One of the most amazing things to watch and experience are the connections between what the students are learning in their coursework and their real-life experiences among the people of Zambia. On Monday/Wednesday/Friday of each week, students participate in classes and also work on coursework that they are completing in cooperation with faculty members (largely via the internet) back home on campus.
Our "African Literature and Culture" class just finished reading The Poisonwood Bible. This book was written by an American author and tellsthe story of a missionary family in Africa. Reading this book while experiecing the culture here opened our eyes to things we had previously not seen or thought about in a serious way. We will next be reading Things Fall Apart, written by an African author, that looks at the arrival of missionaries from the African vantage point.
The "International Servant Leadership" class is reading the book Pedadogy of the Oppressed by Paolo Friere, a classic text, that provides insights into the lives of people living in poverty. We have been able to share real-life examples that bring the reading of the text into new focus.
Our "Team Leadership" class met today for lunch with the pastors of the Wesleyan churches in Choma to explore how we might be of better service to them during our time here. Again, the lessons learned from their leadership texts have taken on new and personal meaning for each of these students.
Others are actively engaged in writing journals, preparing research papers relevant to their stay here and the issues faced by the people of Zambia, participating in practica alongside WHZ staff and local pastors, and teaching in the schools are part of coursework in the Education Division. It's all good!
We thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement.
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2 comments:
It is really exciting to hear the connections you are making with your coursework. We are so encouraged about all of the work you all are doing there for the Kingdom.
Glad to see you are reading some ... cautionary tales for white folks, as those titles appear to be. "First, do no harm" should be used by those in relief and development as well as medicine. All great reads you got there.
I'd keep going with Barbara Kingsolver when y'all get home.
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