At the same time as the student
strike, two teachers left BESS for better-paying teaching positions
at a new teachers training college being established in Dembi
Dollo. Again, part-time teachers from the large public high school
in town were hired. The directorship of this school is now in
question, as our able director of two decades nears his retirement.
And the two women from the Finnish Lutheran Mission, who have
taught for 29 and 24 years, will retire at the end of this school
year. Their expertise in the fields of biology and chemistry has
pushed our physical science students far ahead on national exams.
Finally, there is still no English teacher recruited to replace
me. Thus the questioning, “Dear God, what are you saying
to us? What are you doing and why? What is your plan for the future
of this country, her people and this institution?” This
much I can say, “God’s plans are being worked out
and can not be thwarted. Where God’s Spirit is at present,
there is always hope.” And even within the last two weeks,
good discussions between BESS administrators, teachers, and our
synod officials are moving us towards solutions for some of these
problems.
In fact, all around us there are signs of hope. The brown hills
that surround us have turned green again from life-giving seasonal
rains. Expected harvests prompt people to give thanks of God readily.
Sunday by Sunday, churches are overflowing with worshippers drawn
to hearing God’s word.
And the students who leave their imprint on the life of this
school are remarkable. Take Nehemiah, who ranked first in his
12th grade this year and was chosen to express thanks to the school
community. He started with Jesus, moved to the teachers, and ended
by saying, “And students, we want to leave this final message
with you. Don’t play around with sex. Keep yourselves free
from AIDS by avoiding sex outside of marriage.”
Or take Teklu, who has remained at school to fulfil his scholarship
duties as librarian’s assistant while all his 12th grade
classmates left school after taking their placement exams. He
came to the Drug Abuse Club recently to be interviewed as a BESS
role model. “Why is it important for you to be drug-free?
What is the hardest part about school?” he was asked. “Peer
pressure,” he said. “There’s always pressure
to leave one’s academic goals and move into a different
direction.” He knows from first-hand experience. A growing
threat to the youth of this town is chewing chat, a stimulant
being used at an alarming new rate. This addiction leads to petty
theft, which is also on the rise at school and in the town. The
maturity of Teklu’s responses, based on solid faith and
exampled in his life of wholesome character and academic excellences,
give hope for BESS and the nation.
Cordially,
JoAnn Griffith
The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
51 |
