Cardboard Lessons

Just what exactly is this picture about? If you’ve been well “churched” you might recognize my co-worker modeling the “armor of God.”  Hey, don’t laugh.  I fashioned this classy suite with limited supplies - cardboard, duct tape, scissors and a Sharpie marker.  It also happened to be quite a hit with the discipleship class I’m teaching. 

Each Monday night 18 of my ACTS co-workers gather to discuss how to follow Christ in our lives.  I have never met a group of people in North America who have been so eager to learn.  When my co-workers found out that I would be continuing where someone had left off, they were so excited and told me, “We did not know how we would finish the book.”  They all come in their free time after a long day of work. Yes, we all battle natural tiredness, but they come anyway and thank me over and over again after each class.  Faith's eyes lit up when I asked if she wanted to join the class and she exclaimed, “This is the opportunity I have been looking for!”  Another student, Maate, waited patiently for two months to receive his workbook, and when I gave it to him last week he hugged it and thanked me profusely. 

I am always humbled by their thirst for God and desire to learn.  I simply pass on the knowledge and good teaching that has been poured into my life, and they drink it up. I pray that I will also pursue God like they do, and not take for granted what I have been given.

 Enid tries on the "helmet of salvation". 

 

Oh, and about the armor? Well, I loved the plastic "armor of God" we could wear as children, and I simply wanted to share one of my favourite biblical analogies in a memorable, experiential way with my class.  I think they’ll remember it for a while. 

A Few of My Favorite Things

“When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don’t feel so bad...”

“Emuly! Emury!” chilren’s voices yell from beyond the camp’s fence.  I recognized my name even though it can vary greatly around here.  I look up and see several children perched on the large black coils of plastic water pipe. They wave and I wave back; I can see their contagious grins even at this distance.  These are the neighbor children, some of my favourite and most beautiful. They often call for me to “bring my ball” so we can play, and sometimes I do.

Michael and Willis (our cook's boys) and neighborhood children. Usa is in the pink shirt. He's got my favorite smile. (Photo by Ray Pang)

This morning as I sat at my computer I heard my name again, but with a phrase I never heard before. “Emily, I have mango!” I admit, sometimes I ignore their calls, but this time the oldest boy (maybe 8) was holding a small yellow mango in the air.  He called again, “Emily, I have mango!” I decided to go see what they wanted.  I went to the gate and they came running. The oldest boy handed me the mango – it was a gift for me!  Then the younger ones timidly added two more.  I thanked them sincerely – “Wasingya kutsibu.” I was left speechless, my heart stolen by their smiles, thoughtfulness and generosity. They were giving me what they had, and they had brought them just for me. 

This was one of my favorite things. And when I remember these things, missing home doesn’t seem quite so bad.

Rain, Waiting and Presentations

A torrential downpour pounded on the tin roof, its noise echoing between the cement walls and floors of the nearly empty classroom.   The only light came in through the open door and a few barred windows.  Besides the ACTS health team, only a few people occupied the rows of desk/chair “pews”.  The health team was supposed to be presenting on water health and sanitation, but the rain had “disturbed” the villagers, preventing them from coming.  So we sat and waited.  I studied some Runyankole words and admired an acacia tree that looked particularly stunning in the rain.  Was I bothered by the delay? Nope.  I expect to sit around and wait for some reason or another, and rain is as good of a reason as any here because all activity stops for the frequent but short cloudbursts. 

Eventually, the rain passed and people slowly trickled in. We started with 10 adults in attendance.  The newly trained ACTS health volunteers (from the local community) facilitated a lively, interactive teaching session complete with an entertaining yet poignant skit.   I couldn’t understand what was said, but attendees eagerly answered questions and interjected opinions.  I could see that they understood the message and cared about keeping their families and community healthy.  When the presentation ended, the attendance sheet indicated that 41 adults had come, plus many children (see photo above). 

This was the first of many such presentations the health team will give over the next several months.  The environment team will also be teaching on environmental stewardship and various agricultural methods.

 

The environment team (L to R): Jovanice, John, Phineas, January, Dorris, Sadayo.

It is rewarding to see our work as ACTS staff change from collecting information (the survey, data entry and report writing is finally finished!) to training local volunteers and watching them teach their neighbours.  Right now, the volunteers come three days/week for either a training session or to present what they’ve already learned to the community.   When trainings finish next month, we’ll be presenting three times per week.  This training and education of the community is one major way ACTS makes its impact extend beyond the “project” timeline.

Our first meeting with the health and environment volunteers. The ACTS camp is in the background.

Rose and Rachel teach health volunteers beside the neighboring church.  The large black coils are sections of pipe that will be used for the water pipeline.