Yesterday, I made my first presentation about HIV/AIDS to a Junior Secondary School. It went really well despite the rough beginning. I was so nervous that the students couldn't understand what I was saying with my accent and speed of speaking. Penny had to give me the signal to slow down! Anyway, I did manage to relax and the students were great listeners and participants. I have been working on this presentatation for over two weeks. It is a series of three, one-hour presenstations talking about HIV/AIDS, building healthy relationship, and love. I will visit five schools in the next five weeks. The meeting with the director of education went very well, though, he was more interested in the fact that I was Jamaican than the work I wanted to do (hehee). When I went greet the teachers of the Junior Secondary School, I also received a warm welcome. One teacher said that he wants to students to hear any good thing. Well, they will certainly hear the Good News.
I am the first short term missionary in Tumu, so I am told that I am the pilot project. The director of SIM Ghana has wanted to begin a project in the schools about HIV (within the context of healthy, moral relationships) so I am a working that through with Penny. The door of opportunity are flying open. Everyone (teachers, principals, NGOs, pastors) we have talked to about such a project have been really encouraging to us. HIV is not a problem in Ghana like other African countries, but there is the potential (of course) if young people aren't educated about the realities of the disease. There are a lot of myths flying around and a huge stigma against those who are HIV positive.
Two weeks ago, I began discipling the teen girls in the Tumu church. We are working through a book called the Foundations of Faith. Each study looks at a basic (foundational) truth about God and man, for example, God created all things; God hates sin; God loves man. In our short time together, I still don't have a good feel for the group. They are a lot of fun, but while we are studying the Bible together, they are more reserved. I know this has to do with the teaching style that they are used to (lecture rather than discussion) and the fact that I am still new to them. Whether I see it or not, I want them to grow in their faith, and knowledge of God. Please pray that our time together will be 'growthful' for them (and me).
Each Sunday, I teach adult Sunday School (until July 29). The congregation comprises mostly elderly women who cannot read and are used to an oral tradition, so the lessons are in the form of a story. Since my Sisaali is still muamua (small small, i.e. very poor) I have a translator. My lesson have been/ will be about Christian living as taught in a few parables and other passages. When I am teaching, I don't always know if anything makes sense to the listeners, but after the fact, in conversation, I can see that they are learning. It can be hard for these Sisaali (and us Westerners) to tease apart "religion" from "tradition", but that is the main work. Penny ("my" missionary) says that she has really seen growth in the congregation from the time the left Ghana ten months ago. Please pray for the Tumu church that they don't compromise the gospel while maintaining their identity as Sisaali.
Penny meets with women in various villages in and around Tumu to discuss health and Christian living. I have gone with her to two of these meetings, and I will start health teaching for these groups in two weeks. I'll likely teach about nutrition.
The pastor of Tumu church, Pastor Edward, and his wife have been mentors, of sort, for my time here. They are not Sisaali, but they are Ghanaians so they can give me some insight into the culture that foreigner and Sisaali can't. I also meet with them biweekly for prayer and chill time, which is essential. On Friday this week, Penny and I will travel to Chiana (~ 1 hour's drive, I think) to meet with the SIM missionaries in the north of Ghana for prayer day. Some missionaries don't have phones, so we have radio contact twice a day, but it is not sufficient for good conversation and fellowship, so each month, we meet for prayer day.
Penny and I manage to go running, 2 - 3 times a week. We start at 0600h now since the rains have started and it's not as hot. The cooler weather (rather, the less humid weather) is lovely. It is still 30oC most days, but not so uncomfortable that I feel lethargic. Please thank God with me that I am healthy and able to work here. Pray that the lessons I present to the sunday school, girls in the Bible study, and the students in the Junior Secondary Schools, and relevant and "growthful".
Thanks for reading ~*
Wednesday 27 June 2007
Thursday 7 June 2007
Spirited away from the virtual world
If you're still checking this I'm impressed. I feel like I've been away for a long time. Anyway ...
I am currently in Tumu, Ghana, where I'll be living until August. Since my last blog I've spent time with various SIM missionaries in different villages. "My" missionary just returned from the UK this week, so I'm just settling in with her now. She is a lovely woman, and it has been good getting to know her. Her name is Penny. This morning, we went for a short jog (20 minutes) at 5:30 am to miss the heat. She finished the London marathon this year, so I know she can whip me into shape.
After I left Accra three weeks ago, I travelled to surrounding villages to see the work of SIM missionaries. It is interesting to see the contrast between the city and villlage. While Accra was always bustling, the villages were quite. And even more quiet was the road between the villages. As Sherri and I drove along, we'd not see a single person/car/animal for up to a half an hour. We just bumped along the pot-holed road talking to each other and singing along with her CDs. There were certainly times when I wondered what kind of place I'd be staying in for the next four months.
When we arrived, we were greeted by the friendly watchman at the house and made to feel welcome right away. Neither Sherri nor I knew anything about Tumu, so we biked around learning together. We met the church people and the pastor whom I'll work with. That pastor is from another region of Ghana, so he is learning the language (Sisaali) and the life here in Tumu as well. The first impression of the church was a good one, and I look forward to supporting them. After a week in Tumu, I went Chiana, then Yagaba, then Kubugu, then Bolgatanga, then Chiana, then Tumu. This time was mostly for me to get acquainted with my HIV/AIDS teaching material, Islam, and Sisaala culture and to see what the SIMmers are doing. Penny ("my misisonary") picked my up on Saturday, and I have finally unpacked my suitcases for the first time in a month.
