Joyful Hellos, Difficult Goodbyes

Last Sunday was filled with celebrations of how the Lord has worked through Harry and Bea Ward.  The impact they made was evident as numerous people gave testimonies, sang songs, and preached about missions.  Although it is difficult to see them leave, we praise the Lord for the mighty work he has done in their life and continues to do so.  Sunday afternoon, I went to a program at church for the young women which is any age from 13 to single women.  The time was spent learning new songs, praying to stay pure in the Lord, and reading scripture about allowing God to abide in us.  Most of the meeting was done in Ewe except for the bible reading which were all done in French.  It was interesting to me that they read the bible in one language but then read the bible in another.  They are so talented.  Thankfully, the first grade teacher from school went and she translated everything into French for me.  I have enjoyed getting involved in church and getting to know other women who are just wanting to please the Lord through their lives.

Monday, Bea and I found ourselves on the road again as we visited three schools which Dongoyo being the farthest.  This school is in Kara which is closer to Benin and about 6 hours away.  Although it was a long journey, I love seeing the countryside and it actually feeling like Africa with the dirt roads and tropical foliage.  I loved visiting the Kara school as they only have 60 children and most of them understand French better than the mother tongue.  We arrived right before school commenced again for the afternoon session so this gave me ample time to play games with all the kids.  I love interacting with all of them and seeing their smiling faces to play with a Yovo.  I was also impressed with their classrooms and the posters they hang everywhere to make up for lack of lighting.  We then left early Tuesday morning to visit the rest of the schools 5 hours south in Lome.  What a blessing it was to see the teachers active in their students’ learning and making the best of their situations.   Some of the rooms are very small and tight and others just have too many students like 70 in a second grade room.  I visited one second grade room before school started for the afternoon.  I was pointing to the pictures of Moses and they were telling me all about the life of Moses and how his sister Miriam put him in the river.  I was so impressed by their ability to understand stories in the Bible and I tried to express the love that the Lord has for them.  They even understood the French lessons that I had helped the teachers with over the summer which is a great sign. 

By Wednesday afternoon, we had successfully visited 14 schools in 5 days so Bea could have a picture of each school and pray with all the teachers.   I missed two days of teaching but it has been so helpful to see the large picture with the functioning of all the schools. Please pray for one school in particular who is struggling at the moment to pay their teachers.  Pray they take the responsibility for their own action and decide what is best to do. 

I have forgotten to tell you about a huge prayer request.  A Togolese man who has helped Bea for years has three daughters.  The youngest one, four years old, became very ill a few weeks ago and they discovered that she has a tumor in her head.  This is a huge concern in the states, but we are in a third world country where there are no brain surgeons.  After looking at many options, they have decided to transport her to the states for surgery.  Of course this is difficult to do as she first has to receive a national card before she can get a passport.  A national card is pretty much an easy way for the government to make money.  While we were in Lome on Wednesday, we went to the national government office and with the help of a lawyer, we were able to get her papers signed.  I must explain that when we entered the office, there were stacks of the pink national papers by the secretary office, just hanging out in the hallway.  They looked like they had been picked up several times after falling from run-ins.  What a fabulous filing system and we wonder why things take forever here.  The paper was supposed to be signed by the afternoon but now we are waiting on the passport and then the visa for the stats.  Please pray that she can fly to the states by the end of this week to have the surgry.  God is sovereign. 

I was excited to return to my school on Thursday and everyone was very friendly to welcome me back.  I was especially grateful to see my students and continue learning English.  They don’t understand why we don’t write more down because I need them to understand instead of just copy down words to memorize so we are learning to trust each other.  I have been helping the middle school teacher create some activities to help with verb conjugations and I watched an excellent lesson as he had the students match the words together in a variety of ways.  I was really impressed.  Well, at one point he did have a student kneel on the dirt ground because he didn’t conjugate the verbs correctly but we are taking baby steps.  The math teacher asked me why he shouldn’t announce the students’ grades aloud.  I tried my best to explain that it could stop the kids from trying if they get discouraged but I don’t know if I convinced him.  He also had the tests arranged from worst to best so I quickly shuffled them around while he was talking to the students.  I know I am a pain but these middle school teachers haven’t had much training so I am trying to help them out although my methods might not be the best way.  Bea has taught me that we must help the teachers understand why we do certain things in a certain way.  The teachers must constantly be thinking, are the students benefiting if I call their answers aloud or leave the room for 10 minutes at a time.  It is all about forming new habits which I am still working on as well.  I feel bad giving them advice but I try to remember that I am learning as well and don’t have all the answers.  We are all a work in progress.

