We were very happy with how the training went. We continue to be amazed at how fast this set of CHE Trainers has picked up on the concepts we're teaching, which is always an encouragement. We've been making changes to our lessons and teaching style based on our experience with our first set of CHE Trainers. So we were also encouraged that Tonny, one of our first CHE Trainers and our translator for this TOT2, said he could see the difference in approach and that he thought it was helping people to better understand.
So we didn't take any time getting back into the swing of things after Christmas holidays. Right after New Years we were preparing for our next CHE training, and from January 6th to January 11th the Aruu Archdeaconry CHE Trainers came for TOT2! We were very happy with how the training went. We continue to be amazed at how fast this set of CHE Trainers has picked up on the concepts we're teaching, which is always an encouragement. We've been making changes to our lessons and teaching style based on our experience with our first set of CHE Trainers. So we were also encouraged that Tonny, one of our first CHE Trainers and our translator for this TOT2, said he could see the difference in approach and that he thought it was helping people to better understand. TOT2 is mostly about teaching methods -- how to teach adults, how to use and write lesson plans, and learning from how Jesus himself taught -- as well as how to choose the first CHE community and get the ministry started after TOT3. We were happy to see so many of the CHE Trainers from TOT1 able to return, though one of them couldn't come because he had typhoid! One of the fun things we did during the week was have a song writing competition. The participants were encouraged to write an educational song about how to prevent malaria, and we were blown away by the number of people who participated. We though maybe two or three people would write a song, but in the end thirteen people (more than half of the group!) wrote a song for the competition. We all had a blast listening to the songs and judging them. Patrick received a bar of White Star soap for the winning song, and, because the participation was so good, Alfred and John Bosco both got half a bar of blue soap because they tied for second place. Alfred was a crowd favourite, because he used a traditional Acholi style for his tune.
1 Comment
On this day, the post worker in Pader came back from Christmas in the village and delivered us a pile of Christmas cards! It will take us a couple days to thank all the senders personally, but let us extend our group "thank you so much!' here and now! It was such a delight!
Also on this day last year (and at about this time at night) our flight got into Entebbe airport, Uganda. And so, this day marks 1 year in Uganda. On this day, we also worked 16 hours as we're in the middle of CHE TOT2! So with that, we bid you all a good night, and God's blessings. Late last month, Marianne celebrated her first African birthday - and so we had a party and invited our Pader friends for cake and soda! Now this cake was very special, because it was the first time we've had the chance to bake our *own cake* - thanks to our friend and neighbour Alice who has an oven! And so what cake did we make, you might ask? None other than Mary Reed's Best Ever Chocolate Cake! (seriously, make it if you haven't already!). The cake was delicious by the way...(Thank you forever, Mary, if you're reading, for that recipe!) The only thing about the cake was that for some reason Marianne had quite a lot of difficulty blowing out the candles. We have photographic evidence, but since I (Marianne) am the one who updates this blog, I can choose not to post it! Haha! We had an all-day Alpha training the same day as the birthday, so we had the party in the evening, and then had our own private celebration the next evening. Marianne thought this was fine and acceptable, since she reasons it was the next day in Africa, if you consider she was born just before midnight in Canada! The food was so very delicious! Pumpkin soup to start, avocado salad next, then curry chicken stew on cumin rice and irish potatoes with ratatouille, finished off by a banana custard dessert. Here's our recommendation for the Alarm Technical School Guesthouse in Pader! Post-birthday, we went to Gulu to get a water filter for the CHE Ministry. While we were in Gulu, we decided to look for a bicycle for Marianne, as family from home sent some money along with birthday greetings. We felt very fortunate to find a very good second-hand ladies' bicycle - a Schwinn no less! (Thanks so much!) Thank you to all the family and friends here in Pader and back home who sent their birthday wishes. I was blessed!
|
PrayerIf you feel a burden to become a prayer partner, please email us and we can add you to our prayer circle. Archives
October 2021
|