Mission to Bethel Academy and Glory Community Church

August 20th and 21st were spent doing Ministry at Bethel Academy Primary School and at Kitere Glory Community Church.

On Wednesday the 20th we received a warm welcome at the Bethel Academy school, as we spoke to Classes 6, 7 & 8 on the topics of "Discipline" and "Academic Excellence". This was our first visit to Bethel and we were greatly encouraged by the reception, questions and enthusiasm of the students and staff.

I facilitated in the first session teaching on Discipline. Working with students, we have learned that the word "discipline" is most often associated with punishment. While punishment is certainly one aspect of discipline, we wanted the students to have a correct understanding of the word, it's meaning and its benefit to their personal development.

With that goal, we discussed the root meaning of the word discipline as "instruction for the benefit of the recipient". We then challenged the students to look at discipline from this perspective and to think of it as "doing the right thing, at the right time, in the right place, with the right motive/attitude and for the right reason".

Some simple illustrations to help the kids understand this concept were those of brushing your teeth, not sleeping in class and obeying school rules. We asked them "who benefits when you brush your teeth....stay alert in class and obey school rules?". These simple disciplines do not benefit parents, teachers or school administration although they are the authorities charged with "instructing" the students. The students then had fun reviewing some of the school rules and talking about how each rule benefited either the student individually, or the student body as a whole.

We also discussed God's purpose and goal for discipline. Although several scripture was quoted, Hebrews 12:6-10 sums it up telling us "the Lord disciplines those He loves.....for our own good". In light of this truth, punishment, when given as a method of instruction with love being the foundation, can be received without rebellion and help us develop good moral behaviour.

William then spoke to the students about ways to achieve "Academic Excellence". This was a timely subject since these students were in school that week for "holiday tuition" which is additional learning not within the mandatory school term, conducted during the school holidays.

As a foundation to this session, he emphasized the following truth:

1) God is the ultimate source of true wisdom, understanding and Knowledge

2) God has uniquely gifted each individual with different gifts, talents and even intellectual abilities.

3) A person's value and worth in God's standards neither depends on his/her abilities, gifts and talents, nor in how they make use of the same

4) God's unconditional love is the same both for the high, medium and low academic achievers

He went on to give the students some practical tips including the following:

1) Ask God for wisdom

2) Have a personal study plan and follow it

3) Plan to have adequate sleep and play

4) Don't be afraid to ask questions

5) Be wholly attentive in class

6) Develop a positive attitude towards your teachers, your subjects and the school

7) Actively participate in study groups

8) Have a vision for yourself

9) Embrace discipline

He further encouraged them to believe that God has a plan and a purpose for each of them, and that He has uniquely gifted each individual in a way that will help them accomplish His purpose for their lives.

That evening we attended the Glory Community Church Convention for a night of praising God, testimonies and sharing of the Word. The Convention, which ran from August 19th to the 24th, was a gathering of various churches, pastors and people from the local community and surrounding areas.

Pastors from as far away as Mombasa attended and many people came arriving on foot, motor-bikes and bicycles.

The next morning we attended the 6am devotion and then in the afternoon I conducted a teaching session on the Holy Spirit. Siting that many people are confused about the purpose and function of the Holy Spirit, and that an improper understanding diminishes our ability to access the "power" of the Spirit, I used scripture to answer the following questions:

• "Who is the Holy Spirit?"
• "What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit?"
• "How are we filled by the Holy Spirit?"
• "How does the Holy Spirit manifest in our lives?"

Since most of those in attendance spoke Luo, William enjoyed the opportunity to join me and translate the teaching session. Later that evening we attended the Worship service and were greatly blessed by the singing, preaching and time of fellowship.

Even though this mission trip was very short, we are grateful for the new friends we made and the opportunity we had to celebrate the love of our Lord Jesus Christ with others.

Blessings to all,

Denise