 

The beginning of the week came with beautiful welcomes, and the end of the week brought tough good byes as Harry and Bea left for Ghana to fly out today.  I have enjoyed every moment with the Wards and have learned so much about the culture and how to best help the schools.  The Togolese are very thankful for their ministry here and I will never be able to replace them, just continue the work that they have started.  Luckily, they are only an email away and I know we will be in constant contact.  I have been privileged to have an amazing mentor and I must now make her proud by staying focused on the schools. 

Saturday brought an exciting adventure as I traveled into Ghana to meet up with my friend Kim from AIS.  We met about 2 hours outside of Accra by Lake Volta which is the largest man-made lake in the world(There is your interesting fact of the day!)  I know it seemed ridiculous to travel 4 hours to see someone for about 4 hours but it was so worth it as she is a dear friend.  We also like to do ridiculous things so this was right up our alley.  I was able to hire a moto to take me to the border and then took trotro’s the rest of the way.  I kept wanting to speak French while in Ghana but my Ghanaian accent luckily came back and I was good to go.  I was so blessed with the opportunity to see her and I love traveling the countryside as God has created so many spectacular sights for our eyes. 

This week I have learned that friends come and go for a season of time but the Lord continues to be there for us day in and day out.  There is never a moment that he leaves us nor forsakes us and what a huge blessing that is to constantly have the Lord by our sides through thick and think.  Continue to thank the Lord for his blessings that He gives us each day, no matter how small it seems. 

Smiling Throughout the Day

Oh what a glorious week it has been as God has given me the opportunity to teach in the classroom again!  I must admit that I was a  little rusty in my teaching techniques but it was a blessing to be with children.  I must say that the first day of school  was one that I have never experienced before.  It took forever for school to start as they were still registering for school and most of the classes have over 50 children.  We are happy for the numbers but it is hard to accomplish anything with so many students.  I spent sometime with the KG students and I got out the blocks for them to play with but none of them knew what to do.  Luckily, I am an expert on playing and had to build with the blocks first before they began to touch them and build towers.  I was surprised but this but I guess now is the perfect time to teach them.

In the afternoon, I taught my two English classes and loved the interaction with the children.  I did things totally different than they are use to as I spoke in English most of the time and had them act out everything I did.  They were confused at first as they usually take notes about everything but after awhile they began to enjoy the new way of learning.  The French teacher told them they were going to learn how to speak English like a white person and have an american accent but then he tried to translate everything to them in French.  I had to nicely explain to him that there was a reason that I was speaking in English and after a few days he began to see the benefits.  Please pray that I can memorize all of their names as I have 36 7th grade students and 8 8th grade students.  The 8th grade students are all new to the school as the school is just old enough for the 7th grade class to have gone through the other grades so we are happy with these brave 8 who have decided to try our school.  What a blessing that there are so many children who can hear about Christ each and every day!

Tuesday morning, I was walking around the classrooms, when I peered into first grade where they were busily playing with playdough and finding the proper way in which to handle it.  I then glanced to the left where all the KG students were using the bathroom outside and then glanced to the right where the many second grade students were left alone in their class.  It definitely differs from class to class but I am praying for ways to encourage these teachers to stay engaged with their students all day.  Yes, it is tiring with so many students but we only have so much time to share Christ with them.  I enjoy watching the first grade teacher as I think we are very similar in teaching styles.  The kids were already learning and memorizing a bible verse on the very first day.  The uses playdough and lots of gestures to engage the kids.  The kids throw their backpacks in a pile by her desk so they are not using them during the day which is something I would definitely do.  The best part was though, when she was explaining the difference between high and low, she stood on the desks to get the point across of high.  I loved it as I spent many of moments standing on desks.  I think you just remember things better that way!

Later in the day, I was watching a middle school chemistry class and afterwards was talking with the teacher about different ways to make it interactive.  I then showed him how he could use playdough to make the different atoms and I had about 4 teachers around me making hydrogen, water, you name it!  They asked when they would get their playdough but I told them they just had to borrow it from first grade.  I am opening their minds to a new way of teaching but I also want them to know that I am learning as well and don't have all the answers. 

The week continued as I watched classes and listened to books of the bible being sung in French,  Bible verses being memorized, and praise being given for the great work of the students.  I met with the French teacher to ask him what he observed when I taught.  The first thing he said was you smile all the time.  I almost laughed at this was instead said, well I love teaching, so it is impossible not to smile.  To me, smiling and laughing are a natural part of teaching but as I watched the other teachers they kind of a have a concerned look on their face during the period.  Bea said that I look at all the students to make sure they are participating while most teachers just stare in the same direction.  There are things that I just take for granite but realize are not a usual practice for most.  However, I should never take even smiling for granite as it can be such a comfort to kids who never receive smiles from others.  What's the saying?  Smile and the world smiles with you?  I struggle some days because I don't know how much of a difference I am making but I have learned to be faithful in the small things and if I must smile to help ease the tension and make them feel loved, then that is what I will do. 

