A day in the schools...

So just what do we do on Mondays? "No Apologies" Abstinence teaching! With an early start, we pack up the car with all the technology and pick up Mendy our assistant from YFC and drive 40 minutes to a rural school. Upon arriving at the school, Mendy and I set up for an outdoor assembly while Nathan finds the principle to check in. Assemblies are fun just to watch the faces of the younger kids. This week Nathan told the story of Jonah and explained that God is a god of second chances... always willing to give us another chance when we come to Him and ask for forgiveness. With hands raised, the children agreed to give God the opportunity to forgive their sins and accept His help to behave right the next time.

In the classroom, this week was Grade 7B (next week 7A). Starting out with a challenge to the boys to respect the girls, Nathan took them aside while I had a girl to girl chat. After watching a video giving testimonies of the spiritual, physical and emotional consequences of premarital sex... Nathan quizzed them on what they learned. They told us that if they use a condom they have a 50/50 chance of contracting HIV or getting pregnant and that is their biggest concern... well, now we know what to put the emphasis on! We spent the rest of the day involving them in activities to improve their self esteem, get some understanding of the difference between lust and love, learn how to say no to negative peer pressure, obtain knowledge of the consequences of premarital sex, and sign a pledge to abstain from sexual relationships until marriage.

During the break Nathan had the pleasure of serving lunch and just hanging with some of the students. Building relationships with them for the next time we teach. This school is funded by an overseas NGO, and so food is provided for each child.

Our final message... just like Jonah, if any of them have made poor choices, God gives us second chances and from now we are able to do all things through Christ who strengthens us!