Newsletter March 2009

A Tale of Two Cities

Once again my sister Marilyn and I went on an International School Project (ISP) trip to Guatemala, from February 11 through March 1, 2009. ISP is a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ that trains teachers how to use a values and morals curriculum based on the Bible and THE STORY OF JESUS FOR CHILDREN video.

CHIQUIMULA -- The site of our first training session was a town in the hot, dry, southern coastal area. About 360 primary and secondary teachers, student interpreters and administrators attended. For me the highlight of this conference was the strong interest in our curriculum, “Foundations of Christian Ethics.”

My interpreter taught English in three different schools and wanted the curriculum in English to use in his classes. I also offered him a bi-lingual Bible – he was thrilled because he had been looking for one.

One teacher had developed her own curriculum on honesty, loyalty, responsibility, etc. But before this conference her school would not allow her to use Bible verses. Now she has
permission and plans to use both her own lessons WITH Bible verses and the ISP curriculum. She is thrilled!

Three instructors in my group worked in a secondary school that trains over 250 future primary teachers. They loved their secondary curriculum but also wanted a copy of the primary materials so that they could train their students how to use them when they graduate. How exciting to see the movement multiply so quickly!

Another teacher named Orlando said repeatedly that he was so thankful that we came to teach about morals and values because that was the only way to change the lives of their children and then their country.

COBÁN – Located in a high mountain pine forest, this chilly and rainy city presented some different challenges. Saturday we drove up a bumpy, single-track road to a nearby village to show the latest version of the JESUS film called “Magdalena.” The pastor introduced the film in both Spanish and a Mayan language as the people gathered on the hillside under the stars, and afterwards we passed out versions of the “Four Spiritual Laws” booklet in the local dialect.

Monday had an interesting start -- “As a FIRST for an ISP conference, one of the Regional Education officials who opened our conference, also happens to be a Mayan priest. He gave a prayer and a poem to some unknown sun god in his opening comments today. It was totally unplanned, unannounced, and completely caught all of us off guard. However, the Regional Director himself [spoke] next to welcome the teachers and ISP, and he stated in his opening comments that "values must have a foundation and that foundation needs to be Christian.” [reported by conference MC Linda Dunshee]. I could sense a battle developing. Attendance was light the first day, but as word spread, more people came each day until the main auditorium was packed.

This week was hard for me. I was sick on Sunday, and then my new group was difficult too. Three of the men were very quiet and seemed ‘closed’ on the first day. But as the week progressed, they slowly warmed up. Two new ladies came the second day, but they jumped right in.

On the third day we make Bibles available for those who want them. Immediately one of these guys took leadership, asked how many wanted the Bible, then he went and got the Bibles for the whole group!

On the final day, my entire small group said they would use the curriculum. Of course, that does not end the challenge. Guatemalan Campus Crusade staff will do follow-up in both regions.

“This has changed my life and I will never be the same man again.” Rigoberto, small
group interpreter.