As teachers move in and out of the program, one challenge that
the BEC faces is to rapidly build confidence and trust by students of the new fieldworkers
and ensure they can continue lessons with minimal upset. (A challenge for any curriculum).
A special invitation is sent to all students to attend an
evening of introduction and welcome. Welcome (to new students and teachers) and farewell (to fieldworkers going home).
The evening also provides an opportunity to share the lives,
family stories and study challenges. Frequently students who are
living away from home and are in need of “parents” and mentors to guide their
decisions. Listening to the many challenges they face, the very limited budget available, often the meagre incentive from family and the few resources they have along with a schooling system that
has developed few skills in research, initiative and ambition. This time is also valuable to answer specific question and student queries, encourage personal Bible reading and importantly listen to individual
needs. (e.g. A student couldn’t come for
2 days recently due to his having to travel to Thailand to be next to an Aunt who
was flown to Thailand having suffered a severe head injury following a moto
accident),
A short talk provides a backdrop for the occasion. A need to
inspire young people to read carefully and take words and meaning from the word
of God. One of the best ways I found to so this is to find a picture story .
The Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiasties provide a rich source for these
descriptive stories and benefit all of the young people in any country. The
fear of Yahweh is the beginning of Wisdom says the writer of Proverbs so for
students to understand who God is, his purpose and methods along with the value
of learning from His Word as distinct from just learning to pass an exam or complete
a subject is critical. The voice of the
Wisdom like a woman crying out to a busy street , being ignored and shunned - an
apt description of many places western and eastern in the world. One student
recently commented “why aren’t more people more interested in Gods message”. The
need to “remember our Creator in youth” is urgent in any country. The blessing
of listening and acting on the words of the wise is relevant in any culture.
A can be seen below some students bring young children
along, as their daily routine includes transporting siblings and relatives home
from school.
The balcony is festooned with balloons, a meal prepared by the
brethren and sisters and special soft drinks accompanied with huge lumps of
ice. The atmosphere is a mixture of reflection and enthusiasm due to the change
of teacher and introducing the new “foreigners”. The time also introduces new students to the
attendees and welcomes returning student who have been on leave to the province
to assist in seeding or harvesting. It
is also an interaction between the brethren and sisters and the students an
active and vibrant group that will connect them with English and the Bible. For
senior students there is time to discuss their progress in bible studies and
university, plans for future and understand the troubles and concerns they
face. There is an air of cheer and happiness mostly with young people and Bre
and sisters enjoying a small moment of freedom before returning to study, work
or assisting their parents, it becomes a time of valuable interaction and
association loved by students and teachers alike.
Enjoy the following smiles !
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| Jessica - Still the star of the show ! |
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