The Musings of a "Teacher"

June 17.17

The Musings of a “Teacher”

When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up. This desire remained with me into high school. In a science class one day (one of my least favorite subjects) I imagined myself as the teacher.  I wonder why that was. The subject was physics. The only reason I was in the class was I had to choose between physics, chemistry, and biology. I loved math so I thought physics was my best science option.  As I sat dreaming of exchanging places with Mr. Russell, it definitely wasn’t the subject that inspired me.  Instead, I think it was the teacher.  I remember he seemed very interested in the material he was presenting and in the students. He used a variety of teaching techniques, not just lecturing, which helped make the class interesting.  But perhaps the most important thing I remember was Mr. Russell’s reputation.  I recall him as a well-respected man throughout the school and in the community.  I recall how often he would be seen connecting with students after class. 

As most of you know, I did not chase my dream of becoming a teacher.  Instead I pursued a spiritual journey and became a preacher.  I followed an inner conviction, a divine calling from God. I have no regrets, for many reasons.  One, not surprisingly, is that as a Salvation Army Officer, I have many opportunities to teach.  I do not have the academic credentials to own the title ‘teacher’.  I have, however, exercised the role or practice of teaching - in Bible studies and sermons, facilitating small group discussions and workshops, training and developing emerging leaders (including Camp Staff), and a couple years ago I tutored a group of women officers in leadership coaching.  However successful or unsuccessful these have been, I have enjoyed 'living my dream' and hopefully been useful to a few ‘students’.

In my current role in Kenya, I am grateful that I still get to teach a little.  The appointment I have exceeds the ministry associated with the Women’s Department – as important and meaningful as that is. It also includes a leadership role with Morris. One of our joys is participating in Officers Councils and speaking at the Officer Training College. I was thrilled when I knew that both the Councils and the OTC Spiritual Days are formatted as teaching times. We choose our own subjects and both of us present (teach). Like the example Mr. Russell set for me, I am very interested in the subject matter we share and I have a deep desire to see the ‘students’ grow and develop. We have been so blessed to stand before groups of officers and Cadets who seem very eager to learn. Many of them have been keen to interact and have engaged well in a Q & A at the end of the sessions. They also like hanging out after class. :)

The two subjects we are exploring with the officers are servant leadership and accountability. For the first subject, we have gleaned insights from the writings of Commissioner Robert Street and Henri Nouwen, though our greatest resource has been the Bible – the life and leadership of Jesus.  Servant leadership is modeled for us clearly there. It is also the leadership style Morris and I have sought to emulate over the past 23 years and one we believe is the plumb line for Salvation Army Officers.  Accountability follows that. It is the means through which all leaders are answerable for their actions, attitudes, and behaviors. We are finding helpful reflections in a book called Spiritual Renewal from IHQ but once again the Bible is our default source.  For me, accountability is more than just a buzz word for the Army right now. It is a deep conviction that Christian behavior and spiritual leadership should seep with transparency and integrity.  One day we will stand before God who will judge our living. We need to be alert and responsible.  After living in Kenya for nearly six months, I can see where servant leadership and accountability are relevant.  However, I believe these are globally germane.

As I prepare and present these topics, my prayer is that I will not belong to the crowd of religious leaders that Jesus chastised in Matthew 23 because “they do not practice what they preach” (or teach). I want to own any lesson I give to others. 

So, back to my grade 11 Science class. Thanks Mr. Russell for being a good example. Your teaching skills and interest in your students have not left me.  Perhaps I will inspire someone listening to me someday - even if they are day dreaming. And more than anything, I hope the person I am will always mean more than just what I do. 

 Morris and I visiting one of our schools. 
I don't think they would want me to teach here,

but they loved the visit. 

Peace

June 02, 2017

Peace

This morning I woke early and spent some time on our front veranda. It was a beautiful morning. Birds were singing. Grass is so green with the rainy season here.  The blue sky was pretty perfect with the early morning sun peeking through the trees that surround our house. The warm rays reaching my lawn chair. A sweet morning to sit quietly,  enjoy a good cup of tea, and review my Bible lesson that I would share at Officers Councils today.  As I sit, I feel the word ‘peace’ rising up within me.  Perfect peace. It’s so tranquil. I even ventured to consider it paradise. Perhaps similar to the garden of Eden – before the Fall.  In my heart I think - “isn’t this what we all desire?” Peace. A ceasing of what brings us turmoil, sorrow, pain or confusion.  An end to conflict, tragedy, terrorism, disease, poverty, corruption. Peace. Peace in our land. Peace in our hearts. Peace in our homes.

Here in Kenya, the election campaign for a new President is now ramping up and is quite visible. Every day we see and hear noisy buses and trucks combing the city with loud speakers blaring the promises of politicians, and causing more than usual chaos for traffic.  Today in Kakamega there is a significant political rally happening. The leader of the National Super Alliance party (the Opposition) is here. Our drive to Kakamega Citadel at 9:00 a.m. showed evidence of the preparation.  During our return drive at 2:00 pm we were stuck for a while in a congested traffic jam as hundreds of extra people had come for the rally.  The venue for the event was the city’s new Stadium that is still under construction. We were surprised (though I guess we should not have been) that it was being used even though the new structure is not completed.  From our car we could see crowds of people sitting or standing on risers and other wooden structures that looked fragmented. We hoped they would stay safe.

In some ways, this campaign is no different than the ones at home - opposing parties making promises to secure votes. There are two major concerns here though. 1. Will this election be peaceful or violent?  2. Will this election make any difference in this developing country? The first concern is based on the history that there can be riots and violence associated with such campaigns as evidenced by the 2013 and 2007 elections. We are praying that this year it will be peaceful so that vulnerable and innocent people will not be injured, or worse, killed. The second concern can only be tempered with hope that life will eventually improve for the Kenyan people.  Let’s believe that someday there will be better infrastructure for road ways, that everyone will have access to clean water and food, that education will not be hindered due to poverty, and that a higher standard of health care will be available, all of which are desperately needed for people’s basic human rights to be met.

My morning quiet time was a blessing to me but I could not forget that just outside the compound gate is a world that needs much peace. So I turn to the prayer of St. Francis:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.