Today Julia my oldest daughter turned 18 in Guatemala
Today Julia, my oldest daughter turned 18
April 8, 2017
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Adoption and the Cross
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Teaching others to teach others.

Teaching others to teach others in Guatemala
 
 
 

Teaching others to teach others in Guatemala.

The greatest gift any teacher can have is not just for his students to understand and learn what he is teaching, but for them to turn around and share that knowledge with others.

We were blessed to see that happen last month.

Watch the video below to find out more.

Over the eight years that we have served at the orphanage Fundañinos, a primary focus of our ministry has been to impart the truth, knowledge, and understanding of scripture to the children. Through Bible classes, devotionals, small groups, summer camps, and VBS’s we have done this time and time again. Christ tells us in Matthew 5:19 that if you want greatness in the Kingdom of God, it comes from both practicing and teaching His commandments.

In praying and looking for an opportunity for the teenagers at the home to serve others, we decided to open the door for them to not just be involved, but to lead a service project at our community center in Colonia Santa Fe.

Sharie took some time to plan the program and explained to them how the “VBS” would work and divide the responsibilities between the youth. Our theme this year has been Psalm 23, and knowing God as our good shepherd. After that it was completely up to them to learn the content, prepare the material, organize the activities and lead the program for 33 second and third graders that participate in our program in Colonia Santa Fe.

orphans serving

For kids living in an orphanage, life can often be somewhat isolated. Most of them live, play, go to school, and interact almost entirely with the other children at the orphanage. Merely engaging with kids from another environment is sometimes awkward. Asking them to step outside of their comfort zone to lead a class, hold a mic, explain verses, and organize games was a big, but much needed, step forward.


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Needless to say, they did amazing! While many of them were a little shy at first, as the program moved on, their confidence built. Each of them had learned their part of the class correctly. No one got stage fright or refused to participate and many of them demonstrated assurance and boldness as they engaged with the children. In truth they did a wonderful job.

It is one thing to be taught God’s word, it is quite another to teach it. There is something about explaining something we have learned to others that helps to reinforce it in our own minds.

Surgical residency programs often utilize the philosophy of “See one, Do one, Teach one”, and we have found this to be an effective methodology in our work as well.


orphans serving

The part that I loved the most and what really touched me, was seeing the students help the little kids with their crafts. Assisting with cutting, coloring, the lending of their artistic talent, the willingness to get involved as the small children came up to them for help, and watching them make friends, smile and laugh with children they had only just met, filled me with joy.

 
 
 
Timothy Martiny
Timothy Martiny
Missionary in Guatemala serving the orphaned, vulnerable and disabled.