Liberty Preparatory School

We were invited by Godsway, one of our Young Single Adults, to give a presentation at her school.  She teaches at Liberty Preparatory School in the village of Akrofoe Xenife.  We were given the freedom to choose the topic to be presented.  We decided to teach "Choose The Right" and "I Am A Child Of God".  These are 2 universally accepted ideas in the Christian world.  

 

 Sister Lyon and Godsway meeting the proprietor of  the school.  Ghanaians have an unusual custom when shaking hands.  Because the proprietor is working on new thatching for the roof, his hands are dirty, therefore to shake hands, he extends his wrist.

The inside of Godsway's classroom and her students.

 Liberty Preparatory teaching staff.

 When we arrived the children saw we had a camera, so they flocked to us to have their photos taken.  They love this and then giggle delightfully when they see their image on the camera screen.

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 Sister Lyon loved this little boy and wanted his picture, but every time we tried to get a photo of just him, the kids would all crowd around.  So Elder Lyon pointed the camera in a different direction and when the kids all went that way, he was able to get a picture of the boy alone because he was camera shy and not running with the children.

 Doorway of a classroom where the children are anxiously awaiting the morning assembly.  

 The proprietor, in the white hat, is calling the children to come.  On the left side of the photo you can see one of the thatched roofed classrooms.

 A bell rang and pandemonium broke out as children came from all over the school compound with their chairs and stools to gather under the big mango tree in the courtyard.

 They're in their chairs and waiting.  There were about 100 students ranging in ages from 3 on up.  In Ghana schools ages can vary a lot in each classroom.  Sometimes parents can afford to send their children to school every year, sometimes they cannot.  There are years the children have to wait until there is enough money to pay for the school fees.  That's why you'll see kids of all ages in classes.

 All schools require uniforms, so when a student doesn't wear one, they really stand out. 

 The assembly started with a prayer and then singing.  The children love to sing and this is Godsway leading them in a glorious rendition of "The Lord Is My Light".  A video of this song can be seen on our Facebook page.

 Sister Lyon teaching them to Choose The Right using a simplified version of the Ten Commandments.  For example, "Don't take anything that isn't yours".

 Elder Lyon teaching them they are each a Child Of God, He loves them very much.

 Then we taught them the song, "I Am A Child Of God" and gifted them this poster.

At the end of the assembly the children all started to sing an African song.  While they were singing students brought up different items and placed them on a table.  Sister Lyon was then asked to give a prayer of gratitude for the bounty the students provided.  Pineapple, okra, corn, gari, plantain and the nasty looking brown stuff that is used to start cooking fires.  We think it's made from palm kernels, but really, we have no idea.

We loved going to teach these young children small about some of our beliefs.  There is no separation of church and state here, every school has religious instruction as part of their curriculum.  They start the day with a prayer and a devotional.  On Wednesday's this school has a worship day, which we were privileged to be a part of.   Thank you so much Godsway for inviting us and for Liberty Preparatory School for allowing us to be there with such lovely students.