Today was the first day of vacation bible school! In the morning we met the field staff of Orchard:Africa and then bussed over to the pre-school class in Top Village. Top Village was the first sponsored village by Orchard:Africa. A shanty town of 8,000 people, Top Village is located in a vacant lot next to an upscale neighborhood of government officials. With a cultural history of inequality and lack of educational opportunities the community struggled to feed their families and care for their sick.
Today we were inspired by 21 shining pre-school faces in a colorful and clean classroom, recently built by Orchard:Africa through their sponsorships. We told the story of creation, taught them a song about animals and while identifying habitats of various animals were told by one precocious boy, very clearly and in English, that the animal who lived in a spiderweb was SPIDERMAN!
In the afternoon we headed back to the tin sided church in Dihatswane for VBS. As a former substitute teacher, I can attest that I have never seen such a well behaved group of kids. Our entire group reflected that each of the students at their table was friendly, kind and helpful. We sang songs and they were amazed when Devon pulled out his iPad guitar and wireless speaker to accompany our theme song for the week. We colored, we laughed, we played tag and said a prayer of thankfulness. A seamless day thanks to the efforts of every member of the combined Victory and Orchard:Africa team. God gave us, although almost total strangers, all the right personalities to make VBS a breeze.
You would think that was enough, but considering the church where we held VBS is across the street from the game preserve, we saw even more animals up close along the fence today than during the tour yesterday; at least 15 giraffes, as well as many Kudu, Springbok, Gemsbok, Ostrich and all manner of horned beasts!
Is the tin shed at the Dihatshwane school new or is this the building that the Grade R was meeting in last year? Pastor Mpho said last year that he believed God would provide a church building for them before we returned. Amazing! Papa Joe has more energy than the Energizer Bunny!!!(JK)
ReplyDeleteIt's a new building on the far west side of town near the highway! They were given a large piece of land by the village chief and next week an American architect is coming to suggest some possibilities for a community center building! Pastor Mpho is working hard!
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