On Thursday, Bea and I traveled to Kpalime(don't pronounce the K) where we have 4 schools but is only a half an hour away from where we live.  Bea wants to have a picture of each school before she leaves and pray with all the teachers.  I loved seeing all the children in their cute little uniforms learning scripture and feeling loved in their environment.  At each school, we would gather all the students outside for a picture and then the driver and I would sing songs with the kids while Bea talked with the teachers.  The students would sing a song and then when they would finish, another student would just start singing another and they would all chime in.  It was amazing to watch and of course they are children so after awhile it got a little rowdy but it was so fun to be part of an atmosphere where we were all praising the Lord in either Ewe, French, or English.  On Friday, we went to a school about an hour away where all the teachers have matching uniforms.  Now, when I say it is an hour ride, I really mean that there are so many craters in the ground that it takes a few minutes to drive through or around each on.  At some points, there is not a paved road at all, but just one crater joined to another crater with large muddy puddles inside of them.  It makes for a nauscious sort of ride but thankfully the view of the mountains with the rocks jutting out of the foliage helped compensate for this.  We also took a picture at La Lumiere where I work.  This actually was the most challenging place because they didn't understand the concept of all standing close together so I could get them all in the same picture.  We finally made it though and then I dashed off to teach my class.  The students wanted to learn a song so we sang "If you are happy and you know it."  They loved it but wanted to copy the words.  I told them that it is more important they listen to me first and learn the words before they just copy it but again, it is engrained in them that they just copy down everything they do. 

The first week of school ended with a work project in the afternoon for the older students although some younger ones came as well.  Of course at first, we played soccer untilt he majority showed up which I thought was a good use of time.  Now, when the students came back to work, can you imagine what they brought with them?  They of course brought their machetes, hoes, and brooms from palm branches.  This definitely is a different sight than in America because first of all could you imagine a principal telling kids to come back later and clean up the yard with their outdoor tools.  I am sure the principal would have a lawsuit against him or something.  Anyways, for awhile the students did busy themselves with hoeing up the weeds, cutting down the tall grass, or sweeping out the classrooms.  One group even made a bridge to go over the muddy path.  I even did some weeding with the hoe to everyone's surprise but it is my school to so I must take part.  I had a little group of boys who rushed to pick up the weeds I had left behind and they were even stealing weeds from each other so they would have the most.  Whatever keeps them entertained.  Now, these are still children so after while they did become tired of working so decided to play instead.  Please remember that these children were carrying hoes, brooms, and machetes with them.  So please picture with me children running around and playing while still holding their tool of choice.  It makes one dangerous playground but I none of the reported any injuries.

What a blessing it was to begin school and see the Lord work in mighty ways this week.  Please continue to pray for good conversations with the teachers and that I can begin to share Christ with the students.  Also pray as Bea and I travel a great distrance in 3 days to visit the remaining 8 schools. 

Finalement, La Rentree!

After months of planning and weeks of cutting out materials, the day has finally come, as I have expressed above, finally, the first day of school.  Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the last month of cutting out clocks and laminating posters, but I am ready to teach and be with the students.  I have been blessed to have had the time to adjust and to acclimate to the curriculum before being thrown into everything but it is a blessing to finally do what I love the most, being with the students!   Although I have been anticipating Monday to come, the past week has been filled with milestones as I am beginning to settle into my life here.  Well, the week started off interesting as on my way home from Bea’s house, the moto I was riding on suddenly got a flat tire.  We began to swerve from left to right and at one point, it was so close to the ground that I had to put my left foot down.  Fortunately, the driver was also able to get his feet on the ground and stabilized before we hit the pavement.  I am not sure why I am sharing this story, but the main point is God provides in every way, even keeping a motorcycle from tipping over when it should have.  After I hopped off quickly, some bystanders came over to ask us if we were okay.  They said to me, “Bon courage” and were very comforting.  I admit that I was a little shaken up after that, but God provided and all was well. I did receive a gift after this event as my armoire was delivered.  I am no longer living out of a suitcases, but have a fresh smelling varnish armoire to neatly stack my clothes in. 

Well, if that was too boring for you to read, maybe I can find something more interesting.   Oh I finally finished laminating clocks this week and Philo, the lady I live with, helped me poke the holes in them for the brads.  She kept saying, “You try” and enjoyed using the locks herself as students never had manipulatives to use in class.  At one point, she left and came back with this mischievous look.  I then realized she had a sharp tool in her hand in which to poke the holes in the clock.  This worked wonders and we finished the process quickly.  I enjoy spending time with Philo and sharing with her new things that she has never experienced before. 

