Pampianitra

When I came to Mada as a missionary I didn’t think I would be teaching, leading Bible studies maybe, but not teaching in a formal classroom, but this morning that is just what I did.  One of the young adults in our Bible study group has been working hard to set me up with new groups to teach the Bible to.  It just so happens that they are through the medium of teaching English.  Two happen to be at his own high school and college.  He worked with the directors to allow me to come and teach once a week in their English clubs.  Both schools know that I will be using the Bible to teach and they are okay with it. 

As I got to the school at 8:00 I couldn’t help but have flash backs to my teaching days in the States.  I had a little bit of trouble finding the school on my own and had to walk across both campuses (the college and the high school) to get to the classroom.  Being all by myself and a tall white female I stood out.  I can’t even count the amount of whistles and bonjours (they always assume I’m French) I heard.

As I started class I felt a like I was in my element again as the teaching side of me kicked in.  After 6 years of being in front of a group of students it all felt familiar.  I really didn’t intend to be teaching here, and truthfully wanted to be done with teaching for a while, but somehow it follows me everywhere.  As I finished the class and exited with the students I realized how many more people will now know me around the streets of Toliara.  With a class of 50 or so 6^th-8^th graders I will likely hear my name a lot more often as I travel through town.  Already, I have started to hear my name from the guys in our Bible Study group, I guess I am now adding 50 more students.  After my final new group starts in a few weeks 100 students will be shouting my name wherever I go.  At least when people didn’t know my name I could ignore the whistles, but now, I’ll be stopping to talk every time I’m out.  I haven’t decided if this is a good thing or a bad thing.  In the States people don’t talk to each other when they go to the grocery store, here it’s expected.  I just hope it will add to my opportunities to witness. 

After stopping by the college director’s office to drop off my letter of intention to teach English and the Bible (they are more formal there) I walked back through to the high school to exit the compound.  I couldn’t help but realized that I would be teaching the Bible in a public school.  In the States this wouldn’t be allowed.  I am glad that in some ways Mada is behind the times.  I pray that the opportunity would not be wasted.       

Title translation: Teacher