“Instant Acceptance” to Teach Values

A few weeks ago, I challenged one of university-graduate-but as-yet-jobless puppet team members, Hilda, to teach a VEC (Values Education Class) in her neighbourhood and encouraged her to recruit someone to be her assistant. She took my suggestion seriously and, much to my delight, mobilized her mother to be her assistant!  

Last week I kept my promise to accompany Hilda as she went to ask permission from the school her mother suggested they target—the A.S. Enfant Primary School, located walking distance from her home.  Neither of us knew anyone at the school—not even the name of the Head Teacher/Principal. After praying together, we stepped out in faith, found the guard at the school gate and asked if we could speak with the Head Teacher.  Without hesitation, he escorted us to her office, gave us a seat, and went to inform her of our presence.  Before too long, Madam Joan arrived and warmly welcomed us to her school.   

After introducing ourselves as coming from Scripture Union, her smile broadened.  Of course, the Values Education Class (VEC) program was new to her, but as we explained it briefly, asking her for an opportunity for Hilda and her mother to teach a pilot class, she accepted the idea without any hesitation. Quickly a P7 (grade 7) class was identified and before we knew what was happening, she was taking us to that class to meet the 50 plus pupils.  She then announced to them that the VEC would start the next morning!  And, except for the recorded songs on her phone not being loud enough for the class to hear, Hilda reported that it got off to a good beginning.  Praise God for the light of God’s Word shining in yet another school.  

This whole incidence revealed once again how open most schools are—the harvest field is ready to be harvested…but the laborers, volunteer values teachers, are so few. Pray with us for the Lord of the Harvest to send forth more laborers…like Hilda and her mother!