Monday, October 24, 2011

What Does Mathematics, Character Development, and a Christian Worldview all Have in Common?


Abigail Adams, the wife of the second U.S. President John Adams once said, “Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.”  This quote is a good summary of the events, which took place last week at BHM.  150 of Haiti’s teachers and leaders were here October 17 - 21.  Many months of planning and preparation were done to make this event possible.

The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) put on a conference for some teachers and leaders from a variety of Haitian schools.  The theme of this conference was, “A Recipe for an Effective Christian School.”  The special subject focus for the conference was mathematics, requested by the teachers and leaders.

Speakers from the U.S. and Canada traveled to Haiti to lead this conference.  Head educators in Haiti also lead some sessions throughout the conference.  Christian educators in Haiti and all over the world who teach in public schools use public curriculum.  The entire program in ACSI is to train teachers to think through their curriculum from a Christian worldview.  Throughout the week the teachers and leaders were taught that their personal life as well as professional life must be lived through a Christian worldview.  This is not only important for the teachers but also for their students.

The teachers have a huge opportunity to make a long lasting impact on their current students.  How are the teachers training their students to think Biblically?  How do you teach math with a Christian worldview?  Connie Mycroft, who was assisting with administration for the conference says, “The goal of ACSI is not to ‘devotionalize’ mathematics.  Rather, to train the teacher to marvel at the order of God and to teach the students that nothing happens by chance but is all orchestrated by the Creator.”
There was a great amount of Character molding that occurred this past week.  Pray that this change does not stop now that the teachers have left the conference.  Pray they carry the truths and principles to their students and their home.  Tuesday afternoon Joyce O. Baker, Associate Director for Academic Advancement with ACSI, had the teachers divide into groups to work through a math worksheet.
The purpose of this exercise was to stress to the teachers that they were to work in such a way that no one was left behind.  They could not move forward to the next problem until everyone in their group understood and agreed.  This was a new and exciting experience for many of the teachers.  Working in groups and a variety of other sessions taught the teachers a great deal about themselves as well as the students they interact with on a daily basis.
We are thankful for the opportunity to partner with great organizations like ACSI.  Continue to pray for the teachers and leaders of Haiti.  They have a huge mission field and we are so encouraged by their desire to teach Biblically.  As Abigail Adams said, learning is not attained by chance.  Pray the teachers and leader’s continue to train with diligence.  




Monday, October 17, 2011

Students Helping Students

Last week in the United States it was fall break for many schools.  Most students use fall break to sleep in and stay in their pajama's all day.  This was not in the schedule for Brent Frieden.  Brent is a high school Freshman from North Springs Alliance Church in Michigan.  Last week Brent used his fall break to travel with his Aunt Nancy and three other ladies to do some much needed organizing in the depots on the mission.


Brent's Aunt Nancy works for ABWE.  She has made several trips to Haiti since the earthquake and has made a huge impact in the medical supply storage depots.  This group spent many long hours organizing and sorting through mounds of boxes.  On Tuesday morning they took a special break from their physical labors and embarked on a journey.


Brent and his sister Kayla have partnered with their youth group from North Springs Alliance to raise money to support Smannley through the BHM child sponsorship program.  Smannley is a 4th grade student who attends a BHM school in Fermathe.  The journey for the team began by traveling to Smannley's house to meet her mother and other family members.


After arriving at the house the group walked up a steep muddy hill and were warmly greeted by the family of Smannley.  The group gave the family a variety of food items such as rice, beans, sugar, powdered milk, and cooking oil.  They also brought Smannley some toys and supplies for school.  It was great that the group went to visit her family before visiting Smannley at school.  She has quite a long walk to school and back so it would not have been possible for her to make the walk home with all of her gifts.


Brent and Kayla encourage each student in their youth group to give one dollar a month to support Smannley.  Brent brought a picture of his youth group to give to Smannley.  On the back of the picture was the name of the youth group and an explanation that the students were praying for and supporting Smannley.  It brought forth great smiles from Smannley as she learned that these students cared so much for her.


The child sponsorship program at BHM requires the donor to provide $25 a month to support the child.  This small donation covers a variety of expenses and benefits for the child and school.  Sponsors are encouraged to write letters to their child and begin a correspondence.  Letters and other small items such as ponytail holders, crayons, etc. can be sent in envelopes through the mail and do not have to go through customs.  Packages are not accepted due to the great expense of customs.


If you or anyone you know would like to be a part of this program please visit our website, http://www.bhm.org. 

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

School Time!

School has officially started here in Haiti!  Check out the blog post by the new missionaries here at BHM.


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