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August 2008
Dear friends,
So he did, and behold, at a great distance, he saw a most pleasant mountainous country, beautified with woods, vineyards, fruits of all sorts, flowers also, with springs and fountains, very delectable to behold. Isa. 33:16, 17. Then he asked the name of the country. They said it was Immanuel's land…- “Pilgrim’s Progress”
The Lord has been faithful! We have entered the second half of the year,once again. and it is time to tell of the goodness of the Lord!
These past months I have felt like Pilgrim of Pilgrim’s Progress must have done, as he went along his way learning and discovering more with each new day, the cross behind him and his path before him.
Progress in Training Adults
I finally decided to try my hand than teaching adults once more. It was a daunting task, especially as I was immediately reminded of my first experience, but in March a training session (Teaching Children Effectively – TCE) was organised for Sunday School teachers at my church, Accra Chapel. I was asked to take part, and I was given two sessions to teach, namely, The Conversion of the Child and The Importance of the Teacher. I just committed myself to God and gave it my best. I performed creditably, if I say so myself! After the first lesson, one of the other teachers told me that everything I was saying was right on target, but I just needed to speak with more confidence. The second lesson was much smoother since I was more confident. Anytime there is another training session I will be ready to take up the challenge once again!
Progress in Teaching Children
Soon after, there was an opening to teach at another nursery school, Grace and Truth School, just adjacent to my house. It’s a small class of about fifteen children, which lets me get much closer to them, and I go there on Friday mornings. It was a little unsettling at first, getting used to both schools, but I’m more used to it now. At the moment schools are on holiday, so I am free, but I will resume when the term begins in September.
Progress in Building Bridges
I continue going to True Love School on Thursday mornings, and two months ago I noticed that a special child had been admitted to the school. His name is Sakyi. I really didn’t know how to reach him. He was so excitable and he wouldn’t sit down along with the other children. I didn’t know how much he would even understand, and the other teachers generally ignored him or would shout orders at him.
At first he wouldn’t come near me, but one day as I was telling the story, I noticed that he had come quite close to me. I extended my hand but he drew back sharply and went away again. Over the next two months I extended my hand over and over again as I was teaching but to no avail. The breakthrough came when three weeks before school vacated, I extended my hand and this time he reached out to take my hand. I drew him close and gave him a hug and a little kiss, and surprisingly he hugged me back! This stopped my story momentarily, and I heard ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from the stunned children; I told him he was my friend, and from that time he has followed me adoringly every time I come. It was a breakthrough for me, but I know the real work is only beginning. I took a picture with him sometime later. I'll soon upload it on Facebook and send the link.
The Bible says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! Phil 4:13! I have found a few more avenues for ministry that I will be exploring in the next few months. I am currently writing my thesis in preparation for my graduation from Trinity Theological Seminary in November, then I hope to go into ministry full time (Godwilling). I have learned many valuable lessons from my course and I want to make full use of it. I am very interested in counselling children, and I pray that God makes a way for me.
Please continue to bear me up in prayer for a stronger ministry.
Let the children come unto me, and do not hinder them - Jesus
Yours in Him,
Akos