I know I still have to post about all that happened at St. Thomas Moore, but will do that over the next several days. Instead, I want to summarize what we did today while it is still fresh in my mind. Today we focused on visiting different projects in which WVU is engaged in the Koro-Bobi ADP area. The first stop was at a church in Palanga where about 10 pastors had gathered to meet with us and give testimony to the Theological Education by Extension (TEE) training that they have received through WVU. Many pastors have no theological education. WVU is committed to providing this education and the pastors who had gathered at the church shared their stories about how helpful the education has been for them, helpful in very practical ways. It is providing resources for them to help counsel spouses and families, for example and several pastors shared stories in this area. Another pastor said that he could not speak well in public because he had so many fears. It was surprising to hear him say this because he had the voice of a radio announcer.
As a sidebar, this church is the church that I attended three or four years ago. When I attended, the church was meeting outside under a tree because their sanctuary had recently burned down. They were in the process of collecting money to build another church. If you look at the pictures in Lower Nelson of me christening a child, this is the church where that happened. The new building is lovely and is supposed to be finished in September.
After this meeting we headed out to visit a family that one of the pastors at the meeting had helped as a result of the training. The family lived pretty far out in the bush, so it took a while to get there. After we arrived, the husband shared his story. He had abused alcohol for many years, was not providing for his family and separated from his wive, his children were frightened by him, and he was disliked by his village. The pastor would put him on his bike and bring him home after he was in a drunken stupor or if he didn't have a bike would walk him home. He did this for a long time. Ultimately, the man surrendered his life to Christ, became sober, and as a result of the counseling this man received from the pastor who had received the TEE, he was reconciled with his wife and children. The whole family had gathered for the meeting and you could tell that something good was going on. We all experienced the power of his testimony.
From there we visited a widow with two children who has benefited from a WBU micro-finance program. She is now running three businesses as a result of the loan. A WVU staff worker gave an overview of the program and then the woman, Susan, share a little bit of what she is doing and how it has worked for her. We were all impressed with her drive and business skills. Not far down the road was another woman who benefited from a program that WVU initiated that helps women learn to sew. They provide a sewing machine, teach the women to sew and then the women can begin to earn the money that will support them and their families financially. The dignity and financial means that these programs provide is evident.
The last activity of the day was going to the bead making co-op that WVU helped fund. There must have been 15 to 20 women showing their jewelry and we all stocked up on necklaces and bracelets. Again, I was struck by the industry of the women and the dignity that this business has given them.
We had dinner at 6:00 pm with all of the Koro-Bobi staff. Each of us shared how this trip had impacted us and some of the staff shared their experience hosting us. Arthur gave a concluding speech and we said our good-byes. I have to admit that I was teary as we said our good-byes. I have grown to love the staff and their work, and it was hard for me to say good-bye. It has been a great trip.
As a sidebar, this church is the church that I attended three or four years ago. When I attended, the church was meeting outside under a tree because their sanctuary had recently burned down. They were in the process of collecting money to build another church. If you look at the pictures in Lower Nelson of me christening a child, this is the church where that happened. The new building is lovely and is supposed to be finished in September.
After this meeting we headed out to visit a family that one of the pastors at the meeting had helped as a result of the training. The family lived pretty far out in the bush, so it took a while to get there. After we arrived, the husband shared his story. He had abused alcohol for many years, was not providing for his family and separated from his wive, his children were frightened by him, and he was disliked by his village. The pastor would put him on his bike and bring him home after he was in a drunken stupor or if he didn't have a bike would walk him home. He did this for a long time. Ultimately, the man surrendered his life to Christ, became sober, and as a result of the counseling this man received from the pastor who had received the TEE, he was reconciled with his wife and children. The whole family had gathered for the meeting and you could tell that something good was going on. We all experienced the power of his testimony.
From there we visited a widow with two children who has benefited from a WBU micro-finance program. She is now running three businesses as a result of the loan. A WVU staff worker gave an overview of the program and then the woman, Susan, share a little bit of what she is doing and how it has worked for her. We were all impressed with her drive and business skills. Not far down the road was another woman who benefited from a program that WVU initiated that helps women learn to sew. They provide a sewing machine, teach the women to sew and then the women can begin to earn the money that will support them and their families financially. The dignity and financial means that these programs provide is evident.
The last activity of the day was going to the bead making co-op that WVU helped fund. There must have been 15 to 20 women showing their jewelry and we all stocked up on necklaces and bracelets. Again, I was struck by the industry of the women and the dignity that this business has given them.
We had dinner at 6:00 pm with all of the Koro-Bobi staff. Each of us shared how this trip had impacted us and some of the staff shared their experience hosting us. Arthur gave a concluding speech and we said our good-byes. I have to admit that I was teary as we said our good-byes. I have grown to love the staff and their work, and it was hard for me to say good-bye. It has been a great trip.
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