and worked to bring these ideas out.

Here are a few pictures of our class in action:

Some children learn by SEEING.

Teachers trying to communicate their learning in pictures.

Small Group Learning

A drama showing what happens when a community works together

More drama

Tea Time

Floriane presents her action plans for the next few months.

Liberia

Jonathan and I had the privilege of conducting the Educational Care training with a group of teachers from the Vine School System of Christ in Monrovia, Liberia.  We had been invited by One Body, One Hope. 

It was a busy and eventful week.  We had a large group - exposed to the inductive teaching approach and the concept of action planning.  We went through Module 1 - the Biblical Worldview.  Teachers explored how their faith is integral to their teaching.  Some of their testimonies can be found below in the midst of the pictures.  Join us in giving glory to God for a great week!

Small Group Discovery and Discussion

"This teaching has transformed and renewed my mind with the full understanding that everything including my students and even education belongs to God. " Josephine 

Darric (one of the school leaders) is enjoying Jonathan's contribution to the group discussion.

"I have learnt that this exercise is not about getting things done, but engaging in activities that will bring about Kingdom change. Because all creation is groaning including my students I should help alleviate their pain instead of adding to it. Also, the world can be made right when I exercise peace, justice and generosity.  I have learnt to love and care for God’s creation. Thank you for the opportunity. " Darric 

Some small group chatting with the nursery school teachers.

"From the teaching I learnt that God if the creator of heaven and Earth, that all things belong to Him. I also learnt that mocking my students cannot bring about humility and most of the problems we have as humans it’s because of lack of faith and trust in God which often lead us to sin. This training will enable me to teach my students how to love and care for one another." Omelia 

Large group circle time.

Terry sharing his action plan with Jonathan.

Praying over action plans.

"I understand in this class from Sheila that the goal for kingdom change as an educator, I should first of all be transformed as God intended me to be and to also transform the students as well." Korpo 

Clothing presentation and photo opportunity with Pastor Emmanuel Bimba, the pastor and head of ministry.

We did it!  Module 1 complete and action plans written!

This training has given me a sense of direction in other to treat my students in a Godly way and to set a good example in my community and country. Prince

Educational Care has really made me to understand my role as a teacher to the community that I am not only to be teaching curriculum but also be teaching the students. Stephen

 I am grateful to God for being part of this training. The training has deepened my understanding in a lot of ways as a teacher, most especially in seeing and appreciating God through his creation. And also seeing my students as God’s creations that have been entrusted into my care. The teaching really changed my views and understanding about the teaching profession. Emmanuel

 We also had the privilege of enjoying missionary guest house accommodation on the beach!  This was our view from the guest house each evening - when it wasn't raining!

Kenneth and Esther's Wedding

Kenneth is one of our security men here at the Daniel Center.  He has also been trained (and is training others) in Trauma Healing (see article here).

This weekend we had the privilege of celebrating his wedding day!  We traveled to Jos and danced and celebrated with him and his wife Esther.

Daniel Centre Staff minus Kenneth. 

Exchanging of Vows

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth

The Order of Service was printed in this notebook - so it doubles as a souvenier!

One of the "uniforms" of the day

Kaka

Elisha

Kasimu

Dancing in to the reception

The cutting of the cake