Anti-Bullying Week and International Day

This past week we had a school-wide anti-bullying campaign. Surveys, a poster contest, Bible lessons, essays, a focused chapel, skits from the student drama team, and lots of discussion made this one of the best anti-bullying strategies I’ve seen.

January 27th was probably one of my (Daesha) favorite days at AIS so far: International Day. Students were invited to wear the traditional clothing of their nation. When they came to school, each student was given a passport and then “traveled” to different countries throughout the school. Teachers, parents, and students presented different cultures through video clips, food, Tai-Kwan-Do, power points, crafts, pictures, artifacts, and anything else you can imagine. I (Daesha) led the presentation on Spain because John and I will be taking the seniors there in May for their senior trip. They helped me create a video for the presentation (for a grade, of course :-)). I taught some Spanish words. We also watched some YouTube flamenco, cranked up the volume, and danced along. We all gathered to eat lunch off of tables piled high with things I couldn’t pronounce. We watched a Korean drum performance and Ghanian dancing. Then the name of each country represented at our school was called out while anyone who claimed the country marched, skipped, or danced across the stage while carrying their flag. Below are just a few of the flags waved during this ceremony. I was awestruck by the privilege I have to be in this place and see so many beautiful people. I don’t know how I’ll go back to sameness after this. I LOVE the diversity of God’s world. 

John's board (students' words) after a
Bible lesson during Anti-Bullying Week.
(Eph. 4:29, 1 Thes. 5:11)

Elementary students representing
England and the USA.

I love to hear this talented Scottish student
read Shakespeare in class. :-)

Even the Pre-K students got involved.

A teacher (from Burkina Faso) prepares the
flags for the ceremony at the end of the day.

Traditional Ghanian Dance.

Ghana

Our beautiful and brilliant Indian.

The Japanese student on the far left
is one of the most talented young men
we have ever taught.

Our sweet-hearted, all-smiles Kenyans.

U ! S ! A !

Spiritual Emphasis Week (SEW)

In December, we were able to travel back to the States and see family and friends in Colorado, Texas, Kansas, and Missouri. The time was filled with laughter, joy, pain, and some tears - all normal emotions for missionaries (or anyone) in transitional phases of life. We got our fixes of Chipotle, Starbucks, cheddar cheese, hugs, and encouraging words, then headed back to Ghana on January 8th. 

We hit the ground running with Spiritual Emphasis Week, January 16th-20th. Rick and Mick, twin brothers from Alabama, began each morning of the week with comedy, games, worship music, and teaching on faith, parents, purity, and more. Friday morning was “Say So” (“Let the redeemed of the Lord SAY SO) and we were blessed to hear testimonies from students. Many of our students are from Christian families, but they talked about making the decision for themselves. Other students, in tears, admitted the need to forgive, obey, and express love to their parents. One young man stood up and said, “I don’t want to confuse anyone...I am a Muslim...But what you said...about eternity...I’ve been thinking about that a lot.” At the end of the week some of us teachers were convicted about the need for intentional discipleship for our students. We are using the spiritual high of this week as a springboard and starting our AIS small groups next Friday. Please pray for openness, authenticity, and spiritual hunger among our student body.

Teachers and students prayed in groups
one morning during SEW.

Mick and Rick were our
speakers/entertainers/leaders.

Fun, games, and worship all at the same time!