Everlasting Love Missions: March 2015

Is There Not A Cause!

You may remember last year, I shared about the tragic accident of one of the grade 11 students at Haven of Peace Academy(HOPAC) the school in which I teach, and our children attend. His name was Dawson. He would of been a part of the graduating class of 2015...He was hit while on the back of a piki piki(motor bike). The driver of a Lorry(small truck) hit the bike and just kept driving... Sadly, this is all too common in Dar Es Salaam, the leading city in traffic accidents. The driver may of feared for his life. Often times if a driver kills a pedestrian, the community will render vigilantly style justice. Needless to say, this young boys family was devastated. His mother inconsolable. It was very difficult to see so many of our students hurting & mourning his passing. I felt such a strong burden to pray, to cry out for justice! I felt like David when he knew the Philistine Army was defying the Living God...He said, "Is there not a cause?!" Our Heavenly Father began to stir my heart to take action. At that time, I was not sure what I could do...limited time, language etc. Thankfully our school has a required course, called Service Learning. Upper secondary students are required to complete so many hours each school year. Service Learning provides the students with the opportunity to serve our community partners in many ways, Kids Clubs, Fair Trade NGO's, Orphans, the Environment and several others. This year, they added a new Community Partner, ELM(Everlasting Love Missions), Working directly with us, 3 students helped to put together a Driver and Pedestrian Road Safety Presentation in honor of Dawson their late classmate. This month we launched our first presentation at Essac Primary School, where James also teaches their religion class each week.Ironically we learned that Dawson, was a student in this school during his primary years. We have now presented in several schools and are on our way toward developing Road Safety Clubs.Stay tuned there is MUCH more to come!

Christian, Monica and John

Christian and John

You only feel like HALF a person, until you are made whole

Captures while students were at Dawson's Memorial Service

HOPAC students in blue, with Green Acres Students grade 9

I love what I do!

Second Language Learning Fun!

This Saturday we completed our 4th ESL Teacher Training. Ms. Ann, who is the lead administrator at a local primary school, came more than 30 minutes early today, eager to learn. If you knew Tanzanian culture; you would know, that guest arriving early, almost never happens! She took a seat at the table after picking up a book from the Books to Borrow Table. Eager to learn! The rest of the teachers trickled in, as we began yet another training session. My friend Catherine Kogi, came by today to share about the Montessori method of teaching Language. Our partners are helping to make it possible for us to make education a priority in Dar es salaam!

Sharing the Left to Right method

Hands on leanring

Using our senses

Attentive note takers

Temboni and the Little Church that Could!

Last Sunday, our family got up a little earlier, loaded up the van and headed to a place we had not visited before(well, we had passed by)...we were given directions in Swahili and James felt as though he was somewhat familiar with the location. There are very few street signs, and most paved roads do not offer street signs for the adjoining dirt roads.

We live in a land of dirt roads and grass trails... So, off on our adventure to find the church I would be speaking at that morning. We were told to pass 4 bus stops, turn left and then wait for him; him being the translator. Needless to say, the journey was not without intrigue. We waited on the side of the road for about 30 mins. When we could not get in touch with the pastor or the translator, James decided to keep driving forward, good thing! We were past the 4 bus stops, but in the wrong town! We finally met up with our guide and off to church we went. They were in full swing! We were greeted with shouts of joy and hugs. Two lovely sisters came out to take our Bibles and bags and escort us inside. Sunday school, Singing, dancing, more singing, and more dancing and singing... did I mention more dancing and singing. :) then it was time to preach.