I was walking down the main street in town, going to the copy man, one of my favorite pastimes, and I heard a little voice calling to me from a shop.  I just assumed that he was calling me Yovo, but alas he was actually calling out “Davi Christy” (Sister Christy)  Oh happy Day!  It gets better because on Friday, I passed this small group of children by the road cheering out Yovo, I said hello and kept walking until all of a sudden one of them quietly said Davi Christy.  Ok, to most, this is not a big thing but I don’t want to be just another white person to these children but I want to be their Auntie, or bring a smile to their face because they actually know me.  Just wait, because it gets even better!  There are a few children who live a few doors down from me whose father works at the hospital.  I finally took the time to play with them and they kept calling me, “Davi Christy.”  I am saddened that it took me over a month to really love on these children but I guess it is never too late.  I am praying for the opportunity to begin a kid’s club for these children and someone who speaks Ewe as most of the children do not know French.  What a blessing it is to being smiles and laughter to small children who are overlooked or work at a young age.  Last Sunday, I was walking to the hospital, when I came across some girls in their early teens, walking home carrying large bowls on their heads.  Their mother tongue is Cabille but to communicate, they would ask each other how to say something in French, and then they would pose the question to me.  They would say things like I like your hair(they have to cut theirs off)  or you walk fast which is true.  They were so cute and it was a blessing to just love on these children and tell them that they are beautiful because the Lord made them special. 

Since the word is getting around that I am teaching English at the school, everyone wants to take advantage of this.  Some high school boys approached me after church last week to ask if they could take some lessons from me since the English lessons at school are not adequate to learn the language.  Then, there is a nursing student at the hospital who also wants to improve his English.  He lives in the house behind mine which is very convenient and we had our first lesson last Friday night.  Please pray for the opportunity to help these young people learn English but most importantly that I will have a platform to share Christ with them. 

Last Thursday, Roger and I met with the other middle school teachers to encourage the before school began.  They seemed excited to work with the students and Roger expressed the importance of sharing Christ with their students.  After this, they decided to write the middle school schedule on the chalkboard.  Now, this is where my American culture does not match with the French way of making everything perfect.  To begin with, it took them at least ten minutes to draw the lines for this huge table.  Then they had to color code everyone’s name and subject that they would teach which took another 20 minute decision.  Almost an hour later, we had this masterpiece on the wall to show the schedule but in my American mind, I just wanted to say, slap it on there, we are wasting time.  However, this is a time when I must accept their culture and enjoy the slower pace life that it brings.  If they want to spend time on this, that is their decision.  Yes, patience is a blessing from God.  So, we now have a schedule set and we are ready for school on Monday!  I will be teaching mostly in the afternoon so I can visit other schools in the morning.  I am going to focus on the Kg-2^nd grade to help them use centers so they can work with small groups.  The first grade teacher at La Lumiere was training a new first grade teacher and it was so encouraging to each her talk.  She was telling him the importance of using different teaching styles since all the students learn differently.  She also stressed the importance of having a lot of patience and just love for the students as many of them do not receive love at home as their parents work long hours.  Sometimes they don’t want to do any work but when she takes the time to listen to the, she realized a lot of them have missed meals or have not slept.  She also is passionate about sharing Christ with her students as she told us that it is important to pray with her students since they might not hear about God at home.  I was very encouraged to listen to her each day and look forward to working with her this year.

Roger and I decided that each Friday afternoon I would spend two hours with the middle school girls to teach them life skills and to help give them confidence so they can say no to temptation.  Roger said that a lot of girls will say that it is impossible to resist this temptation as it is the way of life but I want these girls’ to have a future and get out of poverty.  However, Roger also expressed that most Togolese don’t make goals for themselves or think about the future as they must think about where they will get their next meal.  This is a problem but I pray that I can glean understanding in their culture so they can see the Lord as a light in their life, a light that they can run to, instead of running to a boy for happiness.  Philo, who is a midwife, told me the number is staggering of young girls who are pregnant and want an abortion.  A boy gives them money and food so they are willing to do anything for him.  Unfortunately, the boy leaves, their family abandons them, and they are left pregnant without a choice.  She pinpoints the main problem on poverty which is not a new scientific finding although researchers probably should have asked her before they spent years figuring this out.  However, we have a tool that most researchers do not use.  We have Jesus Christ, and if we share the Good News with these girls, that he is worth following more than a boy, we can end the cycle of poverty, and they can make a future for themselves.  Her eyes were filling with tears as she spoke this to me as she has seen too many girls give up their lives due to a pregnancy.  This will not be easy but by listening to the Lord’s will, I know he can being to shine light in these young girls’ lives so they can run to him for warmth, food, and happiness instead of temptation. 

 

So, kind of a heavy topic to share with maybe strangers but it is on my heart so I must share it.  I also say this week two piglets , millions of pregnant goats, and wild turkeys just in a small radius of my house.  Maybe this information will lighten the mood!  The world is filled with darkness but continue to be a light for the Lord in wherever you may serve!