Penny lost no time in getting me started on my work here. I have a language instructor and I am learning Sisaali Tumulung for the next two weeks. I have lessons in the morning, then in the afternoon, I go and try out what I have learned. The watchmen and our neighbours are fun to practise with. They are patient as I stumble through their language. Penny and I are still waiting for the director of Education to return from somewhere so that we can meet to discuss HIV/AIDS teaching in the schools. He should be return this week or next, but time in Ghana is not like time in Canada. I begin teaching adult Sunday School, the weekend after next. There is a lot a teaching material (books and tapes) but it's a matter of coming up with relevant teaching for the congregation, which is mostly grandmothers. Prayers on that are much appreciated. I will have a translator with me, so that adds another thing to any lesson I do. Lastly, I will begin discipling some of the young girls in the church. THe pastor, Pastor Edward, really wants to see the girls become leaders/helpers with the children in order to develop a good children's program.
So, three things (AIDS teaching, Sunday school, discipleship) in a week is plenty, with prep time and all. Visiting neighbours and friends is very important to Ghanaians, so Penny and I spend a lot of time greeting and visiting. Please pray that I can balance my time in order to get things done, but that I am flexible enough to go with the flow of the culture. So far so good (but I haven't started any of these things yet, I am still just preparing as I learn the language).
OK, just two more things, particularly for those who have lived with me. My days here usually begin between 5:30 and 6:00 am and I'm in bed by 10:00 at the latest. I still can't believe my shift in sleeping patterns, but everyone in the town, it seems, is out working by 5:30 am get started before the heat of the day comes. Children arrive at school at 6:00 am and I usually see them wandering back home around 2:00 pm. Lastly, Penny and I have reached an agreement for our time together. She will cook for us and I will clean up the kitchen and dining area for us. This is a sweet deal since she cooks quite well! Our househelp will work Tuesdays and Fridays, so we'll have "local" food once a week. What I've had of the local food so far is good. More on that later, since my time here at the internet cafe is nearly up.
Thank you for your funny/encouraging/strange e-mails and comments. It's always good to hear from home.
Thanks for reading ~*
I am currently in Tumu, Ghana, where I'll be living until August. Since my last blog I've spent time with various SIM missionaries in different villages. "My" missionary just returned from the UK this week, so I'm just settling in with her now. She is a lovely woman, and it has been good getting to know her. Her name is Penny. This morning, we went for a short jog (20 minutes) at 5:30 am to miss the heat. She finished the London marathon this year, so I know she can whip me into shape.
After I left Accra three weeks ago, I travelled to surrounding villages to see the work of SIM missionaries. It is interesting to see the contrast between the city and villlage. While Accra was always bustling, the villages were quite. And even more quiet was the road between the villages. As Sherri and I drove along, we'd not see a single person/car/animal for up to a half an hour. We just bumped along the pot-holed road talking to each other and singing along with her CDs. There were certainly times when I wondered what kind of place I'd be staying in for the next four months.
When we arrived, we were greeted by the friendly watchman at the house and made to feel welcome right away. Neither Sherri nor I knew anything about Tumu, so we biked around learning together. We met the church people and the pastor whom I'll work with. That pastor is from another region of Ghana, so he is learning the language (Sisaali) and the life here in Tumu as well. The first impression of the church was a good one, and I look forward to supporting them. After a week in Tumu, I went Chiana, then Yagaba, then Kubugu, then Bolgatanga, then Chiana, then Tumu. This time was mostly for me to get acquainted with my HIV/AIDS teaching material, Islam, and Sisaala culture and to see what the SIMmers are doing. Penny ("my misisonary") picked my up on Saturday, and I have finally unpacked my suitcases for the first time in a month.
Penny lost no time in getting me started on my work here. I have a language instructor and I am learning Sisaali Tumulung for the next two weeks. I have lessons in the morning, then in the afternoon, I go and try out what I have learned. The watchmen and our neighbours are fun to practise with. They are patient as I stumble through their language. Penny and I are still waiting for the director of Education to return from somewhere so that we can meet to discuss HIV/AIDS teaching in the schools. He should be return this week or next, but time in Ghana is not like time in Canada. I begin teaching adult Sunday School, the weekend after next. There is a lot a teaching material (books and tapes) but it's a matter of coming up with relevant teaching for the congregation, which is mostly grandmothers. Prayers on that are much appreciated. I will have a translator with me, so that adds another thing to any lesson I do. Lastly, I will begin discipling some of the young girls in the church. THe pastor, Pastor Edward, really wants to see the girls become leaders/helpers with the children in order to develop a good children's program.
So, three things (AIDS teaching, Sunday school, discipleship) in a week is plenty, with prep time and all. Visiting neighbours and friends is very important to Ghanaians, so Penny and I spend a lot of time greeting and visiting. Please pray that I can balance my time in order to get things done, but that I am flexible enough to go with the flow of the culture. So far so good (but I haven't started any of these things yet, I am still just preparing as I learn the language).
OK, just two more things, particularly for those who have lived with me. My days here usually begin between 5:30 and 6:00 am and I'm in bed by 10:00 at the latest. I still can't believe my shift in sleeping patterns, but everyone in the town, it seems, is out working by 5:30 am get started before the heat of the day comes. Children arrive at school at 6:00 am and I usually see them wandering back home around 2:00 pm. Lastly, Penny and I have reached an agreement for our time together. She will cook for us and I will clean up the kitchen and dining area for us. This is a sweet deal since she cooks quite well! Our househelp will work Tuesdays and Fridays, so we'll have "local" food once a week. What I've had of the local food so far is good. More on that later, since my time here at the internet cafe is nearly up.
Thank you for your funny/encouraging/strange e-mails and comments. It's always good to hear from home.
Thanks for reading ~*
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