Training Teachers is Key

Last week, we left Chichicastenango before sunrise to drive nearly four hours over winding mountain roads to get to a soccer field in Chicaman, Quiche, Guatemlala.

No, it wasn’t a match up between famous soccer teams we were losing sleep over. It was a training sesson for a group of dedicated teachers who join together for training and class preparations with the Principe de Paz Gracia y Vida network of churches on the edge of the Cuchamantanes mountains.

When we arrived at the covered soccer field there was already a group of about 18 people assembled from villages around the area. Some of them had walked hours to be there because they believe that what they are doing is important–teaching and training the new generation of children in their churches.

After a breakfast and a Bible reading through Romans 11 and 12 led by Hans Juarez, the network leader in charge of discipleship for the children’s ministries; Michael led a workshop about key principles to include in children’s ministry (God’s Presence, God’s Word, Evangelism, and Opportunities to Serve). We taught techniques for learning Bible verses and involving the children and finished off with some key principles for organizing and keeping classrooms safe. The lessons were well received by the teachers who smiled and interacted as we taught these key principles.

Two of the Shead boys were along with Michael and our mission intern, Anna helped lead a game that illustrated how we can listen to God’s voice.

Was it worth it to drive nearly eight hours round trip to teach a group of teachers in the mountains? ABSOLUTELY! These teachers leave with encouragement, ideas, techniques and go back to their churches to teach with renewed excitement and joy that can impact those students and their churches and their communities and help bring the transforming power of Christ into their communities. That’s worth much more than I can describe!

We love that God has connected us with other ministries with whom we can come alongside and encourage their teachers and leaders.

In this case, the Principe de Paz Gracia y Vida teachers have already used our full Adventures in the Bible curriculum with 160+ stories. They are using other curriculum now, but we’re glad for the opportunity to encourage them to continue discipling the children who are in their churches.

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