Two weeks afer arriving in Kenya (January 09),
I was fulfilled. We had the oppostunity while at Africa Based Orientation (ABO), in Machakos, Kenya, to participate in ministry at area churches and schools with the theological college's students (we were living & learning during orientation school at the college). Our second Sunday there we visited Machakos Academy with another family and also a single missionary. I got the chance to teach the 1st-3rd graders' Sunday school class. I had a blast! It was fun, and SO rewarding!! This is what God designed me for! You see, I've wanted to teach children since
I was a child. I've felt God calling me to teach
African children since I was in high school. It was a powerful experience to make a Bible story come alive for these children in a way they might not have experienced before.
We are now searching for a church home in Nairobi (and would greatly appreciate your prayers in this endeavor!), and I can't wait 'til we find one so I can involved in teaching again!
I hope to someday volunteer at a national school here, but don't know how or when God will provide that ministry since he's called me to use these gifts to home school our own three children. I'm so grateful for the tastes of that fulfillment I felt in Machakos, and that -for a teacher- I'm ina land of boundless opportunity!
2 comments:
Hey,
Great blog,
Greetings from Common Ground Program (CGP) based in Kitale, Kenya. My name is Joshua Machinga, the Coordinator of CGP. CGP is a registered Kenyan non-governmental community-based organization with its headquarters in Kitale, Kenya. CGP’s mission is to help mitigate poverty, the single largest threat to human well-being and social stability in Kenya. Poverty breeds hunger, disease, illiteracy and environmental degradation. It also sharpens civil conflicts. To this end, CGP strives to reduce poverty while conserving the Earth's natural heritage and biodiversity, and to demonstrate in a concrete, observable way that modern human societies can live sustainably and comfortably in harmony with nature.
CGP founded and operates a primary school (Pathfinder Academy) with grades 1-8, with over 360 students, mainly orphans and vulnerable children. Each year students and faculty go out to groups such as AIDS widows groups to teach them Biointensive growing methods in order to help them become self-reliant and attain food security. As a result of its community service, the school has received awards from the Ministry of Education for four consecutive years for being the best school in reaching out to communities. Experiences gained at Pathfinder Academy have been shared with many others through local media and international forums, which are being replicated in Tanzania, Zambia, Nepal and UK.
CGP works with communities to use and adapt their existing technologies and resources; helps strengthen local institutions; uses participatory methodologies; brings in expertise to focus on the needs of the community; is gender sensitive; promotes income generation; promotes environmental protection; and implements childhood education and protection programs.
From your blog you asked if you can find a place to volunteers. Please you are up to it please let me know. Send and email to tcground@gmail.com.
Blessings,
Joshua Machinga.
Joshua,
I would love to come visit your school. Unfortunately we are currently living in Nairobi, and quite a distance from Kitale. If we have the opportunity to be in the area, I will be sure to visit!
Thanks for the offer and information!
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