Throughout my week at the Church of Uganda diocese in Kotido
I have the privilege of entering four different primary schools to give
leadership to their Scripture Unions. Scripture Unions are like Bible clubs for
children; typically the union has a teacher who leads them (patron) and various
students who take other responsibilities such as organizing the desks and
cleaning off the chalk board. However, here in Kotido these clubs have very
little structure, and at times are completely nonexistent.
As a part of the Education Office I have been able to help
these Scripture Unions get started; giving them a model of what a good meeting
could potentially look like, and teach them some new songs and Bible lessons in
the process. Most of the schools I visit are within walking distance to the
Church of Uganda diocese where I serve; so, at the end of my work day I grab my
MCC guitar, songs written on large sheets of paper that I sticky tack to the
chalk boards, and a short Bible lesson with an illustration.
I enjoy every aspect of Scripture Union, but one particular
highlight of each meeting is setting up for the program. As I begin tacking up
my songs, or enter the school compounds, and even as I am walking down the
road; the kids see me and begin singing the songs I have taught them. One
afternoon some kids actually started doing cartwheels and flips when I entered
the compound, I try not to let the admiration go to my head.
Scripture Union always begins with about fifteen minutes of
singing. I attempt to have a good mix of songs; songs they have grown up
singing, and songs that I grew up singing in the States. Then we move into a
short time of Bible study; throughout this year we have discussed the story of
Daniel in the lion’s den, the parable of the prodigal son, Paul’s conversion on
the road to Damascus, the feeding of the 5,000, and many others. We conclude
our time with more singing and a short prayer.
What amazes me the most about these meetings are the number
of kids who are interested in participating. The four schools I am attending
differ in their size, but my average scripture union has over 100 participants
(the largest being 300+ students.) I have never seen so many smiles, heard such
enthusiastic singing, and felt such inspiration from the Lord.
Before I plan the week’s lesson plan for my Scripture Unions
I always pray that God will direct my words and thoughts so the message will be
untainted by my own agenda. God has never failed me. What an honor to serve the
Church in this way, what an honor to be a small part of these student’s lives,
what a blessing to serve our God.
Abraham Heschel once said, “Just to be is a blessing. Just
to live is holy.” Every time I enter a school for Scripture Union I grasp this
statement a little more. Living in Kotido has included a lot of “be-ing”. But, this observation period has been a blessing,
a blessing I will never fully comprehend the impact of. Finally, I am realizing
more fully than ever, my day to day life is “holy”--drawing me closer to the
person God has intended for me to become from the beginning.
Photos from two of the Scripture Unions I help with:
Scripture Union at Kotido Mix
Scripture Union at Kotido Army Primary
Scripture Union at Kotido Army Primary
